The Manger Mission: A Family Christmas Tradition is a story told through the eyes of playful, reminiscing Wise Men, now part of a family's nativity set, as they anticipate Christmas each year while reflecting on their first journey to meet Jesus. Each morning leading up to Christmas, the children in the family choose a place for the Wise Men as they journey through their home, every day moving them closer to the nativity where they can once again see baby Jesus. On Christmas morning, the children return the Wise Men to the nativity as part of their family's Christmas morning tradition.

Advent is about beginning with the end: preparing for the final stage of God's new mission that resulted from our mission failure. For many of us, Advent is the launching pad to Christmas morning; a twenty-four-day countdown to stockings and presents. We don't think about Advent as first being about the second coming. After all, it's been two millennia since Christ was born, crucified, rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and sent the Holy Spirit. And for two thousand years, we've been living somewhere between forgetting about or fretting over his return. John 3:16-17 gives us Christ's mission: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it" (1996 NLT). Jesus' silent-night arrival in the manger is the first part of that mission. His trumpet-blasting arrival in the clouds is the last part. Taking the two seasons together, Omar Rikabi shows how preparing for this kind of Advent before we celebrate Christmas is how we get in on God's rescue mission.

IT’S TIME Journey with Jesus from His Manger to His Mission: the Unrecorded Years By: Charlotte Kramer Magdalene looked at Jesus and knew when she was in His presence there was something different about His character. There was a loving atmosphere that seemed to actually change the physical environment that surrounded Him. The grasses became greener, the blades became stronger, the blooms more colorful and the flowers smelled sweeter. Magdalene was caught up in an ethereal realm where she felt like she was too exquisite for the world she was in… and she was absolutely sure Jesus was too perfect for this world. She gazed at Him and she realized it was He who made her feel that way. It’s Time gives the reader a greater understanding of conflicting politics on the lips of first-century Jerusalem citizens and Jewish principles in a Roman world. This book shines new light on the Magi and their interpretation of the heavenly spheres as it pertained to the birth of Jesus and their duty to Jesus while He was a youth. It offers a broader understanding of Joseph of Arimathea and the role he played in the life of Jesus. Through this new light, the reader has a greater understanding of Jesus as a youth. The scriptures are silent on these missing years, and it is time to sift out a logical, although imaginary, life surrounding Jesus as a youth that He could have lived in the first-century world.

An original Christmas fable about when Santa first learns about Jesus' message of grace.Unexpectedly, Santa finds himself on a his own spiritual and philosophical journey full of humour, self-reflection, wonder and redemption.Complemented by the beautiful and engaging illustrations of Matt Boutros, this book hopes to inspire many a conversation about faith, philosophy and the messages of Christmas, between adults and children alike.

Martin Luther's conception of the Nativity found expression in sermon, song, and art. This beautiful gift edition of a classic collection combines all three.

What impact did Jesus' mother have on his earthly life? Mothers Around the Manger examines the lives of Tamara, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, Elizabeth, Mary and Anna, Jesus' "great-grandmothers", his female forebears and how they influenced Jesus' ministry. Allen reflects on the significance of these women in the larger story of Jesus and in our changing global needs of today. At a time in history where race, class, national and religious barriers are being reexamined and re-imagined, the lesson Jesus' mothers provide us with are important building blocks for the coming millennium. J. Timothy Allen is the minister of St. Johns New Mission United Church of Christ, Burlington, NC. He is author of numerous magazine, journal and newspaper articles and two books, Seasons in the Year and When the Season is Dry.

The greatly anticipated third volume of Pope Benedict's already internationally bestselling examination of the life of Jesus Christ and His message for people today. This renowned theologian, biblical scholar and Pastor of over a billion Roman Catholics helps us to rediscover the essence of the Christian Religion.

Christmas is best pondered, not with logic, but with imagination. In the mystery of Christmas we find its majesty. The mystery of how God became flesh, why he chose to come, and how he must love his people. Such mysteries can never be solved, just as Love can never be diagrammed. Three Christmas novellas: An Angel’s Story, The Christmas Candle, The Christmas Child A charming collection centered around the love and mystery of Christmas Perfect for reading aloud and spreading quick holiday cheer

Journey to the Manger explores the New Testament’s various accounts of the birth of Jesus: their origins in Old Testament prophecies, the genealogies, the angelic announcements, the journeys and arrivals, and the aftermath of Jesus’ birth for the powerful and the poor alike. Engaging seriously with biblical and historical criticism, Paula Gooder uncovers key similarities running through the Gospel writers’ accounts and focuses on their shared understanding of the significant events they describe. Her detailed exploration of the texts is a gold mine for preaching and teaching, and will breathe new life into the familiar Christmas stories heard year after year in churches, hymn sings, and nativity plays. Devotional reflections and discussion questions also make this ideal for personal and group study. Rooted in the conviction that greater understanding of the Bible leads to deeper discipleship, this is an essential resource for preachers, teachers, and study group leaders, as well as those who simply wish to get to know the Bible better.