Advent Resources

  Resource Title                                         Description

  A Charlie Brown Christmas                     Join the Peanuts gang as they discover the real meaning of Christmas. A real classic to be

                                                               enjoyed by all ages. (30 minutes)

  A Child Is Born                                      Sixty biblically based prayers for the Nativity season. Scripturel passages recommended b church

                                                               lectionaries provide the basis for the meditations in this prayer diary.

  A Coming Christ In Advent                     Reflections on the annunciation, beautiful hymns, the Magnificat & the Benedictus, which we

                                                               hear in Luke on the  lips of Mary & the father of John the baptist.

  A Festival of Lights: A Candlelight           A complete worship service celebrating Christmas Eve with "The Festival of Lights". Includes a

  Service and Story for Christmas Eve        story that can be used for the sermon entitled "One-Fourth of an Angel" depicting a modern day

                                                               version of Mary and Joseph & the news of a baby.

 

  A Royal Crown: The King Born In           Biblically based video portrays Mary & Joseph as a devout Jewist couple who learn that they are

  Bethlehem                                              about to become parents of the Messiah. Still illustrations that suggest Nazareth & Bethlehem of

                                                               Jesus' time. A familiar Gospel story. (20 minutes).

 

  A Very Opinionated Christmas Tree:       Collection of dramas and other pieces that are short and very adaptable for a variety of students

  Easy Dramas, Speeches, and Recitations  and ages. A Jesse Tree idea is also included.

   for Children

  Aaron's Christmas Donkey                      Children's Story

  Advent 2000: Born to Save                      An exploration of what God has done for us in Jesus Christ & how we might offer our lives in

                                                               return, using the Revised Common Lectionary texts. (5-ession leader's guide available).

  Advent 2000: Born To Save (Leader's      Set of leaflets to coordinate with the Advent 2000 booklet. Each includes an easy to follow

  Guide)                                                    outline; Bible background & many options to choose from.


  Advent 2002: The Coming King               Celebrate the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, using the Revised Common Lectionary texts, to

                                                               receive from God the good news of the coming of God's Anointed One, the Son of God. (5-ession

                                                                leader's guide available).

 

  Advent 2002: The Coming King               Set of leaflets to coordinate with the Advent 2002 booklet. Each includes an easy to follow

  (Leader's Guide)                                     outline; Bible background & many options to choose from.

  Advent 2004: Babe in a Manger               Five session Advent study, plus Christmas readings, based on the Revised Common

                                                               Lectionary.Questions are included to encourage reflection

  Advent 2004: Babe in a Manger               Contains suggestions for planning and leading the five session Advent study. Also includes

  (Leader's Guide)                                     worship ideas, Bible background & a selection of activities & other options.

  Advent and Christmas Resources            Variety of resources for Advent and Christmas that can be used with all ages.

  Advent and Christmas Wisdom from        Reflections for each day in this book begin with words from Nouwen, followed by scripture, a

  Henri J. M. Nouwen                               prayer & an activity for applying the messages to one's daily life. Through his quotes, share

                                                               Nouwen's own journey of waiting while seeking the Lord.

 

  Advent and Christmas with Thomas         Daily reflections beginning with a scriptural quotation, continues with a thought from the writings

  Merton                                                   of Merton, the renowned Cistercian monk,  & ends with a prayer. Each day you will draw closer

                                                               to the joy of welcoming the Savior into our lives.

 

  Advent Candle Lightings                         Collection of Advent Candle lighting readings and worship ideas, copied from a variety of

                                                               resources located in the Presbytery Resource Center.

  Advent Conversations: Lighting The         An excellent resource for making the Advent wreath a meaningful & relevant part of the worship

  Advent Wreath - Years A, B, and c         service. Brief conversational dialogues that relate the wisdom of the prophets to modern life. Can

                                                                also be used by families in the home.

 

  Advent Thirst, Christmas Hope - Prayer   Meditations, questions & prayers to help lead you into the human mysteries of thirst & hope, not

  and Meditation for the Journey                 only during Advent & Christmas, but throughout the year.

 

  Advent: A Congregational                       A good collection of Advent resources for use with the family, church groups & intergenerational

  Life/Intergenerational Experience            activities. Guidelines for planning, Services of Worship & songs for Advent are also included.

  Advent: A Season of Seasons                  Step-by-step on what you can do to make sense of Advent. Some history is included with ideas on

                                                                involving the whole congregation. Worship pieces and at home resources are also included.

  All I Want for Christmas: An Advent       Four week Advent study for either group or individual use, providing a lesson each week centered

  Study for Adults                                      on the themes of hope, peace, joy & a Savior. Includes Scripture references, reflections,

                                                               questions, hymns, and closing prayers.

 

  All Paths Lead To Bethlehem                  Delightful & creative approach to telling the Christmas story. From the announcement to Mary, to

                                                                the journey of the Wise Men & the flight into Egypt, the story of Jesus' birth is given new

                                                               meaning by the customs of Christians in many countries.

 

  Alternate Celebrations Catalogue             Comprehensive collection of resources for alternative celebrations of all the major holidays and

                                                               rites of passage, as well as resources for responsible living personally, in families and in the

                                                               community at large.

 

  Alternative Worship: Resources from       Arranged around major festivals of the church year, these unique liturgies, prayers, rituals &

  and for the Emerging Church                   challenging views of the alternative worship scene with be an enormous help for those working

                                                               towards a more contemporary approach to worship. CD-ROM included.

 

  An Adult Christ At Christmas                  Infancy narratives in Matthew & Luke represent a developed Christology proclaimed through a

                                                               reflection on the origin of Jesus. The birth & early life of Jesus are the entire gospel story in

                                                               miniature, according to the author.

 

  An Advent Sourcebook                           Poetry, parable, song, scripture & story contained here attempt to broaden & stretch the rhythms

                                                               & motions of the Advent season. Excellent helps for worship and devotional usage.

  An Advent Worship Service: Songs and   Weaves together informative readings, scripture & familiar hymns with the lighting of the Advent

  Lessons For The Advent Wreath And      wreat & the hanging of the greens. Congregation participation. Requires 4 readers. Interpretetive

  Hanging of the Greens                            movement provided for "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.

 

  Angels We Will Hear on High: Stories      Eight Christmas stories presented as a story-sermon for  Christmas Eve. Loaded with eccentric

  for Christmas                                          characters who do unconventional things in out-of-the-way places, but who always seem to

                                                               discover the true meaning of Christmas.

 

Augustine of Hippo: Sermons to the           Homilies on the liturgical seasons of Advent, Christmas, New Year's & the Epiphany, delivered

People (Advent, Christmas, New Year's,   by Augustine during his lifetime.

Epiphany

 

  Before and After Christmas: Activities     Activities, Service projects, crafts, recipes, readings, reflections & family worship ideas, facts and

  and Ideas - Advent and Epiphany             so much more. Can be used for Sunday School or family time.

  Bethlehem Year Zero                             The birth of Jesus and surrounding events as TV news would cover it today. This is not

                                                               nativity-play treatment of Christ's birth, but an attempt to set it in the real political & social context

                                                                of the time. No study guide.

 

  Birthings and Blessings: Liberating           Creative resources for innovative and inclusive worship.

  Worship Services for the Inclusive

  Church

 

  Bookmarks: Bible Explorations for           Nineteen session Bible study elective for youth in grades 9-12 that engages leaders & learners

 older Youth (Volume 5)                           through an emphasis on biblical stories. These focus on the areas of Salvation & Liberation &

                                                               Justice.  Includes reproducible handouts

 

  Boys Can Be Angels Too & Three          Four dramas for Christmas that are easy to put together with a variety of production notes. Plays

  Other Christmas Dramas                         include some with speaking parts, narration, non-speaking parts, all about 30 minutes in length.

  Bread for the Journey: Resources for       Contemporary worship resources that emphasize worship as part of an ever-evolving journey

  Worship                                                 toward God. Included are pieces for baptism, communion, confirmation, new member litany,

                                                               funeral & seasons of the Christian year.

 

  Celebrating Special Days in the Church    Liturgies and participation activities for church school children that are Biblical based for every

  School Year                                           season of the year. Includes church year celebrations, special events in the life of the church  as

                                                               well as other national days.

 

  Celebrating The Advent/Christmas           Ideas & suggestions for teachers, families, pastors & other church leaders involved in planning

  Season                                                   activities for the Advent season.

  Celebrating the Church Year with            Includes religious customs for the home, activities, suggestions for prayer & Scripture readings,

   Young Children                                      songs, recipes & reflections on liturgy & liturgical background of the feasts & seasons of the

                                                               Church Year. All ages.

 

  Celebrating Through the Church Year      A brief booklet to help families understand the different church seasons throughout the church

                                                               year.

  Celebration Services For Christmas          Services of worship that emphasize the message of love that Jesus brought rather than the

                                                               messenger. It also gives you some of the origins of the pagan customs that sometimes blind the

                                                               true meaning of Christmas.

 

  Child of the Light: Walking Through         Daily readings for Advent through Epiphany. Includes reflection & prayer. A group study guide is

  Advent & Christmas                               located in the back to help support the individual journeys through the book. Leader helps for

                                                               each gathering and going deeper with the group.

 

  Children's Activities for the Christian        Practical information & activities for the cycle of the Christian church calendar. Easy-to-use

  Year                                                      guidance, resources & reproducible pages to help interpret the Church year through elementary

                                                               age.

 

  Chrismons                                              An explanation of symbols made into chrismons, used at various times of the year.

  Chrismons - Christian Year Series           Instructions, study helps & interpretations for Chrismons to celebrate the Christian Church Year.

  Chrismons Advanced Series                    Instructions for making the advanced series of Chrismons with programs, study outlines,

                                                               interpretations, patterns and step-by-step directions.

  Chrismons For Every Day                       Instructions for making Chrismons with additional ideas & study helps.

  Christmas Everywhere: Advent               To aide in re-experiencing & re-interpreting some of the traditional Christmas symbols, and ideas

  Activities and Pageant                             with a pageant learning about how Christmas is practiced in different lands

  Christmas For Children: Series 1              Delightful stories that include The Christmas Donkey telling of the rewards of service to God;

                                                               Silent Night of Jeremy Rabbit showing how arguing can ruin the true Christmas spirit &

                                                               Christmas Journey of Deborah Dove - Christ's birthplace in our hearts.

 

  Christmas For Children: Series II             Three stories for all ages to enjoy. Peter and the Hermit is of a boy teaching faith & friendship to

                                                               a hermit; The Other Wise Man is a retelling of a classic tale and The Joy of Christmas tells of

                                                               Mary's joy through the journey of the Wise Men.

 

  Christmas from the Backside                   A retelling of the biblical Christmas story through the eyes of a minor character. Seven different

                                                               stories, includes a study guide.

  Christmas Joy Offering - 2000                 This packet has samples of the resources and a informational booklet to help promote the

                                                               Christmas Joy Offering for 2000.

  Christmas Joy Offering - 2002 - In           This packet has samples of the resources and a informational booklet to help promote the

  Search of Our Bethlehem                        Christmas Joy Offering for 2002.

  Christmas Joy Offering - 2003 - Prepare  A collection of items and guidelines to help promote the Christmas Joy Offering for 2003.

  The Way

  Christmas Plays                                      A collection of plays for Christmas including "Christ is Come"; "Family of God at Worship";

                                                               Prophecy"; "Christmas Pagegent", and "Welcome the Wise Men".

  Christmas Praise                                     Collection of lectionary readings, poems, carols, prayers, & litanies that will enrich the Christmas

                                                               worship experience in your church or home for Advent, Christmas & Epiphany.

  Christmas Program Resource - Book 2    Collection of plays, music, verses and ideas to use with children of various ages for an Advent or

                                                               Christmas program.

  Christmas Programs                                Compiled from various sources including Church Educator magazine and Church Worship

                                                               magazine.

  Christmas Programs for the Church:        A collection of programs, pageant services, monologues, puppet play and other ideas for a variety

  Number 13                                             of age groups.

  Christmas Sourcebook                             Prayers, poems, hymns/homilies & scripture have been arranged chronologically. It begins with

                                                               the Christmas Vigil & progresses through the days to the Baptism of the Lord.

  Christmas Treasures: A Collection Of      Ample selection of seasonal worship, drama, & children's resources by popular authors from a

  Congregational Resources For                 variety of denominations. Includes candle lighting, readings, prayers, dramas, sermon ideas for

  Advent/Christmas                                   children and much more.

 

  Clear View of Jesus' Birth (4 video set)   This 4-part study strips away the "Mythology" that has grown up around Christmas & will

                                                               enhance your worship of our Lord Jesus, not only at Christmas, but all year long.

  Clown Ministry Skits for All Seasons        Dozens of skits for special occasions, including Christmas, birthdays, Easter, Valentine's Day,

                                                               Retirement, & Thanksgiving. These uplifting celebrations can be used during worship, fellowship

                                                               times, outreach, youth events, etc.

 

  Create and Use Bulletin Boards That       Over 50 bulletin board designs as well as how to utilize them effectively. Basic design &

  Teach                                                    construction tips covering a variety of subjects.

  Creative Craft Ideas For All Ages           A large assortment of craft ideas for preschool through teens, covering old & new testament,

                                                               church year & other holidays.

  Creative Ideas For Advent                      Excellent ideas for Advent. A variety of programs, crafts, drama and other ideas to help paln a

                                                               better program during the season.

  Creative Ideas For Advent - Volume 3     More creative ideas for Advent! The material in this book has been produced for use as a

                                                               resource for creative planning of Advent & Christmas programs in the church.

  Destination Christmas: Advent Programs  Contains programs that provide an opportunity to learn by listening, discussion & study with

   & Practices for Youth                            practices of faith that provide an opportunity to learn by creative expression & personal

                                                               experience. Each can stand on its own or use as an ongoing study.

 

  Don't Just Sit There: Bible Stories That    Using movement, props & rhythm, teach the Scriptures to preschool children. Easy-to-follow

  Move You                                              directions to get your children actively learning!

 

  Drama of Christmas: Letting Christ In      Explore the lives & thoughts of the major participants in the first Christmas. Drawing on scripture,

  Our Lives                                               tradition, & legend, Kelsey weaves an imaginative tapestry of stories, providing the reader with

                                                               endless possibilities for reflection.

 

  Dramatic Pauses: 20 Ready-to-Use         20 easy to use drama sketches that tackle issues kids care about, including: Gossip, Drugs &

  Sketches for Youth Ministry                    Alcohol; Creative ways to say "no"; Sexuality; plus Christmas & Biblical sketches & some

                                                               Just-for-fun sketches.

 

  Everlasting Light: A Resource for            Collection of worship resources that will bring new joy to your Advent worship. Based on the 3

  Advent Worship                                      years of lectionary readings for Advent. Includes hanging of the greens service & candlelighting

                                                               as well.

 

  Faces At The Manger                             Through Poetry, see the faces that gathered around that straw-filled feeding box outside the inn

                                                               centuries ago & about all the faces that have been there in the centuries since.

  Family Worship Idea Book                      To encourage & stimulate creative devotions & worship in the family throughout the year.

                                                               Includes use of music, prayers & worship centers. (1973)

  For People Just Like Us: A Christmas      Worship program designed to involve children of all ages, along with the congregation in a

  Service for the Congregation and it's        meaningful experience. Familiar music for all or for children's choir, readers, shared responses

  Children                                                 and other dialogue.

 

  Fresh Out of The Box - Volume 3:           Ten worship celebrations, including a dominant metaphor, commentary of the Scripture text, music

  Digital Worship Experiences for Advent    suggestions, film clip suggestions & six video/animation clips for projection from the included <