Have you ever wished the world was more like a musical, with characters bursting into song at the slightest provocation?
In the nativity story, there are four sudden, Spirit-filled songs from the heart, and they're all still used in the rhythm of liturgy: Zechariah's song (the Benedictus) Mary's song (Magnificat) the song of the angels (Gloria in Excelsis) and Simeon's song (Nunc Dimittis).In 'They Sang', Amy Scott Robinson uses four Advent studies to guide small groups to explore these ancient poems of praise and prophecy, and a fifth invites you to discover your own song.Containing work from artist Clare Howard Weiner - available to download in the 'Resources' tab.
Contents
Introduction
Notes for Leaders
Session 1 - Benedictus - A Song of Salvation
Session 2 - Magnificat - A Song of Justice
Session 3 - Gloria - A Song of Peace
Session 4 - Nunc Dimittis - A Song of Hope
Specifications
Book Format - Paperback
Published - October 2021
Weight - 130g
Page Count - 60
Dimensions - 133 x 203 mm
ISBN - 9781838581121
ISBN 10 - 183858112X
Following on from the phenomenal success of Wild Lent, Rachel Summers' new book, Wild Advent will once again have us all venturing outside to encounter God in the wild! Wild Advent provides an outdoor activity for each day of the four weeks of Advent, progressing through the Carmelite themes for Advent of Waiting, Accepting, Journeying, and Birthing. So why not make Advent a little wilder by wrapping up warm and heading outside to create your own icicle, breathe like a baby dragon, make pebble pictures, do some sand art... and share God's creation with others?The activities in Wild Advent include:• Things to do when it's cold• Things to do in the dark• Things to do with others• Short and easy things to make and do• Even shorter things to do
Contents
About the Author
Why Wild Advent
How this book works
Things to do when it's cold
Things to do in the dark
Things to do with others
Short and easy things to make and do
Even shorter things to do
Thematic Index
In Praise of Wild Advent
Specifications
Format - Paperback
Published - August 2018
Weight - 202g
Page Count - 92
Dimensions - 175 x 251 x 6 mm
ISBN - 9781848679603
ISBN 10 - 1848679602
A course to lead us into a deeper awareness of the ever-present God.
There are times in our lives when we struggle against the darkness, seeking to disperse the gloom. Advent comes at the darkest time of the year when the nights are longest. It is about the coming of Christ, the Light of the World, who comes to us, transforming our darkest days by his presence; it's a special time of candle-lighting.
Candles in the Dark is an Advent resource for groups, but it is an equally valuable and enriching book for individuals, comprising six sessions which include scripture readings, music, candle-lighting and visual symbols, prayers and reflections.
Each session draws meaning and inspiration from a special theme: the Patriarchs, our ancestors in the faith, such as Abraham and Moses; the Prophets, for example Elijah and Isaiah: John the Baptist; the Virgin Mary; the Shepherds and Wise Men - those whose faith shone out like candles in the dark, who brought us the Light and the Word, through whom the Lord sought to guide us, who prepared the way, who came and sought the Lord. He seeks to be born in us, and awaits entry into our hearts, our lives and homes.
From Amy Scott Robinson
Packed full of seasonal stories, poems and suggestions for the church family to share during Advent and Christmas, this book will become your go-to resource for everything from crib services to Christmas fairs. Whether you're looking for a school assembly on the theme of Advent, a reading for a carol service or an idea to invite the whole community into a new festive tradition, you will find it in this compilation that covers every occasion from Advent through to Candlemas.
The poor Bethlehem Barn Owl felt lonely! His stable was dark, it was bare, it was poor! No wonder few visitors stepped through the door... Then one night, as he swooped over shepherd in fields he heard through a chink in the sky, angels sing, 'Guess who's in the manger! Turn on the wing!' In this gentle tale, perfect for reading aloud, young children will hear the Christmas story and discover who came down to earth bringing his light and love and friendship to all.
From Amy Scott Robinson
Why do we have nativity plays?What is a Paradise Tree?What happened when Max met Santa Claus?
Find out in this book, full of stories, poems, festive facts and fun to help you to get ready and celebrate the season of Christmas.
Explore the book of Ruth this Advent with Long Ago in Bethlehem, a flexible, insightful study by Amy Scott Robinson.
Ruth’s story of loyalty, love, and God’s quiet presence amidst chaos beautifully mirrors the Christmas story. Designed for small groups or individual reflection, each session includes readings, reflections, and activities that bring the narrative to life.
Perfect for deepening your understanding of how God works through the ordinary and faithful, this course connects the lives of Ruth and Mary, revealing the unfolding of God’s salvation plan—long ago in Bethlehem.
***Amy has written frequently on the Advent season, including Tales From The Jesse Tree, They Sang and Sleigh Bells & Stables. She has also written children’s books and other resources and is a regular contributor to the Church Times.
Taken from No Pianist for Assembly? No Problem! Here are instrumental accompaniments for twenty favourite Christmas Carols. Just put the CD in your player and sing, pray, listen and enjoy. Full printed lyrics are included.ContentsAway in a mangerBorn in the night (Mary's Child)Come, they told me (Little Drummer Boy)Ding dong! merrily on highGirls and boys, leave your toys (Zither carol)Go, tell it on the mountainHark, the herald-angels singIn the bleak mid-winterLittle donkeyMary had a babyO come, all ye faithfulO little town of BethlehemOnce in royal David's citySee him lying on a bed of straw (Calypso carol)Silent nightThe first nowellThe holly and the ivyThe Virgin Mary had a baby boyWe wish you a merry ChristmasWhile shepherds watched
One starry night, one, two, three, four... ten little sheep came over the hill outside Bethlehem. There they saw an angel with a message of great joy, about a baby in a manger, a baby called Jesus
Based on the traditional hymn 'O come, O come Emmanuel', John Cox's Advent course provides the opportunity for a reality check: the reality of who we are and what our world is, the reality of our hopes and fears. It encourages us to look afresh at the reality of Jesus, the One who comes and ask how much he is really a part of our lives.As we look forward at Advent, this book encourages us to look in other directions as well: to look around at those who are lost and alienated, at outcasts and refugees; to look within us and within the world; to look up to find hope and aspiration; to look with gratitude; and to look with the eyes of loving response as we meet with Christ, the One we long for, the One who we believe comes to meet our needs and those of our world.This short course of six sessions is intended for use by small groups but could equally be helpful for individual use in setting a framework for private study, devotion and reflection.ContentsAbout the authorIntroductionAdventWreaths and candlesThe Great AntiphonsLookingHow to use this bookThe sessionsLeadersMusic suggestionsSession one - God's welcome to allSession two - FreedomSession three - Light in the darknessSession four - Key of DavidSession five - Lord Almighty, the giver of the LawSession six - Emmanuel, God with us
Nice traditional performances of twenty-two best-loved carols. With vocals.ContentsAngels from the realms of gloryAway in a mangerChristians, awake!Ding dong! merrily on highGood King WenceslasHark, the herald-angels singIn the bleak mid-winterIt came upon the midnight clearLittle donkeyMary's boy childO come, all ye faithfulO come, O come, EmmanuelO little town of BethlehemOnce in royal David's cityOn Christmas night all Christians singSee amid the winter's snowSilent nightThe angel Gabriel from heaven cameThe first NowellUnto us a boy is bornWe three kingsWhile shepherds watched
An Advent study course...
Responding to the Image of God has seven sessions which may be used during Advent itself or during the period leading up to Advent and into the Christmas Season. Although aimed primarily at helping small groups to focus on God's words during Advent, this book could also be used for private study.Joel Edwards writes: 'We are all trying to discover what it means to be alive, to be truly human in community with others. We want to be valued and to value others; the shorthand word for all of this is respect.
An advent course from Susan Sayers
Advent is a season in its own right. It's also the start of the entire Christian year. So how can we best honour it?
We honour it by using it! It is the season which marks the start of the Christian year, so this is our opportunity to reflect on who on Earth the child is - not only in the manger, but throughout his life, and throughout our own lives, too. It's also a season to be lived in the dark. Light is promised but it's important to pay attention to the darkness as well.This Advent book is a kind of travel guide or maybe a theatre programme. You may be visiting familiar places and ideas, or places and ideas you haven't previously considered in quite the same way. You might be surprised to find our Advent journey linking with other seasons, so it isn't entirely about getting ready for Christmas.I can't promise you an entirely comfortable journey, but I hope it will be a journey that helps you travel through this coming year, on your own life pilgrimage, equipping you with hope in the darkness, whatever form that darkness takes for you.As there are four weeks in the Advent season, this book is in four sections. In each section there is a weekly prayer, then six short daily rflections, followed by suggestions for you to try. So as we journey through Advent there are questions to think about, suggested further reflection and action.May God bless us as we journey together.
By Joy Margetts
Advent is a special time. We look forward with expectancy to Christmas. We get excited by lights and decorations and the joy on children’s faces. But this busy season can also find us with barely a moment to pause and think about the real reason why Christmas is so special.
Christ Illuminated contains 24 short daily devotions designed to help us take time, in the busyness of Advent, to focus on the One who is at the heart of it all. Each day it looks at a name or description of Jesus, taken from the Bible. We see Him as the Good Shepherd, the Light of the World, the Cornerstone, and much more.
With questions to ponder, suggested prayers and further reading, this little book will take you on a personal journey of discovery, in seeing Jesus for who He really is this Christmas.
‘Rooted in Scripture and with an engaging, easy to read style’ - Tracey Williamson
‘A casket full of treasures’ - Rachel Yarworth
‘A refuge amidst the bustle and noise’ - Jenny Sanders
‘If you desire to go deeper with Jesus this is an incredible tool’ - Anne Calver
A true montage of ideas for church and school with 30 inspiring projects, covering 7 Bible stories.
Let children explore the Bible in a fun and captivating way with Colour, Make and Doodle. A comprehensive resource packed full of ideas, activities and stories, providing hours of creative fun while complementing the teaching of Christian Religious Education in primary schools and church groups. Bound with sumptuously thick matt pages and full of vibrant yet inexpensive projects this is a real treat for young crafters!
The idea for this series came from Sarah's inability to find anything like it on the market. She wanted colouring pictures, doodle pages and word searches, all mixed together with a great selection of craft ideas to help teach Bible stories to children. Inspired by her work both as a volunteer helper with primary schools and as a craft activities co-ordinator for 'Seedlings'(an informal lay-led service for pre-schoolers), both books have been tried and tested!
Everywhere Joe went, Christopher Bear went too. He went with him to the shops. He went with him to the park, And Joe never went to sleep without him.
In this story about Joe and his bear, Joe learns all about God and just how much God loves him.
Peace, love $ joy this Christmas reads:There, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was Matthew 2:9Wishing you peace, love and joy reads:But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid; for see I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people.'Luke 2:10
Colour, Make & Doodle Nativity Model is a fun and engaging way to teach and remember the Nativity story. Children aged 7 - 11 will love Sarah Kidd's lively designs. Here is everything they will need to make their own Nativity model, with full, step-by-step instructions and detailed, colour photos to show how the finished model should look. Sarah's ingenious and inventive recycling of household materials wherever possible combines with the use of products readily available from local craft shops.Colour, Make & Doodle a Nativity Model and do your bit for the planet! Transform your recyclables into this impressive 3D Nativity scene, where the roll-on deodorant takes centre stage! A fantastic project for the classroom, Messy Church or at home with the family. Hours of creative fun for Key Stage 2 children, designed to develop and enrich their knowledge of the birth of Jesus.IDEAL FOR AGES 7-11
See Resources Tab for downloads.
If pictures tell a story they can equally inspire prayer, as Nick Fawcett shows in this delightful collection of gift books. They will not only warm your heart but nurture your spirit.
My Advent is the ideal way to introduce children to the themes of the season. Featuring beautiful full-colour illustrations and easy-to-read texts for each day of Advent. My Advent is drawn and retold by George and Angie Allen, the team behind the bestselling children's Bible My Bible.
Light has long been a symbol of power and hope, a reminder of the abiding presence, peace and love of God; of triumph over darkness. The services in this book take inspiration from the many different ways candlelighting has been used over the centuries for devotion and thanksgiving.
There are services for special occasions including Advent, Titles of the Christ (the 'O Antiphons'), Easter and All Saints as well as for relevant themes: Birth, Journeying and for times of darkness. They are adaptable so that they can be used at the lighting of the candles in church before the Eucharist, at home as an evening devotion, at the start of a Bible group, or with each candle prayer used as a meditation in itself.
Each service is structured to include a welcome, candle-lighting, special intention and closing prayer, with a focus on quiet reflection in the presence of God and the aim of carrying his light out into the world.
Wishing you peace love & joy Reads inside:For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; and he is named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace Isaiah 9:6Merry Christmas reads inside:With best wishes at Christmas
The Neil Jenkins Chorale.ContentsChristmas is comingDeck the hallThe Mummer's SongHow far is it to Bethlehem?Come all you worthy gentlemenNow the holly bears a berryI saw three shipsLittle donkeyInfant holyChild in the mangerJoseph dearest, Joseph mineSilent nightAway in a mangerMary's boy childWhence is that goodly fragranceThe echo carolSee amid the winter's snowUnto us is born a sonThe Coventry carolPersonent hodieWe three kingsOn Christmas nightGood King WenceslasWassail, wassail all over the townThe twelve days of ChristmasWe wish you a merry Christmas
Covering the four weeks of Advent, the 'challenge' of the title is to discover the real meaning of Advent and Christmas and avoid the tide of commercialism. There are two pages for each day of December up to Christmas and two extra days for those years when Advent Sunday falls in the last few days of November. This book can be used again and again.
