Journey to the Manger


Book Description

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.




Journey to the Manger


Book Description




The Manger Mission


Book Description

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.




Unwrapping the Names of Jesus


Book Description

How to focus on Christ during Advent Most Christians agree that Christmas is all about Jesus, yet most of us spend little time preparing our hearts to celebrate Him. Why is this? Partly because we don’t know how. In Unwrapping the Names of Jesus, Asheritah Ciuciu leads readers through the four weeks of Advent (Hope, Preparation, Joy, and Love). Each week: Begins with an interactive family devotional that equips readers to celebrate Advent together Offers five daily reflections that focus on that week's name of Jesus Includes suggestions for fun-filled family activities or service projects This devotional can be used by readers in their own personal worship times or as a tool to engage in family worship during the busy holiday season. Either way, participants will gain a greater sense of awe and wonder at who Jesus is. By focusing on the person and character of Jesus throughout the Advent season, readers will prepare their hearts so that when they admire the live nativity, sit in the candlelight service, or wake up on Christian morning, they can join the faithful who sing from the bottom of their hearts, "O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!"




God Is in the Manger


Book Description

Supplemented by an informative introduction, short excerpts from Bonhoeffer's letters, and passages from his Christmas sermons, these daily devotions are timeless and moving reminders of the true gift of Christmas.




The Child in the Manger


Book Description

"The perfect introduction to the Christmas story for the very young. . . Excellent, also, for both religious and nonreligious families." - BookPage One day, a long time ago, Mary and Joseph went on a long journey. They had to walk very far, to the city of Bethlehem. The king wanted to count all the people in his country. Among them were Joseph, Mary and the child that was still in Mary's womb. A simple version of the Christmas tale with colorful illustrations. Recommended for young children.




Hidden Christmas


Book Description

From pastor and New York Times bestselling author Timothy Keller comes the perfect gift for the Christmas holiday—a profoundly moving and intellectually provocative examination of the nativity story Even people who are not practicing Christians think they are familiar with the story of the nativity. Every Christmas displays of Baby Jesus resting in a manger decorate lawns and churchyards, and songs about shepherds and angels fill the air. Yet despite the abundance of these Christian references in popular culture, how many of us have examined the hard edges of this biblical story? In his new book Timothy Keller takes readers on an illuminating journey into the surprising background of the nativity. By understanding the message of hope and salvation within the Bible’s account of Jesus’ birth, readers will experience the redeeming power of God’s grace in a deeper and more meaningful way.




The Story of the Nativity


Book Description

A retelling of the story of the first Christmas.




At the Manger


Book Description

"Who were those who stood at the manger the night Jesus was born? What are their stories? What of the carpenter who built the manger? Or the midwife who helped Mary deliver the child? What is the origin of the swaddling clothes that wrapped the babe? At the The Stories of Those Who Were There is a collection of inspirational tales which poses possible answers to these questions. Residents of Bethlehem and travelers from Rome alike, stand as witnesses in the stillness of the night to the profound, humble birth. Through their own trials, those blessed to be present at the Nativity are woven into a fabric of mutual dependence and ultimate redemption. And through great personal sacrifice, gifts are laid at the foot of the crib while the reciprocal treasures of liberation, peace, and love blossom in the hearts of the givers. Experience the joy of Christmas by taking a journey back in time and partaking of the lives of those first to greet the newborn babe. At the Manger shares the gentle reminder that giving is an act of love, and ennobles us most when it is a gift of self."--




The Trip to Bethlehem


Book Description

The Trip to Bethlehem reveals that the traditional Christmas story has an even deeper meaning than you might have imagined. The basics are familiar-the stable, the babe in the manger, the shepherds, the wise men following a star-in this account that blends two different Bible stories with some modern embellishments. But Hypatia Hasbrouck takes it further.Every character in the story, every animal, object, or place has a metaphysical, symbolic meaning that represents a part of your consciousness. From King Herod's ego to Mary's purity, each of us embodies aspects of the people and elements of the Nativity. The trip to Bethlehem is the interior journey we take to discover and develop the Christ that was born in each of us.