The First Nativity Pageant in Heaven


Book Description

“I am preparing for the end very quietly and calmly. The Lord is wonderfully near, and He will not fail me. I was very restless and excited while there seemed a chance of life, but God has taken away that feeling, and now I just pray for the grace to meet the terrible end bravely. The pain will soon be over, and oh the sweetness of the welcome above! … I must keep calm and still these hours. I do not regret coming to China, but am sorry I have done so little. My married life, two precious years, has been so very full of happiness. We will die together, my dear husband and I … If we escape now, it will be a miracle.” So wrote Elizabeth “Lizzie” Atwater to her family in the United States. Lizzie’s dream of becoming a missionary to China was fulfilled. She met her husband at the mission—a widower with four little girls who captured her heart. Then, the political climate changed, and Christian foreigners were suddenly the enemy. Set at the turn of the twentieth century, this true story of missionaries who were faithful unto death will inspire you. The second part of the book will tease your imagination as you watch a heavenly pageant unfold. It is fun to picture heaven’s coming glories that “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard...the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” How God will handle Lizzie’s unborn baby at the resurrection sparked Arthur Caviness’ mind speculating with a heaven-focused imagination about how women who died while pregnant will be raised to life when Jesus comes. Will they still be pregnant and give painless birth in heaven to a perfect baby? Or will the baby be resurrected separately? Of course, we do not know the answers to these questions, but we do know that our loving Jesus will do the right thing.




Dog in the Manger


Book Description

With laugh-out-loud humor anchored by spiritual truths, author Tim Schenck helps us maintain our spiritual sanity through the often-frenetic chaos of Advent and Christmas. Illustrated by popular cartoonist Jay Sidebotham, "Dog in the Manger" also explores the major characters of the season in new ways, including John the Baptist, Mary, Joseph and of course, Jesus. Thoughtful questions following each section make "Dog in the Manger" ideal for personal or group use.







The Best Christmas Pageant Ever


Book Description

The six mean Herdman kids lie, steal, smoke cigars (even the girls) and then become involved in the community Christmas pageant.




Go, Tell It on the Mountain


Book Description

Here are three different Christmas pageants complete with music, staging directions, scenery and costume suggestions, plus pointers about how to organize your event. The pageants are for grades K-8, but one also calls for adults and teens. The first pageant is a traditional Nativity play with carols; the second is an adaptation in verse in the style of medieval mystery plays; and the third is a dramatized service of lessons and carols with Eucharist. Some churches adopt one pageant as an annual production; others try a different one each year. Pageant 1: “Good News of Great Joy” – This is the simplest pageant in concept and uses the Isaiah text of the prophecies with scenes of the Annunciation, the arrival at Bethlehem, the shepherds, and the Magi. It is intended to replace the sermon or Liturgy of the Word, or stand alone. Pageant 2 “A Child of Might” – This production is based on medieval “mystery plays” with static staging that is easier than in pageant 1. However it doe use archaic English and requires memorization. It does not include the Magi, but introduces several characters not usually found in other pageants. Pageant 3 “People, Look East” – This version presents a dramatized service of Lessons and Carols for Advent and Christmas. It features nine scripture readings, each followed by a carol or hymn (with performance options). Children mime the readings. It is intended to be an entire Sunday liturgy (includes communion). Go Tell It On the Mountain is also available as a downloadable product on the Church Publishing website.




The Heavenly Host


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The First Christmas


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The Gospel According to Matthew


Book Description

The publication of the King James version of the Bible, translated between 1603 and 1611, coincided with an extraordinary flowering of English literature and is universally acknowledged as the greatest influence on English-language literature in history. Now, world-class literary writers introduce the book of the King James Bible in a series of beautifully designed, small-format volumes. The introducers' passionate, provocative, and personal engagements with the spirituality and the language of the text make the Bible come alive as a stunning work of literature and remind us of its overwhelming contemporary relevance.







The Nativity Pageant


Book Description

Would you rather read the nativity story or be a part of it? Using simple stage directions, easy-to-find props, and a script that's straight from the scriptures, this book helps you act out the familiar story of the first Christmas for your friends and family. Start a new tradition this season with a simple pageant you'll look forward to performing year after year.