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Christmas Voices

Author : BRFonline

£9.99

25 short reflective pieces for the Christmas season written by Claire Musters, travelling through promise and preparation to joy, peace and finally love. Along the way we encounter a choir of diverse voices sharing their favourite carols, poems and prayers, illustrated throughout with original colour artwork.

Includes contributions from Naomi Aidoo, Andy Angel, Jonathan Arnold, Imogen Ball, Ruth Bancewicz, Carl Beech, John Bell, Andrew Boakye, Catherine Butcher, Lyndall Bywater, Mags Duggan, Hannah Fytche, Gordon Giles, Paul Goodliff, Isabelle Hamley, Clare Hayns, Liz Hoare, Trystan Hughes, Lakshmi Jeffreys, Andy Kind, David Kitchen, Esther Kuku, Martin Leckebusch, Bekah Legg, Ann Lewin, Tanya Marlow, Leone Martin, Chine McDonald, Lucy Moore, Michele Morrison, Charmaine Noble-McLean, Emma Pennington, Pam Rhodes, Amy Scott Robinson, Margaret Silf, Meric Srokosz, Jo Swinney, Evie Vernon, Sally Welch and Natalie Williams.

Title	Christmas Voices
Author	BRFonline
ISBN
Description	25 short reflective pieces for the Christmas season written by Claire Musters, travelling through promise and preparation to joy, peace and finally love. Along the way we encounter a choir of diverse voices sharing their favourite carols, poems and prayers, illustrated throughout with original colour artwork. Includes contributions from Naomi Aidoo, Andy Angel, Jonathan Arnold, Imogen Ball, Ruth Bancewicz, Carl Beech, John Bell, Andrew Boakye, Catherine Butcher, Lyndall Bywater, Mags Duggan, Hannah Fytche, Gordon Giles, Paul Goodliff, Isabelle Hamley, Clare Hayns, Liz Hoare, Trystan Hughes, Lakshmi Jeffreys, Andy Kind, David Kitchen, Esther Kuku, Martin Leckebusch, Bekah Legg, Ann Lewin, Tanya Marlow, Leone Martin, Chine McDonald, Lucy Moore, Michele Morrison, Charmaine Noble-McLean, Emma Pennington, Pam Rhodes, Amy Scott Robinson, Margaret Silf, Meric Srokosz, Jo Swinney, Evie Vernon, Sally Welch and Natalie Williams.
Details	Product code: 9781800392304 Published: 22 September 2023 Format: Paperback Pages: 160 Dimensions: 165mm wide and 155mm high

Reviews

Review by Vicki Cottingham author, blogger, speaker…

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this small, special Advent Devotional and so I am recommending it here to you.

The twenty-five devotions are separated into five weekly themes on The Promise, The Preparation, Joy, Peace and Love.

The daily reflections written by Claire are thought provoking, encouraging and challenging. Each day there is also a passage of Scripture to read, and Claire finishes each devotion with a prayer.

What makes this devotional unique, in my eyes, are the voices of many others shared within the pages of this book. We hear which carol, or poem, or prayer is special to them and why it has a special place in their hearts. We hear from people such as Mags Duggan, Carl Beech and Pam Rhodes.

I love to sing carols at Christmas time (often starting very early in November!), but I don’t always concentrate on the words of the carol. Having the words of various carols within this book meant that I slowed down to really read the words. There are some wonderful truths within these carols that I had never noticed before. It has encouraged me to explore more of the carols we sing and really take note of the words I am singing and the truth that is proclaimed in verse.

This is a book which can be read daily throughout December and which can help us to focus on the one Christmas is all about and all that his birth means for us today. Or you may like to take time each day just to dip in and out of this book.

https://vickicottingham.wordpress.com/2023/11/30/book-review-christmas-voices-by-claire-musters/

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Using the lectio divina approach to passages drawn from Isaiah and Luke, An Advent Manifesto is an invitation to pray and practise that most ancient Advent prayer, ‘Come, Lord Jesus, come.’ \u003cspan style=\"color: #ff2a00;\"\u003eWorried that your book won't arrive in time for the start of An Advent Manifesto's readings? Don't be, we've put together a digital download of the first week so you can stay up to date while your book is on the way, we've got you covered! Just click on the \u003cstrong\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/strong\u003e button to view.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAuthor \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Very Revd Professor Martyn Percy is the former Dean of Christ Church, Oxford and from 2004 to 2014 was Principal of Ripon College, Cuddesdon. Prior to that he was Director of the Lincoln Theological Institute and has also been Chaplain and Director of Studies at Christ’s College, Cambridge. He writes and teaches on culture, faith, values and public life. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReviews\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Matters: Books for Today 17.11.23. Review by Paul Beasley-Murray\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAn Advent Manifesto\u003c\/em\u003e by Martyn Percy, former dean of Christ Church, Oxford, consists of readings, prayers, and ‘contemplations’, which stretch from the beginning of Advent right through to Candlemas in February. This is a ‘political’ book for it engages with 'the business of who receives what, when, where and how'. The author has an attractive writing style. Without hesitation I warmly commend this study guide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 27.10.23. Review by Peter McGeary\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey say that less is more. The most memorable sermons in my experience have been concise and apparently spontaneous. Anyone can go on and on about a given subject; it takes real skill and time to boil down what one wants to say to a few paragraphs.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdvent is in many ways my favourite part of the liturgical year. Frustratingly brief, it is bursting with themes of memory, presence, and expectation. There is too much to take in in the time available, it would seem, which can make Advent a tricky season to write about.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMartyn Percy has spent a lot of his ministry in academic circles, but in this book he wears his learning lightly. The principle of ‘less is more’ applies here. In this series of daily reflections, Percy concentrates on drilling down into passages from the prophet Isaiah, and the beginning of St Luke’s Gospel. He resists the temptation to use a wide variety of scriptural texts (there is enough of that in the liturgical lectionary already), and this gives his book a deeper focus on particular texts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach week of Advent has a particular overarching text from Luke (annunciation, visitation, Magnificat, and Benedictus). Weekdays consist of a short reflection on a section of the text, followed by a prayer and some points for contemplation. A slight change of gear at the weekend comprises a canticle from Isaiah, reflection, prayer, and contemplation intended more to link up with that Sunday’s liturgy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is a shift again in the days before and after Christmas, and there is material, too, for the new year and the feasts of the Epiphany and Candlemas. This format works well, because there is deliberately not too much to take in: the author knows that we will be busy with other things; so any Advent discipline that we give ourselves needs to be do-able.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book would be a good way of taking a short time each day to remind ourselves of the ancient themes of Advent, not as an exercise in spiritual archaeology, but as a way of making present the ancient challenges of the season: calls to repentance and change, that we might find again, in the author’s words, ‘the politics of paradise and consequences of God’s love’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Revd Peter McGeary is the Vicar of St Mary’s, Cable Street, in east London, and a Priest-Vicar of Westminster Abbey.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBaptist Times online. 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Just click on the \u003cstrong\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/strong\u003e button to view.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAuthor \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Very Revd Professor Martyn Percy is the former Dean of Christ Church, Oxford and from 2004 to 2014 was Principal of Ripon College, Cuddesdon. Prior to that he was Director of the Lincoln Theological Institute and has also been Chaplain and Director of Studies at Christ’s College, Cambridge. He writes and teaches on culture, faith, values and public life. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReviews\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Matters: Books for Today 17.11.23. Review by Paul Beasley-Murray\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAn Advent Manifesto\u003c\/em\u003e by Martyn Percy, former dean of Christ Church, Oxford, consists of readings, prayers, and ‘contemplations’, which stretch from the beginning of Advent right through to Candlemas in February. This is a ‘political’ book for it engages with 'the business of who receives what, when, where and how'. The author has an attractive writing style. Without hesitation I warmly commend this study guide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 27.10.23. Review by Peter McGeary\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey say that less is more. The most memorable sermons in my experience have been concise and apparently spontaneous. Anyone can go on and on about a given subject; it takes real skill and time to boil down what one wants to say to a few paragraphs.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdvent is in many ways my favourite part of the liturgical year. Frustratingly brief, it is bursting with themes of memory, presence, and expectation. There is too much to take in in the time available, it would seem, which can make Advent a tricky season to write about.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMartyn Percy has spent a lot of his ministry in academic circles, but in this book he wears his learning lightly. The principle of ‘less is more’ applies here. In this series of daily reflections, Percy concentrates on drilling down into passages from the prophet Isaiah, and the beginning of St Luke’s Gospel. He resists the temptation to use a wide variety of scriptural texts (there is enough of that in the liturgical lectionary already), and this gives his book a deeper focus on particular texts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach week of Advent has a particular overarching text from Luke (annunciation, visitation, Magnificat, and Benedictus). Weekdays consist of a short reflection on a section of the text, followed by a prayer and some points for contemplation. A slight change of gear at the weekend comprises a canticle from Isaiah, reflection, prayer, and contemplation intended more to link up with that Sunday’s liturgy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is a shift again in the days before and after Christmas, and there is material, too, for the new year and the feasts of the Epiphany and Candlemas. This format works well, because there is deliberately not too much to take in: the author knows that we will be busy with other things; so any Advent discipline that we give ourselves needs to be do-able.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book would be a good way of taking a short time each day to remind ourselves of the ancient themes of Advent, not as an exercise in spiritual archaeology, but as a way of making present the ancient challenges of the season: calls to repentance and change, that we might find again, in the author’s words, ‘the politics of paradise and consequences of God’s love’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Revd Peter McGeary is the Vicar of St Mary’s, Cable Street, in east London, and a Priest-Vicar of Westminster Abbey.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBaptist Times online. Reviewed by John Matthews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an interesting volume with some differences from other Advent books. One is that Percy uses the Revised New Jerusalem Bible. He explains why at the end.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnother is that, rather than ranging over a wide variety of scriptures, which he calls the ‘snacking approach’, Percy limits himself to the first two chapters of Luke’s gospel on weekdays and passages from Isaiah at weekends. On some days just a verse or two is offered for reflection. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA third difference is that Percy’s approach is not to exegete the text but to approach it from the point of view of ‘lectio divina’ or sacred reading. He explains the four steps of this, along with much else, in the 20 pages which precede the daily comments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFar from expounding the short passage for the day, many of Percy’s comments, although often insightful and worthwhile, make no reference at all to the text or its subject matter. This allows him to range more widely, including some interesting comments on Aramaic concerning the beatitudes and some new beatitudes from the poet, Scott Cairns, and Pope Francis.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach day’s reflection is followed by a prayer, and a question and comment for contemplation. The inside covers include colour illustrations of two nativity paintings by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, which Percy discusses. 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An Advent Manifesto

£9.99

The message of the kingdom of God: an ecology of equality and peace, and an economy of justice. Hope from...

Details

{"id":7395855466687,"title":"The Christmas Story","handle":"the-christmas-story-1","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eExplore the story of the first Christmas together as a family!\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe Christmas Story\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis written for parents, grandparents and carers to share with their children through an interactive family Bible and prayer time. Each section provides a brief comment on the passage, questions to discuss, a visual aid to encourage engagement with the story, an activity idea, a prayer idea, a key verse and an Old Testament story link.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eMultipack offers are available, please do select the quantity you require below.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuy 10 copies save 10% XMASSTORY10\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuy 25 copies save 20% XMASSTORY20\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuy 50 copies save 30% XMASSTORY30\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuy 100 copies save 40% XMASSTORY40\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ePraise for\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe Easter Story\u003c\/em\u003e: \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e‘A superb resource. If I were still a minister of a local church, I would ensure that every family in my church received a copy!’ Paul Beasley-Murray,\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eChurch Matters\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e'A little gem which brings the Bible to life, introduces creativity and encourages family prayer.' Elizabeth Hogg,\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eTransforming Ministry \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFormerly part of BRF’s Messy Church team, Martyn Payne is a gifted storyteller whose previous books The Big Story (2011) and Creative Ways to Tell a Bible Story (2012) demonstrate the variety of approaches he uses to bring the Bible alive for children and adults alike. He is passionate about the blessing that comes when generations explore faith together.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry Advent 2021. Review by Sue Piper\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis little book covers the Christmas story from the announcement to Zechariah of the coming of the Christ child, to the escape to Egypt of the Holy family. Each section offers a reading from scripture, followed by a commentary, questions, ideas and activities for families to do together. The author was part of BRF’s Messy Church team and is passionate about the richness experienced when families talk about faith together; this book would make an excellent inexpensive pre-Christmas gift and would generate new ideas and conversations about the importance of celebrating the Nativity and what it means to us today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Sue Piper\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2023-11-08T11:49:45+00:00","created_at":"2022-11-16T16:58:55+00:00","vendor":"Martyn Payne","type":"Paperback","tags":["Advent","Children and family ministry","Christmas","For children","Parenting"],"price":250,"price_min":250,"price_max":250,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":42085442519231,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800391208","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":33641497002175,"product_id":7395855466687,"position":1,"created_at":"2022-11-16T16:58:57+00:00","updated_at":"2022-11-16T16:58:57+00:00","alt":null,"width":1000,"height":1000,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800391208_6b13ed73-6f98-4a4e-ad06-0a622c42b249.jpg?v=1668617937","variant_ids":[42085442519231]},"available":true,"name":"The Christmas Story","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":250,"weight":100,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800391208","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":26237856612543,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":1000,"width":1000,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800391208_6b13ed73-6f98-4a4e-ad06-0a622c42b249.jpg?v=1668617937"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800391208_6b13ed73-6f98-4a4e-ad06-0a622c42b249.jpg?v=1668617937"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800391208_6b13ed73-6f98-4a4e-ad06-0a622c42b249.jpg?v=1668617937","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":26237856612543,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":1000,"width":1000,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800391208_6b13ed73-6f98-4a4e-ad06-0a622c42b249.jpg?v=1668617937"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":1000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800391208_6b13ed73-6f98-4a4e-ad06-0a622c42b249.jpg?v=1668617937","width":1000}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eExplore the story of the first Christmas together as a family!\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe Christmas Story\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis written for parents, grandparents and carers to share with their children through an interactive family Bible and prayer time. Each section provides a brief comment on the passage, questions to discuss, a visual aid to encourage engagement with the story, an activity idea, a prayer idea, a key verse and an Old Testament story link.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eMultipack offers are available, please do select the quantity you require below.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuy 10 copies save 10% XMASSTORY10\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuy 25 copies save 20% XMASSTORY20\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuy 50 copies save 30% XMASSTORY30\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuy 100 copies save 40% XMASSTORY40\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ePraise for\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe Easter Story\u003c\/em\u003e: \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e‘A superb resource. If I were still a minister of a local church, I would ensure that every family in my church received a copy!’ Paul Beasley-Murray,\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eChurch Matters\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e'A little gem which brings the Bible to life, introduces creativity and encourages family prayer.' Elizabeth Hogg,\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eTransforming Ministry \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFormerly part of BRF’s Messy Church team, Martyn Payne is a gifted storyteller whose previous books The Big Story (2011) and Creative Ways to Tell a Bible Story (2012) demonstrate the variety of approaches he uses to bring the Bible alive for children and adults alike. He is passionate about the blessing that comes when generations explore faith together.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry Advent 2021. Review by Sue Piper\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis little book covers the Christmas story from the announcement to Zechariah of the coming of the Christ child, to the escape to Egypt of the Holy family. Each section offers a reading from scripture, followed by a commentary, questions, ideas and activities for families to do together. The author was part of BRF’s Messy Church team and is passionate about the richness experienced when families talk about faith together; this book would make an excellent inexpensive pre-Christmas gift and would generate new ideas and conversations about the importance of celebrating the Nativity and what it means to us today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Sue Piper\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}

The Christmas Story

£2.50

Explore the story of the first Christmas together as a family! The Christmas Story is written for parents, grandparents and carers to...

Details

{"id":7152456958143,"title":"Really Useful Guides Pack 2024","handle":"really-useful-guides-pack-2024","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eGet to grips with the Bible with these exceptionally useful short guides!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEach Really Useful Guide focuses on a specific biblical book, making it come to life for the reader, enabling them to understand the message and to apply its truth to today’s circumstances. Though not a commentary, it gives valuable insight into the book’s message and context. Though not an introduction, it summarises the important aspects of the book to aid reading and application. The series is edited by Simon Stocks and Derek Tidball. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePack contains:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 x \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/really-useful-guides-john\"\u003eReally Useful Guides: John\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 x \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/really-useful-guides-genesis-1-11\"\u003eReally Useful Guides: Genesis 1-11\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 x \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/really-useful-guides-colossians-and-philemon\"\u003eReally Useful Guides: Colossians and Philemon\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1 x \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/really-useful-guides-psalms\"\u003eReally Useful Guides: Psalms\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/collections\/new-titles\/products\/really-useful-guides-romans-1\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1 x Really Useful Guides: Romans\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/collections\/new-titles\/products\/really-useful-guides-genesis12-50\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1 x Really Useful Guides: Genesis 12-50\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2022-02-10T15:39:53+00:00","created_at":"2022-02-01T12:32:50+00:00","vendor":"BRF Ministries","type":"Pack","tags":["Advent","Biblical engagement","Centenary","Discipleship","Really Useful Guides"],"price":3000,"price_min":3000,"price_max":3000,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":41277888266431,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default 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Though not a commentary, it gives valuable insight into the book’s message and context. Though not an introduction, it summarises the important aspects of the book to aid reading and application. 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Really Useful Guides Pack 2024

£30.00

Get to grips with the Bible with these exceptionally useful short guides! Each Really Useful Guide focuses on a specific...

Details

{"id":7136988102847,"title":"Sharing the Christmas Story","handle":"sharing-the-christmas-story","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this year's BRF Advent book Sally Welch explores two questions: What is the Christmas story really about, and how do we share it? Through each week of Advent, a different aspect of the Christmas story is examined: light, promise, mystery, love, peace and hope. Within each week, the days are focused on the ways in which the Christmas story is shared: prophecies, journeys, new life, signs, poems, stories and conversations. Each day offers a Bible passage, followed by a reflection and prayer activity. Suggestions for group study and group study questions are also included.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor information\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eSally Welch is a parish priest of 20 yearsʼ standing, having ministered in both rural and\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eurban contexts within the Diocese of Oxford. She is currently the diocesan spirituality\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eadviser and co-director of the Centre for Christian Pilgrimage. Sally is a committed pilgrim and has walked many pilgrim routes in the UK and Europe, with plans for many more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCountry Way Autumn 2022\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ydpd11d151bmsonormal\"\u003eSharing the Christmas Story by Sally Welch, is nice chunky paperback book with just under 160 pages. It takes you through Advent with a reading, a very clear and thought provoking reflection, a couple of questions and a prayer, for each day. On the Sunday of each week there are extra questions and a creative prayer to try out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ydpd11d151bmsonormal\"\u003eThe book has been published this year and so is dated as such. It doesn’t start on the first day of Advent but rather 1 December, which this year is a Thursday. Personally I would have preferred it to just say ‘First of December’ etc but maybe I’m being pedantic as obviously it can still be used in any year. Each week focusses on a different aspect of the Christmas story, the themes being; promise, light, mystery, love, peace and hope. Within each week, the days are then broken down to look at the way the Christmas story is shared such as through prophecy, signs or stories. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ydpd11d151bmsonormal\"\u003eMy first thought on reading the book was that this would be a great tool to use with my family (I have children aged 19, 12 and 11) around the dinner table possibly? The suggestion says to use the book for group study and I agree that this is the perfect all in one tool. What I love about the questions is that they aren’t theological questions about the text but rather ‘real life’ questions such as ‘Do you put God in a box?’ and ‘If you discovered you had only one day to live, what would you do?’. This means that the book would be suitable for someone who has only just started their journey in faith as well as being suitable for those further along in their journey. Priced at £8.99 this is definitely worth every penny.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ydpd11d151bmsonormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry online November 2022. Review by Howard Rowe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor each day through the six weeks of Advent and the Christmas season, Sally Welch has chosen, and reflected on, a short Bible reading relating to the Christmas story. Within each week, she has considered the way the story is shared through prophecies, journeys, signs, poems, stories and conversations. Over these busy and exciting weeks, the book takes in the themes of promise, light, mystery, love, peace and hope. This autumn of 2022, with the nation and the world in turmoil, it feels like we need rather a lot of these things. Sally uses texts from Old and New Testaments, some well-known and others less well-known. At the end of each week Sally has suggested creative ideas for prayer.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThere must have been many books of daily readings for Advent which have been published over the years. This one comes across as fresh and new. It is thoughtful and intelligent, but not academic; warm and attractive but not corny. I commend it to readers as individuals and for use by small groups this Advent.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Howard Rowe\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 28.10.22. Review by Peter McGeary\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe author of this kind of book faces a difficult set of tasks. Advent is a wonderful time of the Church’s year, filled with themes of history, judgement, and expectation. The trouble is that it is all too short, and takes place in a world that thinks that 'Christmas' is a time of commercial frenzy that for many people begins weeks before 1 December. How does an author instil a sense of prayerfulness and reflection into this season? Sally Welch is a director of the Centre for Christian Pilgrimage, in the diocese of Oxford, and her book is an attempt to do just that: to get us to slow down and think and pray. She takes us on a journey of exploration of the themes of the season. Sharing the Christmas Story is designed for individual or group use, and is a very good attempt to get the reader to carve out a short daily time for a scripture reading, a reflection, questions, and, finally, prayer. The material covers six weeks from the beginning of Advent until the feast of the Epiphany, and each week has an overarching theme to link the Bible passages. The great quality here is simplicity and brevity, although material can be easily expanded for group use (there are helpful suggestions at the beginning about how this might be done). The BRF has produced another fine volume that tells the Story with simplicity and clarity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by The Revd Peter McGeary, Vicar of St Mary’s, Cable Street, London.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/thehopefilledfamily.com\/20-best-books-to-read-during-advent\/\"\u003ehttps:\/\/thehopefilledfamily.com\/20-best-books-to-read-during-advent\/\u003c\/a\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLucy Rycroft\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBRF’s Christmas devotional for 2022 takes you all the way through from Advent to Epiphany, with in-depth daily devotionals (which include the Bible reading presented in full – very handy), introductions to each week of readings, and questions\/creative prayer to use in groups. You do need to set aside a bit more time to read this devotional, as the print is small and the daily readings are a little longer than those in other books, but the sacrifice of time will more than make up for itself in terms of the richness of thought, depth of theological understanding, and challenge of personal application contained here.\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2022-03-16T11:33:33+00:00","created_at":"2022-01-17T11:42:55+00:00","vendor":"Sally Welch","type":"Paperback","tags":["Advent","Biblical engagement","Centenary Collection"],"price":899,"price_min":899,"price_max":899,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":41235741049023,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800391062","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Sharing the Christmas Story","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":899,"weight":175,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800391062","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800391062.jpg?v=1642419912"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800391062.jpg?v=1642419912","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":23899862073535,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":1524,"width":1000,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800391062.jpg?v=1642419912"},"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":1524,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800391062.jpg?v=1642419912","width":1000}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eIn this year's BRF Advent book Sally Welch explores two questions: What is the Christmas story really about, and how do we share it? Through each week of Advent, a different aspect of the Christmas story is examined: light, promise, mystery, love, peace and hope. Within each week, the days are focused on the ways in which the Christmas story is shared: prophecies, journeys, new life, signs, poems, stories and conversations. Each day offers a Bible passage, followed by a reflection and prayer activity. Suggestions for group study and group study questions are also included.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor information\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eSally Welch is a parish priest of 20 yearsʼ standing, having ministered in both rural and\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eurban contexts within the Diocese of Oxford. She is currently the diocesan spirituality\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eadviser and co-director of the Centre for Christian Pilgrimage. Sally is a committed pilgrim and has walked many pilgrim routes in the UK and Europe, with plans for many more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCountry Way Autumn 2022\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ydpd11d151bmsonormal\"\u003eSharing the Christmas Story by Sally Welch, is nice chunky paperback book with just under 160 pages. It takes you through Advent with a reading, a very clear and thought provoking reflection, a couple of questions and a prayer, for each day. On the Sunday of each week there are extra questions and a creative prayer to try out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ydpd11d151bmsonormal\"\u003eThe book has been published this year and so is dated as such. It doesn’t start on the first day of Advent but rather 1 December, which this year is a Thursday. Personally I would have preferred it to just say ‘First of December’ etc but maybe I’m being pedantic as obviously it can still be used in any year. Each week focusses on a different aspect of the Christmas story, the themes being; promise, light, mystery, love, peace and hope. Within each week, the days are then broken down to look at the way the Christmas story is shared such as through prophecy, signs or stories. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ydpd11d151bmsonormal\"\u003eMy first thought on reading the book was that this would be a great tool to use with my family (I have children aged 19, 12 and 11) around the dinner table possibly? The suggestion says to use the book for group study and I agree that this is the perfect all in one tool. What I love about the questions is that they aren’t theological questions about the text but rather ‘real life’ questions such as ‘Do you put God in a box?’ and ‘If you discovered you had only one day to live, what would you do?’. This means that the book would be suitable for someone who has only just started their journey in faith as well as being suitable for those further along in their journey. Priced at £8.99 this is definitely worth every penny.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ydpd11d151bmsonormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry online November 2022. Review by Howard Rowe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor each day through the six weeks of Advent and the Christmas season, Sally Welch has chosen, and reflected on, a short Bible reading relating to the Christmas story. Within each week, she has considered the way the story is shared through prophecies, journeys, signs, poems, stories and conversations. Over these busy and exciting weeks, the book takes in the themes of promise, light, mystery, love, peace and hope. This autumn of 2022, with the nation and the world in turmoil, it feels like we need rather a lot of these things. Sally uses texts from Old and New Testaments, some well-known and others less well-known. At the end of each week Sally has suggested creative ideas for prayer.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThere must have been many books of daily readings for Advent which have been published over the years. This one comes across as fresh and new. It is thoughtful and intelligent, but not academic; warm and attractive but not corny. I commend it to readers as individuals and for use by small groups this Advent.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Howard Rowe\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 28.10.22. Review by Peter McGeary\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe author of this kind of book faces a difficult set of tasks. Advent is a wonderful time of the Church’s year, filled with themes of history, judgement, and expectation. The trouble is that it is all too short, and takes place in a world that thinks that 'Christmas' is a time of commercial frenzy that for many people begins weeks before 1 December. How does an author instil a sense of prayerfulness and reflection into this season? Sally Welch is a director of the Centre for Christian Pilgrimage, in the diocese of Oxford, and her book is an attempt to do just that: to get us to slow down and think and pray. She takes us on a journey of exploration of the themes of the season. Sharing the Christmas Story is designed for individual or group use, and is a very good attempt to get the reader to carve out a short daily time for a scripture reading, a reflection, questions, and, finally, prayer. The material covers six weeks from the beginning of Advent until the feast of the Epiphany, and each week has an overarching theme to link the Bible passages. The great quality here is simplicity and brevity, although material can be easily expanded for group use (there are helpful suggestions at the beginning about how this might be done). The BRF has produced another fine volume that tells the Story with simplicity and clarity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by The Revd Peter McGeary, Vicar of St Mary’s, Cable Street, London.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/thehopefilledfamily.com\/20-best-books-to-read-during-advent\/\"\u003ehttps:\/\/thehopefilledfamily.com\/20-best-books-to-read-during-advent\/\u003c\/a\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLucy Rycroft\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBRF’s Christmas devotional for 2022 takes you all the way through from Advent to Epiphany, with in-depth daily devotionals (which include the Bible reading presented in full – very handy), introductions to each week of readings, and questions\/creative prayer to use in groups. You do need to set aside a bit more time to read this devotional, as the print is small and the daily readings are a little longer than those in other books, but the sacrifice of time will more than make up for itself in terms of the richness of thought, depth of theological understanding, and challenge of personal application contained here.\u003c\/p\u003e"}

Sharing the Christmas Story

£8.99

In this year's BRF Advent book Sally Welch explores two questions: What is the Christmas story really about, and how...

Details

{"id":6841090572479,"title":"The Whole Christmas Story: An Advent adventure through Genesis, Revelation, and points in between","handle":"thewholechristmasstory","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003eAdvent is a time to remember and reflect on the Christmas story and the baby at its heart. But the virgin birth, the manger, the mysterious eastern visitors and their portentous gifts – all these hint at a much grander narrative. Come and explore the whole Christmas story, and find your place within it. For Advent 2023 BRF Ministries and \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca title=\"LICC\" href=\"https:\/\/licc.org.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eLICC (London Institute of Contemporary Christianity)\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e are collaborating to \u003cstrong\u003eadapt The Whole Christmas Story into a 25 day devotional prayer journey\u003c\/strong\u003e which can be undertaken individually or as a church\/small group. Find out more about \u003ca title=\"The Whole Christmas Story Advent 2023 Devotional Prayer Journey\" href=\"https:\/\/licc.org.uk\/ourresources\/the-whole-christmas-story-devotional-journey-page\/\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Whole Christmas Story Advent 2023 Devotional Prayer Journey\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cimg data-mce-fragment=\"1\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/TheWholeChristmasStorygraphic_1_480x480.png?v=1695296122\" width=\"736\" height=\"221\" data-mce-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/TheWholeChristmasStorygraphic_1_480x480.png?v=1695296122\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJo Swinney is a UK-based author, speaker and editor, with an MA in theology from Regent College, Vancouver. She is director of communications for A-Rocha International and blogs at\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.joswinney.com\/\"\u003ejoswinney.com\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'I have only read half of this book so far but that has been enough for me to endorse it as the best Advent book I have ever come across and to encourage the Ministry Team at our church to select and recommend it this year. This is a book I have \u003cu\u003ewanted \u003c\/u\u003eto read as distinct from \u003cu\u003eought \u003c\/u\u003eto read! I love Jo’s style of writing . She makes the profound so accessible and thought provoking. I am going to start from the beginning again this Advent!'\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJane Cowan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'You’ve got an Advent treat in store with \u003cem\u003eThe Whole Christmas Story\u003c\/em\u003e! I was educated, encouraged, challenged and moved. Our journey to Bethlehem begins in Eden, not Nazareth, and ends in a garden city, not Egypt. Jo Swinney reminds us that the Christmas story is part of God’s bigger story, and it’s one into which we are invited to play our part. It’s a whole story for the whole of life. I can’t think of a better way to prepare for Christmas.'\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaul Woolley, chief executive, LICC\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry Advent 2021. Review by Cavan Wood\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJo Swinney has produced a thoughtful and very readable book for Advent. The subtitle says it is ‘An advent adventure through Genesis, Revelation and points in between’. The selection of readings, prayers and reflection that suggest ways to develop the spiritual life are well presented and are a challenging read. The book in part has been reshaped as the author came face to face with a personal tragedy. It will be with me during Advent, enabling me to stop and consider during the time of preparation for Christmas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Cavan Wood\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCAVAN WOOD\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 22.10.21. Review by Lavinia Byrne\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere is a book that resolutely keeps the reader’s attention focused on Advent by gazing at the liturgical season through the lens of Christmas rather than the other way round.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSubtitled An Advent adventure through Genesis, Revelation and points in between, it has a full scriptural reach, bringing texts from both the Hebrew Scriptures and New Testament for exploration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith daily readings reaching from 1 December to 6 January, the book likewise embraces more than a calendar month, although the reader should be warned that Advent this year begins on 28 November. Along with the biblical texts, Jo Swinney provides a commentary, a reflection, and a prayer. As head of communications at A Rocha, an international charity specialising in ‘conservation and hope’, she has also worked for the Bible Society and the Scripture Union, using the MA in Theology which she gained from Regent College, Vancouver.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo far, so straightforward. But, as she describes in her introduction, a personal tragedy occurred early on as she was writing it, namely the death of her mother in a car accident in South Africa. This could have put a stop to her writing, only, as she herself observes, Advent is a ‘time of anticipation’, and so it exposes the reader to the themes of ‘salvation and restoration’. What could have been an academic exercise becomes something alive and actual. This sense of the reality of what the incarnation brings into our world — both on a personal and a public level — is best reflected in the book’s prayers, which are beautifully and authoritatively written.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Advent will be unlike any other, in so far as the actual celebration of Christmas will seem more possible than it did a year ago. How timely to have a book that captures the moment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLavinia Byrne is a writer and broadcaster.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Lucy Rycroft in her blog \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/thehopefilledfamily.com\/20-best-books-to-read-during-advent\/\"\u003eThe Hope Filled Family\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you’re looking for an Advent guide which will widen your experience beyond the gospel retellings, here it is. Like a grown-up version of the Jesse Tree, The Whole Christmas Story does just that: it ponders the whole Christmas story, starting with creation in Genesis and ending with the new heaven and new earth described in Revelation. The format is traditional: Bible passage (helpfully included in full), followed by articulate and warm commentary. \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.joswinney.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eJo Swinney \u003c\/a\u003eexpounds Scripture deeply and wisely, with nuance which stems from a recent tragedy. A worthy companion to your Advent.\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2021-08-10T16:00:00+01:00","created_at":"2021-07-28T20:53:35+01:00","vendor":"Jo Swinney","type":"Paperback","tags":["Advent","For individuals","PDF","Sep-21"],"price":899,"price_min":899,"price_max":899,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":40313727516863,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857469410","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":29500243902655,"product_id":6841090572479,"position":1,"created_at":"2021-07-28T20:53:36+01:00","updated_at":"2021-07-28T20:53:37+01:00","alt":null,"width":1181,"height":1800,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/thewholechristmasstory.jpg?v=1627502017","variant_ids":[40313727516863,40313727549631]},"available":true,"name":"The Whole Christmas Story: An Advent adventure through Genesis, Revelation, and points in between - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":899,"weight":175,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857469410","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":21874914885823,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":1800,"width":1181,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/thewholechristmasstory.jpg?v=1627502017"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]},{"id":40313727549631,"title":"PDF","option1":"PDF","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857469427","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":29500243902655,"product_id":6841090572479,"position":1,"created_at":"2021-07-28T20:53:36+01:00","updated_at":"2021-07-28T20:53:37+01:00","alt":null,"width":1181,"height":1800,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/thewholechristmasstory.jpg?v=1627502017","variant_ids":[40313727516863,40313727549631]},"available":true,"name":"The Whole Christmas Story: An Advent adventure through Genesis, Revelation, and points in between - PDF","public_title":"PDF","options":["PDF"],"price":899,"weight":175,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857469427","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":21874914885823,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":1800,"width":1181,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/thewholechristmasstory.jpg?v=1627502017"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/thewholechristmasstory.jpg?v=1627502017"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/thewholechristmasstory.jpg?v=1627502017","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":21874914885823,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":1800,"width":1181,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/thewholechristmasstory.jpg?v=1627502017"},"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":1800,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/thewholechristmasstory.jpg?v=1627502017","width":1181}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003eAdvent is a time to remember and reflect on the Christmas story and the baby at its heart. But the virgin birth, the manger, the mysterious eastern visitors and their portentous gifts – all these hint at a much grander narrative. Come and explore the whole Christmas story, and find your place within it. For Advent 2023 BRF Ministries and \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca title=\"LICC\" href=\"https:\/\/licc.org.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eLICC (London Institute of Contemporary Christianity)\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e are collaborating to \u003cstrong\u003eadapt The Whole Christmas Story into a 25 day devotional prayer journey\u003c\/strong\u003e which can be undertaken individually or as a church\/small group. Find out more about \u003ca title=\"The Whole Christmas Story Advent 2023 Devotional Prayer Journey\" href=\"https:\/\/licc.org.uk\/ourresources\/the-whole-christmas-story-devotional-journey-page\/\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Whole Christmas Story Advent 2023 Devotional Prayer Journey\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cimg data-mce-fragment=\"1\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/TheWholeChristmasStorygraphic_1_480x480.png?v=1695296122\" width=\"736\" height=\"221\" data-mce-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/TheWholeChristmasStorygraphic_1_480x480.png?v=1695296122\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJo Swinney is a UK-based author, speaker and editor, with an MA in theology from Regent College, Vancouver. She is director of communications for A-Rocha International and blogs at\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.joswinney.com\/\"\u003ejoswinney.com\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'I have only read half of this book so far but that has been enough for me to endorse it as the best Advent book I have ever come across and to encourage the Ministry Team at our church to select and recommend it this year. This is a book I have \u003cu\u003ewanted \u003c\/u\u003eto read as distinct from \u003cu\u003eought \u003c\/u\u003eto read! I love Jo’s style of writing . She makes the profound so accessible and thought provoking. I am going to start from the beginning again this Advent!'\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJane Cowan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'You’ve got an Advent treat in store with \u003cem\u003eThe Whole Christmas Story\u003c\/em\u003e! I was educated, encouraged, challenged and moved. Our journey to Bethlehem begins in Eden, not Nazareth, and ends in a garden city, not Egypt. Jo Swinney reminds us that the Christmas story is part of God’s bigger story, and it’s one into which we are invited to play our part. It’s a whole story for the whole of life. I can’t think of a better way to prepare for Christmas.'\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaul Woolley, chief executive, LICC\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry Advent 2021. Review by Cavan Wood\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJo Swinney has produced a thoughtful and very readable book for Advent. The subtitle says it is ‘An advent adventure through Genesis, Revelation and points in between’. The selection of readings, prayers and reflection that suggest ways to develop the spiritual life are well presented and are a challenging read. The book in part has been reshaped as the author came face to face with a personal tragedy. It will be with me during Advent, enabling me to stop and consider during the time of preparation for Christmas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Cavan Wood\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCAVAN WOOD\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 22.10.21. Review by Lavinia Byrne\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere is a book that resolutely keeps the reader’s attention focused on Advent by gazing at the liturgical season through the lens of Christmas rather than the other way round.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSubtitled An Advent adventure through Genesis, Revelation and points in between, it has a full scriptural reach, bringing texts from both the Hebrew Scriptures and New Testament for exploration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith daily readings reaching from 1 December to 6 January, the book likewise embraces more than a calendar month, although the reader should be warned that Advent this year begins on 28 November. Along with the biblical texts, Jo Swinney provides a commentary, a reflection, and a prayer. As head of communications at A Rocha, an international charity specialising in ‘conservation and hope’, she has also worked for the Bible Society and the Scripture Union, using the MA in Theology which she gained from Regent College, Vancouver.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo far, so straightforward. But, as she describes in her introduction, a personal tragedy occurred early on as she was writing it, namely the death of her mother in a car accident in South Africa. This could have put a stop to her writing, only, as she herself observes, Advent is a ‘time of anticipation’, and so it exposes the reader to the themes of ‘salvation and restoration’. What could have been an academic exercise becomes something alive and actual. This sense of the reality of what the incarnation brings into our world — both on a personal and a public level — is best reflected in the book’s prayers, which are beautifully and authoritatively written.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Advent will be unlike any other, in so far as the actual celebration of Christmas will seem more possible than it did a year ago. How timely to have a book that captures the moment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLavinia Byrne is a writer and broadcaster.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Lucy Rycroft in her blog \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/thehopefilledfamily.com\/20-best-books-to-read-during-advent\/\"\u003eThe Hope Filled Family\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you’re looking for an Advent guide which will widen your experience beyond the gospel retellings, here it is. Like a grown-up version of the Jesse Tree, The Whole Christmas Story does just that: it ponders the whole Christmas story, starting with creation in Genesis and ending with the new heaven and new earth described in Revelation. The format is traditional: Bible passage (helpfully included in full), followed by articulate and warm commentary. \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.joswinney.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eJo Swinney \u003c\/a\u003eexpounds Scripture deeply and wisely, with nuance which stems from a recent tragedy. A worthy companion to your Advent.\u003c\/p\u003e"}

The Whole Christmas Story: An Advent adventure through Genesis, Revelation, and points in between

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Advent is a time to remember and reflect on the Christmas story and the baby at its heart. But the...

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Christmas Voices

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The Whole Christmas Story: An Advent adventure through Genesis, Revelation, and points in between