Viewing all items in Resource Category: Editorial

God’s Special Gift From the Vicar God with us Emmanuel means ‘God with us’ An On-Going Story The hour-glass of Christmas ** Editor:  The Rev Paul Hardingham considers the unthinkable God’s Special Gift For those of us about to spend Christmas with a new child or grandchild, we will know how very special the arrival...

“A cold coming they had of it at this time of the year, just the worst time of the year to take a journey, and specially a long journey, in.  The way’s deep, the weather sharp, the days short, the sun farthest off, in solstitio brumali, the very dead of winter.” It was 1622, and...

By Ian Long, BRF, £6.99 This is the Christmas story told as a visual expression, or in ‘blob style’.  It can be enjoyed by readers and non-readers alike, but is particularly helpful for those who find reading difficult. The Bible text appears opposite colourful verse-by-verse illustrations that encourage engagement with the story.  It will be...

by Bethan James, Authentic, £3.99 You can help your children to prepare for Christmas with this fun-packed puzzle book.  The story of Christmas is introduced at the beginning of the book, and then it is explored through fun activity pages, so the child is able to engage with the story.

Ever wonder where many of our Christmas traditions come from?   A surprising amount of our modern Christmas celebrations can be traced back to the well-loved story of ‘A Christmas Carol’, by Charles Dickens. When you read ‘A Christmas Carol’, you discover almost a template of the ‘ideal Christmas’ which we still hold dear today.  Dickens...

A simple trough for feeding stock Had stood, for many years, As humble as the wint’ring flock – Besmirched by filthy smears. This manger mean inspired no thought As day succeeded day, Save by the stable lad who sought To fill it up with hay. And yet this old and dirty thing That stood unloved,...

by Sally Ann Wright, Authentic, £4.99 Mary had a baby boy in a stable in Bethlehem on that first Christmas day. His mother loved Him, angels sang for Him and the stars shone brightly when Jesus was born. Now Christmas is celebrated all over the world because Jesus was born on that very first Christmas...

It is to St Luke’s wonderful gospel that many Christians turn as the year draws to a close and Christmas approaches, for it is to St Luke that we owe the fullest account of the nativity. Luke alone tells us the story of Mary and the angel’s visit to her, and has thus given the...

by Tony Spiller, BRF, £8.99 This collection would make a good stocking-filler. It is packed full of biblical brain-teasers – clever crosswords, tantalising anagrams, word searches, mazes and magic squares. The puzzles have been compiled to show how people worked, lived and died in the Middle East over 2,000 years ago.  All the clues are...

For those of us about to spend Christmas with a new child or grandchild, we will know how very special the arrival of a baby is! This Christmas we celebrate again God’s gift of Jesus: ‘Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!’ (2 Corinthians 9:15). What can we say about this baby? He is...

Remember the reason for the season. It’s Jesus’ birthday, not yours! Plan ahead. How much can you realistically afford? Don’t just head for the shops with your credit card. Don’t do the last-minute buying frenzy. Shop early, when you can think clearly. Christmas is an expensive time of year for everyone.  With some close friends...

by Derek Tidball, BRF, £5.99 This is the first New Testament title in a very useful new series of short, accessible guides to books of the Bible. Each Really Useful Guide focuses on a specific biblical book, bringing it to life for the reader, enabling them to understand its meaning and apply its truth in...