Advent Books

THIS IS A LOVELY BOOK WHICH WILL GIVE HOURS OF PLEASURE. WELL WORTH BUYING.

Our daughter's name is Laura, so it is extra-special at our house. It is a great addition to our Christmas collection. Always a favorite bedtime story at holiday time!!

THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL STORY ABOUT THE ANTICIPATION OF CHRISTMAS AND BELIEVING IN MAGIC.

THE ILLUSTRATIONS ARE COLORFUL AND THE SPARKLE OF STARLIGHT GIVE CHILDREN SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO PAGE AFTER PAGE

"The Light at Tern Rock" is an excellent book to read to your class or have your class read as a trade book during the holiday season. It teaches students to think of others at this time of year and not to always concentrate on themselves. It is suitable for third through fifth graders. It also gives the reader the feeling for living in a lighthouse and what life was like for these people living in desolation. It is an excellent history lesson along with a strong moral lesson. You never tire of the words year after year.

This is such a great book for young readers because the detail on every page is exalent.Though in parts of the book it can get confusing but if you try to stick with it you will get it a whole lot better.Believe me this comes from my own experience!!!!!!I would definately recomend this book because dont let its looks diceve you, it may be short but its filled with lots of information!

This book tells the story of Ronnie and his aunt Martha Morse. The two are tending the lighthouse as volunteers so the official lighthouse tender can spend time with his daughter. They must take care of the Tern Rock Light until December 15. They must dust, clean, and take care of it. But the fifteenth of December comes, and no one is there to pick the two up. Will they have to spend Christmas in an isolated and remote lighthouse?
In this wonderful book, Ronnie and his aunt learn that Christmas is beautiful anywhere, and the importance of a promise.
This 1952 Newbery Honor Book is for ages 6-13.

Thomas A. Pilgrim, personal friend for forty years, has published his seventh book. I have found all seven of them most creative and helpful.
In "The Light of Bethlehem Shines On," the incarnation comes alive again. How we need its guiding light in this day of terrorism and uncertainty. Having visited Bethlehem twice myself, I believe that the hopes and fears of all the years are met in him who was born 2000 years ago in that humble stable.
As usual Tom's stories and humor are gripping. With Advent only a short time away, this is a book that will prepare the thoughtful and sensitive preacher for one of the most hopeful seasons of the year.
Therefore, let us all pray, "Beautiful Star of Bethlehem Shine On."

Dr. Pilgrim has skillfully given us what the publisher describes as "a steady lighthouse while we navigate the shoals of life." He takes us week by week through the seven Sundays of Advent and Christmas and Epiphany Sunday, presenting a sermon, a children's message, a prayer, and liturgy for each Sunday. He's a fine preacher and writer, and his themes are universal: finding light in the darkness of despair, suffering, oppression, fear, anxiety, uncertainly, and suspicion. Busy pastors will find this both inspirational and helpful at a hectic time of year. Christian readers will find here powerful words to see them through life's tough times. His book is a treasure!

"The Light of Bethlehem Shines On" is about the birth of Jesus in Bethlenhem and although this birth took place two thousand years ago, Jesus' birth is still a light of hope that appears in the darkness of our despair, in the darkness of our suffering, in the darkness of our oppression, in the darkness of our fear, in the darkness of our anxiety, in the darkness of our uncertainty, and in the darkness of our suspicion.

Since Tom Pilgrim has actually traveled to the Holy Land at least eight times, he writes in such a delightful and entertaining way that you can see what he is saying. Indeed, there are some great illustrations painted by Tom Pilgrim, and in great detail, too. The illustrations are deliriously hilarious, and they make simple healing spiritual points.

What I like best about this book of sermons is that you find within its pages there is something for everyone. There is a message for adults, youth and children.

In this book, Tom Pilgrim says in one of his sermons entitled "In Darkness of Fear, There is the Light of Joy", that when his children were small, they would have a long list of things they wanted for Christmas. Down at the bottom of the list, they would write, "Lots of surprises."

That's what you will find in this book--"The Light of Bethlehem Shines On"--lots of surprises."

You will also find healing. With heartfelt conviction, Tom Pilgrim enters your pain with soul-shaking stories and anecdotes, shoots adrenaline into your soul, and converts your weeping into laughter and your grief into joy. So, if you need a light for the dark places in your life, if you need encouragement, if you need peace, if you need your heart filled with joy, if you need new direction, this book is a must read!

This little coloring book is great. You don't have to be an artist to get good results. Really cute, and a bargain. Bought several more, different kinds. Holiday ones are best.

This was our first stained glass coloring book and the whole family enjoyed it. The paper is thick and smooth and lovely to color with markers or crayons. The designs are simple enough for young children to color but adults can embellish them with shading, etc. Often the kids would lose interest after about 30-40 minutes but the adults would keep on coloring. We have since much enjoyed the Tiffany book as well.

Used during a school club (6th-8th). Kids loved it. Used markers, both permanent and washable. Takes about 20-25 minutes to completely color a page.

This is a GREAT book! My mother bought it for my 2 daughters after we all got lost in Boston. I have been reading this book to my oldest (age 3 1/2) daughter for over six months and neither she nor I have tired of it yet. The words flow well and the illustrations are beautiful! I just ordered 2 more books by the same author ("Sisters" and "Santa's Name book") for my two daughters. I anticipate that we all will enjoy them just as much!

Great book! McPhail does a wonderful job with the topic of being lost. A boy, a bear, friendship and finding the way home. I enjoyed it as much as my child.

This is a great book! And like so many of David McPhails books, it's worth buying the hardcover. Who's lost, the boy or the bear? A friendship develops while trying to find the way home. McPhail does a wonderful job covering the topic of being lost.

Like the wise woman she is, Jan Richardson brings to the Christmas story her own luminous words and images, inviting the reader to journey with her into the central mystery of the story - the Word becoming flesh - and to discover what meaning this can have for one's own life. This beautifully crafted book will be a treasured companion to take with me as I travel through this holy season each year.

Jan L. Richardson's The Luminous Word: Entering the Mysteries of Advent & Christmas has given me a long, long awaited for Sacred and all-inclusive experience of the peculiar Advent Season. When I read in The Luminous Word that Mary chose, "to bear the Word, before agreeing to become the mother of God," as Rev. Richardson invites readers to ponder, that, "Mary had been [immersed]"in the ancient texts, letting the prayers and stories that had spiraled through the generations unwind in her. . . .", I felt, for the first time, that I actually can participate in what, for so many years, had been simply an inaccessible experience told in inaccessible words on the pages of an exclusive book, the Bible. Oh, I thought, Mary chose to open her life in this way; she was not required. Richardson also calls readers to consider the choice that Joseph made, Joseph, whom I had so marginalized in this strange story, Joseph, who chose to not only believe but to also act on his sacred dream. By weaving in her own present-day personal experiences, as well as making reference to texts such as the Book of Kells and the Lindisfarne Gospels, Richardson takes this ancient mystical story into the 21st century world and suggests that readers of The Luminous Word open their minds and lives to an ancient mysterious story. This story does invite mental struggle and spiritual wrestling, but ultimately serves hope that as Rev. Richardson says about her life, "As with Jacob who struggled with the nighttime angel in the wilderness, the wrestling helps me know my true name." The Luminous Word allows me, now, to choose my "true name."

Jan's work is amazing. Her style easily invites the reader to an intimate encounter with both her words and her illustrations. Particularly welcome with this book is the experience of holding the hand-bound pages, blessed and signed by Jan. This unusually creative expression has found a place on my "read it every year" shelf.

This wonderful little book uses a repetitious pattern (ala "A Hole in the Ground" or "The House that Jack Built") to explain the events of a family Passover Seder. The text is full of rhythm and the illustrations are beautiful, warm, and soft bringing to life the closeness of community and illustrating the importance of family during such an important celebration. Those familiar with the traditions described herein will enjoy the book for the memories it can help evoke and those unfamiliar with such things as "matzah", "Dayenu", and "afikoman" will delight in learning about them.

Although this is a child's book, like Tevye, it drinks to life. It's a real seder! No one sits down! Someone spills something. A kid falls alseep! The tateh can read and see naughtiness out of the same eye! Here is genuine glee and warmth. A well-meaning Protestant reviewer called its form "The House that Jack Built," but it is, of course, "Chad Gadyoh" Everything in the contextual information at the back is clear and accurate - I used it at a seder for a mixed crowd who, after they understood the references, fell in love with the rhymes. And with the girl who Reads the Four Questions Nice and Loud.

This book, especially the illustrations, captures all the warmth and poignancy of family sedars. The subtleties in the pictures (Papa's hand clutching the son's arm, who is reaching for the matzah; the child asleep on the table; the many conversations being held at once) bring back so many childhood memories. A beautifully written and magnificently illustrated book for all ages!

Currently the amazon detail page for this 28 page product lists the Ignatius Press itself as the author, yet their website lists a Frances Johnson as author, the cover image here being to blurry to see. Therefore I have submitted a request for product update to list the author as listed by the publisher.*

Nevertheless, as the publisher's own product description page mentions in detail the RSV's translation of Saint Luke and of Saint Matthew as source of the text, and three other artists as illustrators, perhaps Ms. Johnson's role might better be described as editor or compiler. Here in part is the publisher's presentation of the pictures's provenance:

"Gerard Horenbout, one of the illuminators of The Sforza Hours, illustrates a simple Nativity using rich reds, greens and blues; the Annunciation to the Shepherds, depicted by the Master of the Duke of Bedford, is marvelously detailed and surrounded by classic miniatures; the Master of the Dresden Hours, a prolific Flemish artist of the late 1400's, has strewn his Epiphany with flowers, so realistic that it seems possible to pick them off the page."

Certainly a slim selection at 28 pages but one worthwhile, despite any scholar sniffing at the exact date when the medieval age drew to a close.

For further reading along these lines please see the numerous Christmas commentaries, in particular the meditations of Charles De Foucauld in the Poor Claire's garden in Bethlehem, the Reverend Father John Dear's Mary of Nazareth: Prophet of Peace, and of course Father Leonardo Boff's new book on the Hail Mary and Our Father, etc.

*please note that our great and mighty amazon has made the corrections as requested. We must all give thanks each and every one of us for this remarkable service unimaginable just a generation ago.

I'm just writing to correct the Midwestern Book Review's review. The translation is the Revised (not "Roman") Standard Version, Catholic Edition. The RSV is the finest translation available, in my opinion. The RSV-CE Bible is available by Ignatius Press as the Ignatius Holy Bible.

If you want to see the cover of the book, go to the Ignatius Press homepage.

A Medieval Christmas illustrates words of scripture (taken verbatim from the Roman Standard Version, Catholic edition, of the Gospels of St. Matthew and St. Luke). Gorgeous medieval-style color illustrations of humans and angels illuminate the scriptural tale of the birth and early life of Jesus Christ. A Medieval Christmas is an enthusiastically recommended holiday season treasure for all ages.

(The two books have been combined and are available in audiobook)

A Memory of Christmas Tea is the long-awaited sequel to the beloved bestseller, A Cup of Christmas Tea, written 25 years ago.

In A Cup of Christmas Tea, the man had to go visit an old aunt--and tried to get out of it. Many of us can identify with that. But once there, their time together was precious.

"...I didn't know that this would be our final cup of tea, I only knew that my Great Aunt was listening to me."

Now years later, the nephew tells us that his old Great Aunt always believed in him, and listened to him talk about his life. Before she died, she made him promise her something, but he writes:

"My life was an emergency, a crisis, and a race, with problems running after me and at me at a place that only was accelerating as the years flew by. So if I couldn't stop for tea, I had my reasons why."

His promise to his aunt was that every year he would take time to invite someone in for Christmas tea, served out of her beautiful Christmas tea set she willed to him.

The book has some reminiscing about the good times, big family gatherings of when he (and I) was young, but the message for today is to take that time to do something special for someone else, to have that cup of tea.

Warren Hanson's wonderful illustrations match the first book. The teaming up of Hegg and Hanson has provided many wonderful books as they complement each other so well.

This book would be a nice addition to those special books you bring out when you need to be reminded about those who have gone before us--and the role they played in our life--at holidays or all year long.

Armchair Interviews says: Raise a cup of tea to another special Christmas story.

I know Tom Hegg personaly, he is a great guy. The book is very warm and sentimental. If you liked "A Cup..." you'll love this one. BUY IT PLEASE

Tom Hegg seems quite unashamed to be sentimental. Revisiting the themes of his first book, A Cup of Christmas Tea, Hegg again gently chides his reader to remember the important things in life; taking the time to take time for others is central to his work. As always with Hegg's work, this is not a poem for the cynical, or indeed for those whose poetry must be "deep". It is straightforward, and unabashedly honest. Hegg revisits his narrator's great aunt, and the message she taught him many years before, but does so in such a way that avoids being sugary sweet. Her influence, gentle but firm, prompts the narrator to make time to find Christmas within, and share a cup of Christmas Tea with "someone"...we never know who, and it doesn't really matter. If you are a fan of Hegg and Hanson's work, you will love A Memory of Christmas Tea. If you're new to this pair, read A Cup of Christmas Tea first. The echoes in words, and in Hanson's nuanced illustrations of the first book make the sequel all the richer.

Although the price is rather high the coupons are definitely worth it! Editor Stocke really has a talent for creating easy, simple, get you off the hook, Christmas presents. I haven't seen a present of this sort since graduating grade school. It's the same as the third grade art projects but it's much more polished and paid for. My parents wonder why the gift seems so familiar . . . The only change I would make is to somehow include a method of magnetically attaching it to the refrigerator.

Words won't really suffice. Let us hope that Stocke and his staff--which must be a mighty talented staff indeed!--have what it takes to create an Arbor Day Coupon book as well.

A great book, edited by a great man, for a great time.

If you're like me, then you love CHRISTMAS!!! If you're like me, then you love COUPONS!!! If you're like me, then you will want to give Todd Stocke (editor) a fat kiss on the mouth and a free trip to Mozambique for giving you all these fantastimorphically fabulicious ideas! It's the best thing to happen to my holidays since my leg went bad and I had to have a chimney sweep come out and rip the soot out of my fireplace, allowing me and the missus to have a rip-roaring fire burning dangerously close to our Douglas Fir. A HAP-DAPPILY WONDERIFFIC BOOK, AND A ZIP-ZIPPIDY CHRISTMAS TO ALL Y'ALL!!!