Advent/Christmas Resources

BOOKS

The Adult Journey: Advent to Easter, Frank Hainer, Editor. Units in this book are developed under three categories: Biblical Story, Reformed Theology and Ministry and Mission.  From the Celebrate Curriculum for adults.  Copies are available from 1989-1992

All Paths Lead to Bethlehem, Patricia and Fredrick    Augsburg Publishing

The Angel, the Spider and the Christmas Tree, Alice Dare    Bridge Resources 1996

The Beggars' Christmas, John Aurelio     Paulist Press 1979

A Child Is Born, JU Barrie Shepherd    The Westminster Press, 1988

Christmas Hymn Activities Volume I  Highlights Christian teaching about Christmas in 2 volumes.  Volume I includes background on Christmas hymns relating to invitation and angels: Joy to the World,  O Come, O Come Emmanuel & O Little Town of Bethlehem and Hark the Herald Angels Sing. 

Christmas Hymn Activities Volume II focuses on hymns relating to the manger: What Child Is This? Away in a Manger, and Silent Night and Come-See then Go-Tell. O Come All Ye Faithful, We Three Kings, and Go Tell It on the Mountain.  Suggestions for activities included.   Brethren House 1983   74 pages

Christmas Praise, Waldo Beach, Editor    Westminster/John Knox 1991

Creative Ideas for Advent Volume I & II, Robert G. Davidson   A resource for creating planning of Advent and Christmas programs in the church.  Material is divided into three major sections: Church, Children & Youth Activities.   Educational Ministries 1980

Design for Celebrating Advent, Christmas and Epiphany    Presbyterian Publishing 1988

Four Sundays in Advent, Patricia and Donald Griggs 1970

The Fruit of the Spiit   Activities for children of all ages  General Assembly 1999

Kneeling in Bethlehem, Ann Weems     The Westminster Press 1987

The Piano Man's Christmas, Ira Williams, Jr.   Includes other Christmas stories   Abington Press 1986  

The Roads from Bethlehem, Pegram Johnson III, Editor  Christmas Literature from Writers Ancient and Modern   Westminster/John Knox 1993  316 pages

Sacraments and Season   Developed and compiled by Barbara Battin.  Peacemaking through worship, with materials and resources focused on the spiritual as well as a social justice, mission, and peacemaking theme.  Published by the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program

The Story of Christmas for Children, Catharine Brandt, Augsburg Publishing 1974

Teaching and Celebrating Advent, Patricia and Donald Griggs, Griggs Educational 1974

Things to Make and Do for Advent and Christmas, Martha Bettis Gee   Creative Activities for Children's Ministry   Bridge Resources 199790 pages

We Light the Candles, by Catherine Brandt    Devotions related to family use of Advent Wreath Augsburg Publishing 1976

  BOOKLETS

“Advent” by Trudy VanderHaar    A Congregational Life/Intergenerational Experience for the entire family, for entire the church community, for people of all ages; emphasizes doing things together. United Church Press 1977

“Celebrating Christmas, Advent, Epiphany” by Jay Frankson   Celebrate seasonal action course for youth. Youth Action Curriculum 1996  

“The Jesse Tree” by Raymond and Georgene Anderson  The heritage of Jesus in stories and symbols of advent for the family. Fortress Press 1966

“Meditations for Advent and Christmas” by James G. Kirk   Westminster/John Knox 1989

“A Rainbow of Seasons” by Sharon Lee    Book includes a section on each season of the year – Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost.  Each section contains a wealth of ideas for activities and worship.  Augsburg Publishing 1983  

“Simeon's SecretJanice Kramer   Concordia Publishing 1969

  PACKETS

Celebrating Advent at Home  Packet contains booklets on "Celebrating Advent at Home" and "Celebrating the Twelve Days of Christmas"  Includes 2 coloring books and "Countdown to Christmas" calendar

  The Festivals of Christmas  Includes planning guide, activity leaflets, resource book, two filmstrips and a Christmas calendar

Preparing for the Messiah  Ideas for teaching and celebrating Advent; packet includes thoughtful and well-organized workbook for church school teachers; included are suggestions for games, music, enjoyable work projects, etc.  Also booklet on "The Family Prepares for the Messiah"   Abingdon/Nashville 1981

  PLAYS

Baby Jesus, Bob D. Fronterhouse C.S.S. Publishing

The Christmas Story, John R. Campbell C.S.S. Publishing

Faith in Life Dramas for Youth   46 pages

Holiday Plays, Frank V. Priore Includes Easter, Thanksgiving & Christmas Abington Press 1988

Prize-Winning Christmas Programs, Charles A. Holmes Contains easy-to-produce Christmas programs with real spiritual impact and for all departments of the Sunday School; adaptable to any size school or department and are complete with narration and directions  Scripture Press 1985

Star-A-Bright, Bob D. Fronterhouse Contemporary Christmas drama C.S.S. Publishing 

Tomorrow We Go To Bethlehem, John McTavish, Editor   5 Christmas plays   Abington Press 1986

White Christmas, Dorothy Clarke Wilson, Walter H. Baker

VIDEOS

Angels All Around Us   Joan Wester Anderson, a leading expert on angels and author, recalls how her life has been touched forever by an angel.  She also shares the fruit of years of personal research as she outlines the four types of angel experiences.  29 minutes Color  Youth/Adult.

  Barrington Bunny An animated version of the classic children's story.  Barrington is lonely and looking for someone with whom to share Christmas Eve since he has no family.  He learns that all the animals of the forest are his family.  He sacrifices himself to save the life a lost field mouse.   8 min

  The Best Christmas Pageant Ever   Loretta Swift stars in this Christmas story.  Beware the Herdmans! They are the nastiest, dirtiest kids you could ever meet… and they've just decided they belong in this year's pageant!  But the town thinks they belong in the care of the local police.  When the curtain finally goes up, a miracle begins and it all turns into the best Christmas Pageant ever!  Color

  The Christian Year   The Christian Year is a calendar of hope based on the story of the life of Christ.  Overview of the Christian Year, Advent, Christmas/Epiphany, Lent and Holy Week, Easter and Ordinary Time - can be used separately throughout the year to highlight these seasons.  

  Christmas for Children- Series I   Three videos: The Christmas Donkey; The Silent Night of Jeremy Rabbit; The Christmas Journey of Deborah Dove   35 minutes

Christmas for Children - Series II Three videos: Peter and the Hermit; The Other Wise Man; The Joy of Christmas   35 minutes

Christmas Is A delightful animated adventure of Benji and his dog Waldo   18 minutes

The Christmas Messenger   A kindly stranger tells his companion the stories behind Christmas carols.  Gradually we learn that the stranger is really the Christmas angel who returns each year to see if his message of love is being repeated.  Discussion guide.

The Christmas Story   Storyteller Dawn Walker makes understanding easier for children ages 5 to 10    24 minutes

The City That Forgot About Christmas   Grandfather shares a story that will teach you and your family that it isn't the decorations and the celebrations that make Christmas important.  All ages

Davey and Goliath: Christmas Lost and Found   It's not until he decides to give away something important to him that Davey discovers the true meaning of Christmas.  

Davey and Goliath: New Year Promises   Davey is offered the honor of ringing in the New Year as a reward for shoveling the church walk. 30 minutes  

 A Good and Perfect Gift   A film for all age groups.  It tells the story of a child's faith that God will answer her prayer for a "Christmas Daddy."  Discussion guide included.   24 minutes

Jesus and His Times: The Story Begins On a dusty road with Mary and Joseph making their way to the tiny village of Bethlehem, learn about the life of King Herod and about the wise men from the East. 

Lighting the Way   Multi-cultural video featuring four young people and their family celebrations of Kwanzaa, La Posada, Hanukkah and Christmas.   30 minutes

The Little Brown Burro   Musical Christmas story woven into Christian Christmas beliefs.  Color   30 min.

The Little Troll Prince - A Christmas Parable   Excellent for children's church and other children's programs for your Christmas or Advent programs.  Hanna-Barbera Productions   46 minutes 

Mary Had A Baby-Amen!   This delightful story of the birth of Christ is told by Simon, the rhyming mouse.  It's a story children will want to experience again and again.  Great for classroom or home viewing

McGee & Me-'Twas the Fight Before Christmas   Focus on the family.  Nick is very caught up in the fun of the Christmas season with everything from plays to decorations to finding the perfect present for Mom.  However, this Christmas is different.  Nick discovers the deeper meaning of the season through an unexpected person.  30 minutes  

Merry Christmas, Strega Nona   Strega Nona, the beloved Christmas Witch of Calabria, is busy at work preparing for her annual Christmastime feast for the whole town.  When questioned by her helper, Big Anthony, about why she's not using her magic to help with the many preparations, Strega Nono replies, "No magic at Christmastime.  Christmastime has a magic of its own."

Mr. Krueger's Christmas   Actor Jimmy Stewart plays Willy Drueger, a lonely old janitor who daydreams of a happier life, about telling the Christ Child his problems, only to awaken to his lonely apartment.  His holiday is saved when carolers invite him to join them for Christmas dinner.  A delightful story of a lonely man whose Christmas fantasies finally come true.    25 minutes

The Nativity   This timeless story is narrated by Princess Grace of Monaco, reading from the King James Bible.  Features glorious choral music.  Intergenerational   10 mins

  Noel - A Christmas Story for All Generations   Narrated by Charlton Heston, this video can be used as a charming story or to stimulate discussion about the meaning of Christmas.  It is a heartwarming tale of a Christmas tree ornament that comes to life through the magic of a glassblower's love.   25 minutes

The Puzzle Club Christmas Mystery   It's only a few days before Christmas and strange things are happening in New Bristol.  A deserted mansion seems haunted, nativity scene pieces disappear, and so does Todd Pennington!  It's up to the talents of the Puzzle Club to put the clues together and solve this Christmas mystery!   24 minutes

Quigley's Village   There is more to Christmas than getting presents.  Danny's present is accidentally lost and the children go overboard trying to make baby Jesus comfortable in the Christmas pageant.  3 videos: Always Be Thankful; Christmas; Sharing With Others

Rough Edges   A vandalized Nativity scene and a park bench set the stage for a delightful, poignant drama that forces two women, one with plenty and one without, to look beyond the "wrappings" to where the true wealth of the spirit of Christmas thrives.  

The Royal Crown   Though the story is the familiar one of the Gospels, the language is fresh and contemporary, and the still illustrations suggest the Nazareth and Bethlehem of Jesus' time. 

Silent Mouse   Humor, charm and historical truth with Lynn Redgrave.  A one-hour Christmas special for family viewing.   60 minutes

The Spirit of the Season   This video brings the true meaning of Christmas to life.  Ernest Borgnine stars as a grandfather trying to make the Christmas season more meaningful for those around him.   77 minutes

The Stableboy's Christmas   A little girl wants her cousin's Christmas gift and gets into an argument over the doll with her parents.  In anger she flops by the tree in front of the Nativity scene.  The figures come to life and re-enact the first Christmas to show her that the true meaning of Christmas is Christ's coming, not only the gifts we want.  David, a stableboy in Bethlehem at the time when Jesus was born, is the central figure in this Emmy Award-winning dramatic video.  Children/Youth/Adults   27 minutes

Star of Bethlehem This video uses animated silhouettes against a background of colorful artwork to visualize the story.  All ages   13 minutes

Welcome the Stranger   A story about two children who came upon a shepherd who had just heard the Angel Chorus.  He tells of the Old Testament prophecy of the Messiah and goes with the children to the manger in Bethlehem.  Features the loveable life-like Peppercorn puppets and interweaves familiar carols with the story.  All ages.   18 minutes

Veggie Tales - Episode 6: The Toy That Saved Christmas   Mr. Nezzer is back!  His commercials have convinced the kids of Dinkletown that "Christmas is when you get stuff!"  One brave toy decides to escape the factory and find out the real meaning of Christmas.  He learns and then teaches viewers that Christmas is about giving and the gift of Jesus, the greatest gift of all.