FOF continues its Advent tradition in grand fashion!
936937
FOF continues its Advent tradition in grand fashion! Hear all of these songs again, for the first time. A true worship experience!
1059451
Watch for the Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas
with writings from Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Annie Dillard, C. S. Lewis, Henri Nouwen, and more
Released by Plough Publishing

Watch for the Light is a collection 45 selections to read and contemplate throughout the Advent season.  The selections are dated beginning with November 24th and continuing through January 7th (Epiphany).

This book allows us to take a step back from the hectic and relentless pace we've let ourselves be caught up in, to truly grasp the meaning that this season should hold for us.  It's not endless activities - parties, programs, present buying, year-end brag-bemoan letters.  But rather this is a time of remembered celebration of a simple, humble birth and a life of sacrifice that ended not on a cross but continues yet today and is endless.

If you have ever wondered what it's all about take the time to Watch for the Light and reawaken the wonder of the season in your life this year.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher Plough Publishing House through Handlebar in exchange for my honest review.
1672375
This book has helped us stay focused on the true meaning of Christmas. We do our Advent time every day and take turns reading one ornament  per day.  Then we hang it on the tree. By Christmas all the ornaments are up on the tree. We also go to ATrueChristmas.org web site for more activities like this.  This item will become a family heirloom. It's wonderful.
4572011
I love the Advent season! Cheryle Touchton's Pocket Full of Christmas is an outstanding book! It helped me organize my Christmas shopping, was a wonderful devotion book through the holidays and gave me and my family some great ideas about how to make our Christmas Christ filled!

If you love the holidays then grab a blanket, turn on some Christmas tunes, make a cup of piping hot cocoa and sit back and enjoy this wonderful book!
1169839
Biblically faithful and harmoniously arranged in a coherent, logical sequence, this simple adaptation of nativity and incarnation texts from three Gospels (Matthew, Luke, and John) assigns the words of Scripture in a fresh way to various voices and characters. Thus, e.g., we have Herod growling that the darkness not has been able to overcome the light. Wonderful! With this creative approach, Hansen invites congregations to read and hear anew the canonical account of Christ's first advent in a way that will strengthen faith, inspire worship, and provoke delight. Thank you for doing this, Gary. Good for you! And good for the church that performs Christmas Play!
2611266
As a mega Star Wars fan myself who has cultivated little Jedis of my own, I've been ordering the LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar since they began production.  Like every LEGO set, it's high quality and well designed!

My sons absolutely love counting the days of Advent this way and take turns opening the "windows" each day to find out what Star Wars figure, vehicle or accessories are inside.  Each one must be built, which adds to the fun.  The instructions for building the piece are on the inside flap of the little "window." We always find that each set has extra pieces included, too, which my sons enjoy as it add to their LEGO collection of random pieces to use with other building projects.

This set was one of our favorites to date, probably because it contained Darth Vader in a Santa suit, which really tickled our sci-fi funny bone.

The only aspect I don't like about the sets is that the entire collection is displayed on the front picture, so some of the surprise element is removed.  I'd prefer that the box had a more generic photo or at least left some of the set a mystery.  My kids, however, don't seem to mind one bit. They rush to open it each morning and spend a great deal of time setting up and playing with the new set or character they discover.  At the end of Advent, they always set up a scene under the Christmas tree, which is pretty cute, too.

It's a little pricey, but sometimes you can catch a sale or deal.  Double thumbs up for the LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar 75056!  We'll be back to purchase the 2015 set!
1278379
The Krumwerths used to be a happy family who got along and loved each other. They made time for one another and cared. Things have changed, life has gotten in the way and other things have been more important than family. The Krumwerths have made there way on the naughty list again this year. And they have one chance to get off of it.

Marmel the elf is the elf in charge of categorizing the naughty and nice. He doesnt have any hope that the Kruswerths can get off the naughty list, no matter how hard their daughter, Amanda is trying. The story is told in dual p.o.v. (Amanda Krumwerth and Marmel the elf). I listened to the audio version of this book and the narration is fantastic. It was a short read (a little over three hours to listen) and was the perfect story to listen to today while I wrapped my Christmas gifts.

I was in the mood for a fun and magical Christmas story and this was just that. If you're looking for a Christmas read/audio book to put you in the spirit (and one your entire family could read/listen to) I would recommend this!
2296833
Our family really enjoyed these advent readings this year! Ray Pritchard offers down-to-earth yet profound truths about what we're celebrating -- the coming of Christ. I recommend it to any family who wants to focus their minds and hearts on the reason for His coming.
1823883
These Lego Advent sets are awesome!  I first saw one at my brother's house years ago and as an adult he enjoys it immensely!  My mother got them for my son (14) and nephew (13) last year and they loved them.  We all fought over who got to put them together every day as it was so much fun.  It really brought us together as a family each night waiting to see what that day's project would be!  My mother is hoping to make it a tradition and has already purchased them for this year as they tend to go fast!
4019878
We've been looking for a family Advent book for a long time and we are so glad to have found this one.  It's easy to use, our kids understand it, and we are excited to incorporate this into our celebration of Advent and Christmas.
1748760
I led the Christmas Eve morning service on Sunday, Dec 24, 2017, and one of the finest readers in my Unitarian Universalist church read this story aloud--dramatically, using a real candle that was passed among the congregation to fit episodes in the story. Those who despise and sneer at "political correctness" (which was taught by my parents as "common courtesy" while I was growing up) won't like it, which should be a solid recommendation for parents teaching manners to their children.

The author takes us through a big city apartment building where an odd-looking but radiant candle becomes the unifier, starting with the building's basement maintenance man, a 1st floor elderly woman preparing a Thanksgiving dinner for visitors, and passed along to residents of different colors and faiths in upper stories--Jewish and Christian at their religious holy days, a black family celebrating Kwanzaa, and a newly-arrived Muslim family.  It ends with a blizzard just after New Year's (like our snows of January 2018) that shut down the building's electricity. The candle has been passed along to worried Muslim children whose father is somewhere in the snowbound city in a truck with their belongings.  When dad finally arrives home safely, guided by the candle in their window and by elderly, Jewish and Christian stairwell helpers with flashlights, it ends in a crowded moving-in celebration with the friendly neighbors and maintenance man bringing potluck and temporary furnishings.  The congregation loved this story!  Since I know it will be used  year after year in the Sunday School, I donated my copy to the R.E. Department.  And as you can see from the cover picture, the artwork is colorful and lively, too.  HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR PARENTS, PRESCHOOLS, EARLY GRADES AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATORS!
2706220
Saving Christmas, and the planet! In this third book in his series, Landis Wade has fun with elf names ("Mistletoe" and "Snowflake"), people names ("Greenback" and "Wingnut" are favorites), and everything else surrounding the legality of Santa's identity and property! With some nods to current events (such as "fake news" from avaricious elves and--spoiler alert--the Paris Accord), Wade explores the joys of hidden identities, and agendas, in the elf world, as well as the ongoing satisfaction of standing up to bullies, of any ilk. A great book to read with kids, and True Believers of all ages!
868202
A very nice Christmas piece to add to the anticipation of the holiday!
1913915
This is one of the best advent calendars out there in my opinion. My children, ages 5, 3, and 1 can't wait to open the "door" each morning and see what magnet they get to put up. I love that it actually becomes the full nativity scene, instead of just a tree or a santa or something non Christian. Love it and would highly recommend it!
2150507
I'm so excited about this Advent book! All ages can explore the pages with both delight and depth - the insights, questions, and encouragement are all powerful. I can't wait to sit down with my little ones this Advent season, and especially with this beautiful perspective of Jesus' return and our expectant hope. The author's genuine heart and faith and pursuit of her faith shines through the writing - and the illustrator similarly points to Christ through her portraits of beauty and Truth. What a treasure!
3635727
This was a great way to spend the advent season with my children. I wanted to use Voskamp's previous "adult" version of The Wonder of the Greatest Gift but found that to be a bit to wordy for my crew. That will be my own personal devotion next year. The quality of the book is high, and the artwork is truly majestic. I am a big Ann Voskamp fan- love her message and style.
3375732
I absolutely loved the Christmas story from this perspective  I learned so much. It's a must read during Advent as we await His Coming!