In the latest addition to Liguori's popular series of seasonal meditation books provides not only Scripture readings for the seasons of Advent and Christmas, but pairs them with a daily selection from the cherished writings of Saint Alphonsus Liguori.

This book encourages the reader to set aside time each day to reflect upon a specific Scripture passage while providing a suggested activity for Christian living during the Christmas season.

In the season when we focus on Christ's birth, let us follow the example of St. Alphonsus and his unwavering love of Jesus Christ.

This book is the product of a relatively long history of pilgrimage research in a Dutch theological setting. It is intended as a report for an international audience on this long-running programme. Two lines are followed in the book. The first is the track of liturgical studies, in which an historical, European ethnological and anthropological approach has predominated. The second is a social science track, with specific content coming from psychology of religion. The combination of these two lines has been extremely fruitful. In addition to results of various surveys of contemporary pilgrimage practice and the expansion of research into ritual and cultural context in which modern pilgrims find themselves, special attention is also bestowed on historiographic issues involved in orienting pilgrimage research, and its theoretical and methodological aspects. The places of pilgrimage examined here are Wittem, Dokkum and Amsterdam in The Netherlands, Banneux in Belgium, Lourdes and La Salette in France, and Santiago de Compostela in Spain. The central question which informs the whole study is to what extent one can perhaps speak of a new type of pilgrim today, the "modern pilgrim".

In this collection of original art and reflections, the Carmelites of Indianapolis share some of the insight and wisdom they have gleaned fro years of praying with the many 'hidden friends' of their tradition. Well-known saints such as Therese of Lisieus, Teresa of Avila, and John of the Cross, as well as some lesser-known holy people, such as Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, Nicholas the Frenchman, and Teresa of Jesus of the Andes, come alive in these pages to enrich and inspired your own life of prayer and spirituality.

Used successfully in Episcopal dioceses and congregations, Total Ministry describes a new way for local congregations (especially small ones) and judicatories to organize their response to God's call and to provide resources, support, and encouragement for ministry-a way that is not dependent only on full-time, seminary-trained, ordained leaders.

Why did Jesus prevent Mary Magdalene from touching Him when He met her after His resurrection? When did Satan fall from Heaven? Were the rituals and sacrifices prophecies of the crucifixion of the Lord? Do the stories in the Bible convey deeper messages than what we normally understand about them? These are some of the questions that many Christians, from times past and even today, have asked themselves. And to a great number, these have remained riddles, if not mysteries. Is there a way to clearly answer what multitudes of believers have asked for countless generations? Is the Holy Bible up to the task of explaining the conundrums that have teased the minds of many? This book is a study about the rituals and sacrifices of the Jews; and it showed that the rites of the ancient Hebrews were actually prophecies of the Lord's sacrifice. But even as the sacrifices were explained, the crucifixion provided insights in deeply comprehending the rituals. The sacrifices, when viewed from the hill of Calvary, have also answered what many of us have asked. But more than these, this book explained the many things that were accomplished when the Son of Man was hung on a tree.

Young children and their parents will delight in this colorful, lovingly illustrated, and simple rendition of the traditional Christmas story. This lift-the-flap book brings the well-known characters of Christmas--angels, shepherds, wise men, Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus--to life for little ones. Sturdily constructed to last for years, this book invites children to take an active role in discovering the mysteries of Our Lord's birth.

Someone's hiding behind the door.
Who it is we can't be sure.
Open the doors and you'll find out.
What Christmas-time is all about
The answer lies on a bed of hay.
An angel will help you on your way

This book makes an excellent gift or family keepsake.

"board book"

This scarce antiquarian book is included in our special Legacy Reprint Series. In the interest of creating a more extensive selection of rare historical book reprints, we have chosen to reproduce this title even though it may possibly have occasional imperfections such as missing and blurred pages, missing text, poor pictures, markings, dark backgrounds and other reproduction issues beyond our control. Because this work is culturally important, we have made it available as a part of our commitment to protecting, preserving and promoting the world's literature.

Time apart to listen to God is an essential component of the Christian life. This wide ranging practical resource offers complete programme ideas - from short spiritual breaks for those who can only manage a couple of hours from their work or family responsibilities, to a range of ideas for whole day and full weekend retreats.
Experienced retreat conductor Sue Pickering explores the elements that are commonly used in retreats: silence, journalling, using craft materials, reflection, lectio divina, imaginative prayer, music and movement, and more.
Out of these building blocks, unlimited retreat programmes can be created. Part two offers themed retreat programme outlines complete with handouts which are downloadable from the accompanying CD Rom. These include Quiet Breakfasts, A Prayer Walk, A Garden Retreat and much more.

A collection of over forty new hymns and songs by Rusty Edwards, author of We all are one in mission. The publication also includes detailed topical/thematic, scriptural and metrical indexes.

This illustrated workbook arises out of many years of leading retreats, study and quiet days on the theme of the cross in many contexts from an English Cathedral city to a South African township. The symbol of suffering and sacrifice, the cross also stands for the triumph of love over hate, life over death, hope over despair.
This includes complete outlines with prayers, readings, guided meditations and instructions for making crosses on the following themes: Crosses from around the world, Holy People, Holy Places & Crosses: Bridget, Francis, Andrew and others, Good Friday Pilgrims: living the cross, Making Crosses: yours and mine, Meditating with Crosses, and Following The Way of the Cross.

Rudolf Steiner, the often undervalued, multifaceted genius of modern times, contributed much to the regeneration of culture. In addition to his philosophical teachings, he provided ideas for the development of many practical activities, including education - both general and special - agriculture, medicine, economics, architecture, science, religion and the arts. Steiner's original contribution to human knowledge was based on his ability to conduct 'spiritual research', the investigation of metaphysical dimensions of existence. With his scientific and philosophical training, he brought a new systematic discipline to the field, allowing for conscious methods and comprehensive results. A natural seer from childhood, he cultivated his spiritual vision to a high degree, enabling him to speak with authority on previously veiled mysteries of life. Samples of Steiner's work are to be found in this introductory reader in which Matthew Barton brings together excerpts from Steiner's many talks and writings on Easter. The volume also features an editorial introduction, afterword, commentary and notes.

This is a book about making musical choices. But not just any choices. This is a book about making musical choices that are deliberately informed by the Word of God. It is about making choices that are discerning, wise, beneficial, and edifying. This book is about making musical choices that will bring glory to God. Six brief, engaging chapters will help you answer the most significant questions influencing our musical choices today.

We are apt to forget how much people traveled in the Middle Ages. Not only merchants, friars, soldiers and official messengers, but crowds of pilgrims were a familiar sight on the roads of Western Europe. In this engaging work of history, Jonathan Sumption brings alive the traditions of pilgrimage prevalent in Europe from the beginning of Christianity to the end of the fifteenth century. Vividly describing such major destinations as Jerusalem, Rome, Santiago de Compostela and Canterbury, he examines both major figures -- popes, kings, queens, scholars, villains -- and the common people of their day.

A fascinating entertaining read, this book:

-- addresses what motivated such extraordinary quests.

-- offers a snapshot of those worldly pilgrims, who were among the first "package tour" travelers.

-- brings alive the traditions of pilgrimage prevalent in Europe from the beginning of Christianity to the end of the fifteenth century.

In this engaging and lively little book, Apollo Starmule explores the relationship of human consciousness to Santa Claus and the world inhabited by this legendary being. Many parents will probably want to share this book with their children for, as Starmule explains, "I told myself when I began this document that I was going to try not to cuss, and was going to try to keep my material at a level that could be enjoyed by a general audience, for I realized that some parents would want to share this document with their kids. If you are familiar with some of my other books, you may realize what an unusual approach this is for me." Before you tell your kids the "truth" about Santa Claus, we suggest you find out exactly what that truth is and why it is true. This book gives you a stable platform on which to stand as you address matters of supreme importance to the soul of a child . . . and to your own soul.

The process of living is a journey, and this book is a vehicle that evokes the inner life. Boldly step into the life of the Spirit through this journal workbook.

Of the many works he wrote during 1848, his "richest and most fruitful year," Kierkegaard specified "Practice in Christianity" as "the most perfect and truest thing." In his reflections on such topics as Christ's invitation to the burdened, the imitatio Christi, the possibility of offense, and the exalted Christ, he takes as his theme the requirement of Christian ideality in the context of divine grace. Addressing clergy and laity alike, Kierkegaard asserts the need for institutional and personal admission of the accommodation of Christianity to the culture and to the individual misuse of grace. As a corrective defense, the book is an attempt to find, ideally, a basis for the established order, which would involve the order's ability to acknowledge the Christian requirement, confess its own distance from it, and resort to grace for support in its continued existence. At the same time the book can be read as the beginning of Kierkegaard's attack on Christendom. Because of the high ideality of the contents and in order to prevent the misunderstanding that he himself represented that ideality, Kierkegaard writes under a new pseudonym, Anti-Climacus.

A Pilgrim's Jounral is a spiritual travelogue in which the author tells us much about the union between Christian faith and living in the word, the union between grace and nature. This book helps us to understand that the story of each of us is a journey in faith.

Is there one correct way for the people of God to worship him? It turns out that Scripture offers many models and forms for worship, all of which are acceptable but not necessarily appropriate or functional in a particular setting. Barry Liesch, a professor of music at Biola University, helps his readers to grasp that fact and it's implications for worship in the church today. This is a one-of-a-kind book for many kinds of readers in all kinds of churches. It offers biblical perspective, historical awareness, musical and artistic sensitivity, authentic reverence, and creative stimulation for worship leaders, church musicians, study groups, pastors, worship committees, and a host of others who are interested in appreciating and renewing worship according to biblical models. Within each of the twenty chapters the author shares many suggestions for enhancing and transforming worship in the church today. Not only does he present the various biblical models and offer a wealth of suggestions, he takes up some of the major concerns of worship leaders, planners, and participants -- concerns such as the role of music, uses of symbolism, the appropriateness of dance, modes of celebration, expressions of reverence, and many others.

In an age when religious radicalism was regarded as socially subversive, Bunyan's Grace Abounding describes the spiritual regeneration of one who came from 'that rank that is meanest and most despised'. God and Satan are the chief protagonists in Bunyan's drama: they exist not as theological concepts but as terrifyingly immediate adversaries in the competition for Bunyan's soul. 'What care I,' says Satan to Bunyan, 'though I be seven years in chilling your heart, if I can do it at last?' Bunyan finds his spiritual defences not so much in God as in the Bible, and Grace Abounding charts his passionate and imaginative involvement with this ultimate source of spiritual wisdom.

This scarce antiquarian book is included in our special Legacy Reprint Series. In the interest of creating a more extensive selection of rare historical book reprints, we have chosen to reproduce this title even though it may possibly have occasional imperfections such as missing and blurred pages, missing text, poor pictures, markings, dark backgrounds and other reproduction issues beyond our control. Because this work is culturally important, we have made it available as a part of our commitment to protecting, preserving and promoting the world's literature.

The word liturgy is packed with power. For some, it evokes the grandeur and mystery of the church's rich tradition. For others it evokes a rigid and confusing form of obsolete practice. Dan Benedict provides us with a deeper and more satisfying way to understand liturgy and to discuss issues related to worship. In his understanding, readers come to see liturgy as God's means of uniting with the heart, mind, and work of Christ. Liturgy, Benedict says, carries us into the presence of the holy in the same way that those friends in the Gospel story carried their paralyzed friend into the presence of Christ. When our spiritual life is dry and we have difficulty experiencing that presence, liturgy holds that meaning for us until we are ready to return. Liturgy connects us with the communion of the saints and allows us to worship with other believers across time and place. Over time, given faithful participation, the liturgy works to shape our perceptions and create more space for God's grace to find expression. This volume, with original prayers and reflection questions, is an excellent text for a new members' studying worship, or for a congregation's worship committee to read as a preparation for its work. Topics include corporate liturgical practices like Baptism, Communion, and the Christian year, as well as personal practices of daily prayer and scriptural reading.