Jesus is the Gift: The Spirituality of Advent and Christmas explores the biblical characters that the Church presents in these liturgical seasons of grace. Author Regis Flaherty helps the reader to walk in their footsteps—to understand the themes of Advent and Christmas, to prepare for the coming of our Lord, and to embrace His plan for our lives. You’ll find inspiration, opportunity, and impetus to prayer and conversion. This is a great book to help you prepare for and enter into Advent.

Advent Devotions is for everyone who desires to keep Christ in the center of their Christmas. The method is simple, yet rich. Inspire your Christmas traditions with Advent Devotions.

"In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed" (Mark 1:35). Jesus taught by his words and actions. He went by himself to pray when he was tired, when faced with upcoming trying events, or when he just wanted to be alone in the presence of his Lord. He gave us guidance about what to pray, how to pray, and why to pray, and was very familiar with the Hebrew Scriptures. Thus, if we want to become Jesus' disciple we should follow his model and invest time and emotional energy into prayer, Bible study, and reflection. <>Nourishment For The Spiritual Pilgrimage provides an aid for those who want to participate in the spiritual pilgrimage of becoming a lifelong disciple of Jesus Christ. It offers insight and support for those who daily want to turn their hearts, souls, and minds to God's will in their lives, as they strive to help in bringing about God's kingdom in this present time. There are countless other devotionals, but hopefully this can offer something that many of the others may not, a specific focus on the concept of discipleship.

Confidently deliver Religion, Values and Ethics and encourage students to understand and appreciate diverse worldviews, both in Wales and the wider world. This book supports the new Curriculum for Wales for 11-14 years, helping students to continually develop their knowledge and skills as they become informed, self-aware and responsible citizens. - Easily design your own curriculum: pick-and-choose from topics that cover the major world faiths and non-religious belief groups, as well as the values and ethical content outlined in the Humanities AoLE - Understand religious and non-religious worldviews and their historical impact: examine the influence of institutional and personal religious and non-religious worldviews on Wales and the wider world throughout history - Bring the content to life in your classroom: explore the beliefs and practices of people living today in Wales and the wider world through real-life accounts and case studies - Encourage critical thinking: each lesson tackles a 'big question' for students to consider, as well as activities designed to allow them to formulate and express their own perspectives and a range of sources to engage them with ethical and moral issues - Develop students' sense of self and their understanding of societal challenges: explore key concepts in the context of different religious and ethical worldviews, including cynefin, identity, relationships, community, equality, sustainability, freedom, good and evil, and more

Quiet your heart and listen for the loving whispers of God during the Advent season. "The weeks leading up to Christmas are often hectic times preparing for the holy celebration of Jesus' birth. This book provides an opportunity for you to pause, take a refreshing breath of the Holy Spirit, and look beyond the surface of the lights and glitter to notice the inward shaping of Jesus' virtues of hope, love, joy and peace for faithful living. It sets a course for daily retreat and devotional living into the new era for hope and unity in the heart of Christ." ―from the Introduction Are you missing out on the true meaning and mystery of Advent amid the hustle and bustle of the holiday season? Rev. Dr. Brenda K. Buckwell, Obl. OSB, invites you into a daily retreat experience, offering inspiring reflections, fresh perspectives on the season’s traditional scripture readings, and creative ways to let God’s word sink deep into your heart and soul. With prayer practices that engage the senses and guidance in creating a visual reflection in response to each day’s reading, she helps you move beyond articulation of what you know of God to discover the possibilities awaiting you.

Annotation If religion is not about God, then what on earth is it about? Loyal Rue contends that religion is a series of strategies that aims to influence human nature so that we might think, feel, and act in ways that are good for us, both individually and collectively.

"St. Andrew Christmas Novena: Prayers, Scriptures & Celebration of the Birth of Jesus Christ." Is a profound spiritual journey with This guide seamlessly weaves together the timeless tradition of the St. Andrew Christmas Novena with daily reflections from sacred scriptures, creating a transformative experience that leads you through Advent into the joyous celebration of Jesus' birth. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the St. Andrew Christmas Novena, a revered devotional practice spanning nine days. With each day echoing the nine months of Mary's pregnancy, this guide invites you to draw closer to the heart of the Christmas story. Key features: Prayers and Scriptures for Spiritual Depth: Engage in powerful prayers crafted to deepen your connection with the divine. Complemented by daily scriptures, each prayer becomes a profound reflection, inviting you to meditate on the sacred verses that illuminate the path through Advent to the miraculous birth of Jesus. Celebrating the Birth of Jesus: Journey through the poignant narrative of Jesus' birth, from the humble manger to the guiding star. Explore the timeless story that shapes the essence of this sacred season, infusing your celebration with profound spiritual meaning. Journaling Space for Personal Reflection: Enhance your spiritual journey with dedicated journaling space after each chapter. Reflect on prayers, delve into scripture-inspired thoughts, and document the whispers of inspiration that arise from this transformative experience. Cultural Insights and Traditions: Delve into the global tapestry of Christmas traditions influenced by St. Andrew. From Scotland to Russia, explore how diverse cultures celebrate the birth of Christ, enriching your own festive observance with cultural context. Acts of Kindness and Charity: Embrace the true spirit of Christmas by engaging in acts of kindness and charity. This guide encourages you to extend love and generosity to others, mirroring the divine gift of Jesus to humanity. Daily Scriptures for Reflection: Enrich your daily reflections with carefully selected scriptures, providing profound insights and inspiration. Each scripture complements the theme of the day, guiding your meditation and fostering a deeper connection with the divine. This St. Andrew Christmas Novena is an invitation to a transformative and scripturally rooted experience. As you traverse the prayers, scriptures, and reflections, may this book kindle a profound connection with the sacred essence of Christmas. Embrace the joy, hope, and love radiating from the manger, and let your journal bear witness to the spiritual richness of this extraordinary season. Invest in your spirituality today and order your copy of this excellent resource. With its straightforward and expert guidance, this book is sure to be a valuable addition to your library. The ideal pricing makes it a great deal. Click on the "Buy Now" button to make this book yours. You will be grateful that you did! Wishing you a most fulfilling and rewarding spiritual adventure.

Spirituality, Celebration, and Catechesis for Sundays and Solemnities Year B (2015)

‘On this Day’ is a prayerful and meditative work, consisting of daily reflections and prayers on Scriptural passages used in seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter. Its content, as spiritual food, comes out of the enlightening Scriptural words, proclaimed by the Church during everyday Masses. We are pilgrims in this world walking, marching, jogging, or running to reach our ultimate life’s destiny for which God has designed and created us. Every day is so important because, as the Bible points out, today is the only Day God has entrusted to us to prepare for our meeting Him. It is the only Day every human has in hand to please God. It is the only Day every God’s child is given to reciprocate to his Father’s Covenantal Love. It is the author’s earnest desire that ‘On this Day’ may assist his readers in their spiritual and religious exercises through which they gain sufficient heavenly energy to make each day pleasing to the Lord and to magnify His Glory.

Prayer, the raising of the heart to God, is the heart of the Christian life. For the author of Luke's Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles, prayer is the habit of being in the presence of God. One of the primary ways Jesus is characterized in Luke's Gospel is that of a pray-er. Likewise in the Acts of the Apostles, the apostles are portrayed being in God's presence. Prayer is the topic of this book; it highlights the passages where Jesus is found praying in the Gospel and where the apostles are found praying in the Acts. From the example Jesus gives in Luke's Gospel, and from the example the apostles give in the Acts of the Apostles, the reader concludes that prayer should be a part of the life of any Christian. If Jesus himself prayed--spoke and listened to God--then how can his followers do any less? This book can be used during the Advent-Christmas Season, the Lenten Season, the Easter Season, and at any time one wants to hone his or her praying skills. This book is especially useful during the period of post-baptismal catechesis for those in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults with its focus on spiritual growth through prayer.