{"title":"Advent\/Christmas","description":"\u003cp\u003eExplore our Advent and Christmas collection — a curated selection of dramas, worship resources, and congregational programs to help your church celebrate the season of Advent and the birth of Christ.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"whats-the-matter-with-christmas","title":"What's the Matter With Christmas?","description":"\u003cp\u003eFour youth, rehearsing a church Christmas play, are perplexed about why everyone appears so busy at Christmas. Through a series of events, the youth learn, to their surprise, that the real meaning of Christmas is God's gift of Jesus.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHighlights of this drama:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEasy-to-rehearse\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSimple, yet powerful message\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eParts for four youths, up to ten young children and two adults\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFive original songs for young singers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComplete order of worship provided\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePerformance time from 35 to 45 minutes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003ePhyllis Futer is a free-lance writer and member of the Leola United Methodist Church, Leola, Pennsylvania. Her special interest is youth and children's ministry. With the assistance of church musician, Lorraine Gernert, she worked with a children's choir in creating this resource.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eItem Number:\u003c\/strong\u003e 155673459X\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"CSS Publishing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48499120013530,"sku":"155673459X","price":8.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0800\/5540\/2714\/files\/What_stheMatterWithChristmascover_55f5c7c0-9829-445a-b9bc-a39e14ee22c8.png?v=1787689363"},{"product_id":"the-word-became-flesh","title":"The Word Became Flesh","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis 25-minute Christmas Nativity pageant tells the story of Jesus Christ from creation to present day. The birth of Christ is seen as an event with a much wider scope than an incident that occurred long ago in Bethlehem. This drama is unique in highlighting Jesus' birth as part of the greater picture of God's activity throughout history: in creation, in the words of the prophets, in the cross, in the resurrection, and in our world today.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Word Became Flesh\u003c\/em\u003e provides drama that is biblically sound, educational, and thought-provoking.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eShirley M. Wickland is an instructor in computer-aided design and materials science for the Trade and Technical Department of Moraine Park Technical College, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. She is an honors graduate from Milwaukee School of Engineering with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eItem number:\u003c\/strong\u003e 078801286X\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"CSS Publishing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48499120537818,"sku":"078801286X","price":8.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0800\/5540\/2714\/files\/TheWordBecameFlesh.png?v=1787689206"},{"product_id":"the-christmas-stranger-a-one-act-christmas-play","title":"The Christmas Stranger: A One-Act Christmas Play","description":"\u003cp\u003eA Christmas play with a surprise ending!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe church youth group and adult leaders prepare to practice for a Christmas program. They anticipate a visit by the church's new custodian, who will clean and lock up the building. A visitor arrives, who all believe to be the custodian. The visitor begins to help with the rehearsal. With his help, the real meaning of Christmas is clearly revealed to all.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe stranger leaves. To the surprise of the cast (but not the audience) the \"real\" custodian finally arrives. The cast ponders: \"Who was that visitor?\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis simple play is easily adaptable for any size group. No special props are required other than a lectern and a Bible.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCharles Byrd, from Hershey, Pennsylvania, is a United Methodist minister who has served as pastor, teacher, counselor, and staff member of The United Methodist Publishing House. He is a graduate of Wake Forest University and Duke Divinity School.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eItem number:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1556734530\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"CSS Publishing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48499120603354,"sku":"1556734530","price":8.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0800\/5540\/2714\/files\/TheChstimasStrangercover.png?v=1787688972"},{"product_id":"these-are-the-candles","title":"These Are the Candles","description":"\u003cp\u003eA worship resource for the Advent and Christmas season.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"CSS Publishing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48499121619162,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}]},{"product_id":"its-so-christmas-see","title":"It's So Christmas-see!","description":"\u003cp\u003eA congregational programming resource for the Advent and Christmas season.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"CSS Publishing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48499122143450,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0800\/5540\/2714\/files\/It_sSoChristmas-seecover.png?v=1787689069"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0800\/5540\/2714\/collections\/TheWordBecameFlesh.png?v=1787690638","url":"https:\/\/csspublishingcoinc.com\/collections\/advent-christmas.oembed","provider":"CSS Publishing Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}