Handel's Messiah Family Advent Reader [Hardcover]

Frances Lenzo (Author), Donna Payne (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 11, 1999

For families who yearn for Christmas to be a true celebration of Christ's birth on earth, the Handel's Messiah Family Advent Reader provides daily readings that are biblically-based and culturally rich. With intriguing stories explaining well-known Christmas customs, each reading features a different portion of the libretto from Handel's Messiah and offers a spiritual insight that links the story to an important principle. The book also includes a CD with portions of Handel's Messiah to enhance the experience.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

To our readers and potential readers: We are the authors of "The Handel's Messiah Family Advent Reader" and hope that you enjoy our book as much as we enjoyed writing it. We were thinking of and inspired by our own families in writing these 28 unusual stories. Our purpose in writing was to help our readers prepare for Christmas in an entertaining yet meaningful way. The stories give the scoop behind many of the customs of Christmas (What is frankincense? Who were the magi? What was the Christmas star?) These are stories about a strange Christmas truce, about Charles Dickens, an unusual Christmas tree, and many other items you may never have heard about. Each story begins with a portion of the words from Handel's "Messiah" and is linked to the music which is included on the free CD included with the book. Each story is illustrated by a beautiful full-color drawing from classic works of art, and there is an end-section that is chock full of fascinating facts, trivia, and activities.

We would love to hear your questions or comments. You can reach us by email at [e-mail]

By the way, this is our first book. The "other books by Donna Payne and Fran Lenzo" that are listed on the amazon web page, are by different authors.

Thanks for your interest,

Donna and Fran

From the Inside Flap

A mother is holding her baby. She feeds it, cuddles it, and rocks it. She watches and wonders and tries to imagine what will happen to her darling child as it grows up. What could be more ordinary than that?

Mother Mary and baby Jesus. So common. So ordinary. She feeds and cuddles and rocks Him. But when she wonders about her darling child, she remembers what angels, shepherds, and kings have said about Him.

What did she think about, she who was the first to ponder the puzzle of all puzzles? What was going through her mind as she held God in her arms?

This holiday season, take an extraordinary opportunity to imagine holding God in your arms.

Spend moments each day of Advent meditating on the rich, lavish devotions found in these pages. You and every member of your family will celebrate together as you appreciate the great texts and unparalleled orchestrations of Handel's Messiah. And you'll all wonder anew at that puzzle of all puzzles: WHY WOULD GOD BECOME ONE FOR US?

Catch a fresh glimpse of the wondrous love God displayed two millennia ago, in a hay-filled stable -- in the shadow of a rugged cross.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Moody Publishers (October 11, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802455743
• ISBN-13: 978-0802455741
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #835,034 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Christmas Devotions your whole family will love, October 11, 2000

By 

Sharon Reid (Baltimore, Maryland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Handel's Messiah Family Advent Reader (Hardcover)

If you have never bought a family devotional before, thinking your family would never sit still for it, you're in for a real surprise! This is one thing you will want to add to your family's list of "to do's" over this Christmas season. I have never read a devotional quite like this one. Based on the great Handel's Messiah, this beautiful book is full of stories you most likely will never find anywhere else. Chock full of surprising and very interesting but little known facts. For instance, why do people all stand up when the "haleluia chorus" is played? How about this story intitled "Daughter of Her Son". This is a beautifully written piece about Mary and her relationship with her Savior/Son. Children will love the stories entitled "The Flying Snakes", "The Reindeer People" and "No Christmas allowed". Each story has been carefully researched and well written with beautiful color artwork. There is a story for each day of advent. I guarantee your family will be eager to sit down each evening to hear what story will be read that evening. If you have never had family devotions before, this is a great way to introduce your family to a time of learning, reflection, and what Christmas is truly all about. This is the best book of the Christmas Season. I can't wait to go through it again this year with my loved ones.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful stories of faith for Advent, November 21, 2005

By 

JodyC (Montana) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Handel's Messiah Family Advent Reader (Hardcover)

We have used "Handel's Family Advent Reader" for a couple years in a row and it is just as wonderful every time we read (and listen to) it. Who can resist the music of Handel's Messiah? Even if my sons pretend they're singing in the opera (lip synching) as they listen to the selections, I know they are still enjoying it and appreciating it. The stories are all very unique and each has a special "Christmas gift" to give the reader. If you enjoy Advent devotions, you'll love this one! It's my favorite Advent devotion so far!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for Sunday School as well as for family!, December 6, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Handel's Messiah Family Advent Reader (Hardcover)

I bought two books, one for my mother as an early Christmas gift and the other to use as a Sunday School lesson helper. Many in my adult class are in the church choir and not only appreciate great music, but need to leave sessions early, or arrive late because of their choir commitment. The various stories, references to current living circumstances and history are great tools for keeping interest high within the class setting and throughout the Advent Season. I get the best of both worlds- the opportunity to read it over and over as I prepare lessons and the CD to listen to those wonderful tunes from the Messiah.