2015 ISSUE 4 | GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY | RECOMMENDED CHRISTIAN RESOURCES
A Very Different Christmas Rico Tice & Nate Morgan Locke RRP: £2.99 / 9781784980146 If you spent Christmas at God’s house, what presents would you find under the tree? Rico and Nate introduce a generous God and an extraordinary gift beyond our wildest dreams. This short, witty book is perfect for giving away to friends, family and carol service visitors to share the glorious news of Christmas.
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Children’s Christmas books
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Christmas gift ideas
Christmas Gifts for children aged 4–11 Topz Activity Bible by Alexa Tewkesbury
Together with the Topz Gang, discover 27 key Bible stories. Explore your favourite stories and discover some lesserknown ones. All stories include two Topz activities. ISBN: 978-1-78259-419-2
RRP: £8.99
Ideal for ages 7–11
50 Christmasiest Bible Stories by Andy Robb
Brand new in the bestselling and award-winning 50s series! Using colourful cartoons and his own fun style of storytelling, Andy Robb brings fifty more Bible stories to life – and it’s all about Christmas! ISBN: 978-1-78259-418-5
RRP: £5.99
The Very First Christmas Day Mini Book by Jan Godfrey and Andrew Everitt-Stewart Ideal for ages 3–6 With rich, colourful illustrations and lyrical storytelling, this children’s retelling of the nativity brings the 2,000-yearold story to new life on the page. ISBN: 978-1-78259-305-8
RRP: £1.99
It’s a Boy! (Book)
by Alexa Tewkesbury and Steve Legg A wonderfully illustrated story introducing children to the true meaning of Christmas and who Jesus really is. Travel with three quails as they embark on a daring mission and meet Mary and baby Jesus. ISBN: 978-1-78259-454-3
RRP: £4.99
It’s a Boy! (DVD)
by Alexa Tewkesbury and Steve Legg The DVD version of the It’s a Boy! book took three years to complete. The film was distributed free to 26,000 primary schools in the UK in 2005. 10 years on, a special 10th Anniversary edition has been created to tell the story to a new generation of children. EAN: 5027957-001619
RRP: £9.99
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Welcome to the Christmas edition of Take Note! Supporting local Christian bookshops in the UK. Take Note is available at all participating UK Christian bookshops. Find your nearest bookshop:
I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2: 10-11 We’re bursting with excitement to celebrate Christmas this year. In fact, the arrival of Jesus is such good news we can’t keep it quiet. We want to share the joy of the Saviour’s birth with the whole world. That’s why we’ve packed this magazine full of resources to help you share the message of King Jesus with friends this Christmas. Try A Very Different Christmas on our front cover or take a look at page six for tracts designed especially for giving away to friends at Christmas.
Take Note is produced by CLC Wholesale, Unit 5, Glendale Avenue, Sandycroft, Deeside, CH5 2QP. Prices correct at time of going to print. Promotional prices valid only while stocks last. Offers valid until 31/12/15.
Also inside, you’ll find a handy gift guide on pages eight and nine with present ideas for all your friends. The whole family can get ready for Christmas together with our festive selection on page four. A new year is a great time for a fresh start. Why not make reading God’s Word every day your New Year’s Resolution? On page ten we’ve picked the best resources to help you read the Bible regularly in 2016. Just imagine how God could grow us as we spend time learning from Him next year! Wishing you a joyful Christmas,
Experience the wonder of Christmas
Christmas Gift Guide
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s liamTake Note Editor
Sarah Wil Read the Bible in 2016
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We believe the Bible changes lives, and we love nothing better than seeing more people opening it up and meeting God for themselves. That’s why we’ve come together with Tyndale House Publishers to bring you this exciting outreach giveaway. With every book you buy from this edition of Take Note, you’ll get a free NLT Outreach Bible. You could read it yourself or give it away to a friend, colleague or neighbour. We can’t wait for these Bibles to get out to as many people as possible! Who could you give yours to?
NLT Outreach Bible RRP: £1.99 / 9781496411617
ONLY £1.99 or FREE with any Take Note purchase
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Bring the Christmas story alive! MEET THE WRITER: SUSIE BENTLEY-TAYLOR: We’re very excited that Bake through the Bible is back for Christmas. What can we look forward to in the new book? Thanks! It’s a book designed to bring the Christmas story alive for young children through Christmas-focussed cooking. There are twelve different cooking activities, each one linked to a part of the Christmas story (including some of the less well-known bits!). They include some yummy Christmas treats but also plenty of opportunities to make the most of more everyday cooking as a chance to talk with children about why Christmas really is worth getting excited about. What’s your favourite thing about Christmas time? Christmas is such a wonderful time because, as Christians, we really do have something to celebrate! And that makes all the things that make Christmas special worthwhile. Perhaps predictably, food is a highlight for me. How do you see Bake through the Bible at Christmas being used? By parents, or by anyone else who wants to help young children to get excited about Jesus at Christmas. We hope that it will give people easy and fresh ideas for doing this, and also that it might inspire people to think about ways that their own Christmas cooking traditions could be used or adapted to this end. Some of us might not be very confident about teaching the Bible or about baking. Is it necessary to have the combined skills of Billy Graham and Mary Berry to use this book? Ha! Thankfully not, or I for one wouldn’t go near it! The great thing about this book is that everything needed is in there. For each section, there’s the Bible story, written in a simple and engaging way, a short prayer, some simple questions to prompt conversation and an easyto-follow recipe. You don’t have to be a good cook, just ready to have some fun as you bake through the Christmas story.
Bake through the Bible at Christmas Susie Bentley-Taylor & Bekah Moore RRP: £6.99 / 9781910307984
Can you give us any top tips for teaching the Bible through every day activities? Spending a few minutes each day reading the Bible and praying with your child is a wonderful place to start. Having said that, I think that the challenge for us all is to have a mindset which seeks to point ourselves – and then anyone else – to the goodness of God in the tiniest details of life. What has God taught you as you’ve been working on the Bake through the Bible series? How wonderful He is! How mind-blowing it is to think that God came to earth as a tiny baby. And that passing on truth about God to little ones is both a massive privilege and a responsibility that we – that is, particularly parents – need to take seriously. Have there been any baking mishaps along the way? Maybe one or two, or more…! The hardest one to get right was the gingerbread stable. Let’s just say that there were many trial runs that were architecturally unsound! But we got there in the end.
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Christmas gifts to treasure
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The wonder of Christmas Mark Greene‘s poems through Advent encourage us to meditate on the wonders of the Christmas story. In this poem for December 5th, we meet John the Baptist... First John John was the first to know, Tucked up in the womb, No bigger than an avocado, When Mary entered the room.
Adventure Mark Greene and David McNeill RRP: £8.50 / 9781910012185
He, having no breath to call ‘Attention’, To the High King of all creation, Small as a mustard seed in the virgin’s belly, Leapt like a gazelle against the soft insides, A wordless halleluiah of delighted surprise. And heard his mother’s booming reply, And Mary’s words soaring like starlings to the sky. That was where he learned That the darkness Cannot keep out the light; That faith comes by spirit And not by sight; That a son can be ahead Of his mother; That one testimony Can lead to another. Later people would ask him when it began. The truth is: he was always Jesus’ man.
On That Christmas Night Lois Rock RRP: £9.99 / 9780745965888 Alison Jay reimagines the Nativity as a European folktale in her oil-painted illustrations for On That Christmas Night. Meet Mary, the ordinary village girl who discovers she will be the mother of God’s Son. The simplicity and wonder of the true Christmas story is beautifully captured in this newly released book for young children. 6
Merry Larry and the True Meaning of Christmas DVD VeggieTales RRP: £9.99 / 5060256821090 Larry the Cucumber is on a mission to spread some Christmas joy at the Spring Valley Mall… Keep small children entertained with this story of vegetable escapades, silly songs and a gentle Christmas message of ‘giving the love God gave to you’. (Approx. 47min)
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Good news to share ‘I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people’ Luke 2.10 Everyone needs to hear the good news of Jesus, and Christmas offers us great opportunities to reach out with His message. Giving away a gospel tract can be a great way to start. Give one to each guest at your church’s carols service. Tuck one inside every Christmas card you send. Keep a few in your pocket to share with those you meet. However you use them, we pray God will use these tracts to speak to many people this Christmas.
Christmas Presence Tim Thornborough
Why Christmas? Nick Gumbel RRP: 50p / 9781898838463
RRP: £2.99 9781910307861 Pack of 25 This simple tract clearly explains the wonderful news that God came to earth to rescue us. With beautiful illustrations and a warm, friendly tone, this tract is suitable for all your Christmas guests. This tract is sold in packs of 25, so you’ll be well-equipped for Christmas events.
This fantastic little booklet is easy to read, with great illustrations. It’s not overloaded with information but has the full message and meaning of Christmas within. Why Christmas? is great to give away at Christmas carol services when you have visitors at church who wouldn’t usually come. I highly recommend this title! Luke Potgieter, CLC Welling
Engaging with Muslims John Klaassen
My Journey So Far Andrew White
RRP: £6.99 / 9781909919112
RRP: £14.99 / 9780745970226
Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the UK, so it’s more important than ever that we know how to reach out with love and compassion to our Muslim friends. John Klaassen encourages readers to gain a clear understanding of Islamic beliefs and to approach discussions of faith with deep respect. For ordinary Christians seeking to share their lives, and ultimately the gospel, with Muslims around them, this simple book offers biblical wisdom and practical guidance.
At Christmas, we celebrate the Saviour who brought us peace with God. In the UK, we often take earthly peace for granted, but for many it must seem a distant hope. In this autobiography, Andrew White reflects on his role as the ‘vicar of Baghdad’, offering practical love and diplomatic mediation in the midst of violent conflict.
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Gift guide Struggling with your Christmas shopping? Here’s our handy gift guide, with present ideas for all your family and friends... King’s Cross Timothy Keller RRP: £9.99 9781444702149
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Don’t leave Jesus in the manger this Christmas. Follow the life story of the King of Kings and find out how His death at the cross changed the world forever. Warm and thoughtful as ever, Timothy Keller introduces the captivating person of Jesus and encourages seekers and believers alike to dwell on His eternal significance. This modern classic from worldrenown Bible teacher Keller would make an excellent gift for any deep-thinker.
£11.99 Unlocking the Bible David Pawson RRP: £12.99 / 9780007166664 As you sit and read your Bible, do you find yourself scratching your head? If you do, you join me and many others! This book written by David Pawson helps explain the Bible, book by book. As the title suggests, Pawson unlocks the Bible, helping you dig deeper and expand your understanding of the Biblical texts. Luke Potgieter, CLC Welling
A PERFECT MATCH Redeeming Love Francine Rivers
Hosea: His Redeeming Love Undated Bible Readings David Gibb
RRP: £8.99 9781782640318 For fans of romantic historical fiction, Redeeming Love is a must-read. Best-selling author Francine Rivers weaves themes of the book of Hosea into this dramatic tale of infidelity and redemption, set in California’s gold country in 1850.
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RRP: £3.99 / 9781910587164
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Take the truths of Hosea to heart! This Bible study guide would make a perfect companion to Redeeming Love. In 31 undated readings, David Gibb takes us through the book of Hosea and explores the incredible redeeming love of God for us.
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING YOUR LOCAL CHRISTIAN BOOKSHOP YOU’RE ENABLING US TO SUPPORT LITERATURE MINISTRIES AROUND THE WORLD
Gift guide David Suchet explains why he recorded the NIV Audio Bible: I suppose the best way for me to start is like the Bible starts: at the beginning. I had a conversion experience that began in 1986. When I was converted I was an actor and I thought, ’Well, one thing I can do (or I think I can do) is read.’ For many, many years I wanted to put my voice to the Bible- not only bits of the Bible, but the whole thingand this is what I’m doing. I’m now recording the whole of the Bible. It will fulfil what I suppose is a 27 year ambition. I think what is surprising when reading the Bible out loud is over and over again I hear in my head the quote from the Bible: ‘Hear the word of the Lord.’ It’s my prayer that everybody hearing my reading will find that it will be fresh and they will think (as I think when I’m reading it), ‘This is fantastic!’ What I hope from a personal point of view is that they will want to keep returning to it. But I must leave it to a far higher Being and let Him do as He wants with it.
Transcript printed with permission from Hodder & Stoughton.
NIV Audio Bible Read by David Suchet RRP: £39.99 / 9781444786408 This audio recording of the Bible could be the perfect gift for many of your family and friends. Over 6 MP3 discs, Poirot actor David Suchet reads the whole Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. Meditate as you hear the Scriptures aloud, listen as you read along or take God’s Word with you on your commute to work. For all who enjoy listening as they travel, work or rest, the NIV Audio Bible would be the perfect companion.
The Biggest Story Kevin DeYoung RRP: £11.99 / 9781433542442 Many children have been told the stories of the Bible, but few ever grasp the ‘Biggest Story’ that makes sense of all the others. Best-selling author, Kevin DeYoung (Crazy Busy), does just that in this beautifully illustrated book. He explains how Jesus is not just our Saviour, but also the fulfilment of a long line of prophecies, patterns and predictions. This is a story that will help both children and adults better understand how much God loves us and keeps His promises. Amanda Lutes,
CLC International
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Read the Bible in 2016 Have you made any New Year’s Resolutions yet?
If reading more of God’s Word is on your list of goals, you’re in for an exciting year:
‘For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword…’ Hebrews 4.12 Perhaps you’re itching to get into God’s Word, but you’re not sure where to start. Maybe you want to branch out from familiar passages and get the big picture of Scripture as a whole. We’ve selected some reading guides to help you explore the glorious true story of the Bible.
READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
EXPLORE THE BIBLE AS A FAMILY
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The One Year NLT Bible RRP: £12.99 / 9781414302041 Get ready to read the whole Bible in 2016 with The One Year NLT Bible. In this helpful book, the entire NLT translation is divided into daily readings, with passages from the Old Testament, the New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs to read each day. With helpful footnotes and a guide to the NLT translation, this popular resource is easy to use.
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STUDY THE BIBLE OVER THREE YEARS
Search the Scriptures Alan M. Stibbs RRP: £16.99 / 9780851117867 Search the Scriptures takes us on a three year adventure through God’s Word, with a Bible reading and study questions for each day. This much-loved resource has helped many generations to study the Scriptures and grow in their love and knowledge of the Lord. Over the course of the three years, you’ll gradually cover the entirety of the Bible, allowing its rich truths to sink in along the way.
Family Time Andrew Brannigan RRP: £4.99 / 9781781915899 Spend time exploring God’s Word with little ones. This handy book contains 82 ideas to get you reading the Bible as a family. There are short prayers, suggestions for activities and memory verses to learn together. Why not make Bible reading as a family part of your weekly routine?
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Following the success of their 2011 studio album by the same name, ‘Joy: An Irish Christmas LIVE CD+DVD’ showcases fresh, extended arrangements. Plus eight new soon-to-be-classic Christmas carols to tell the Christmas story like no other! KWCD3291 / RRP: £11.99
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