Stories of Christmas

"Stories of Christmas is a visual anthology that will help individuals, Bible study groups and prayer groups to celebrate Advent and the Christmas season. These programs can help various age groups to focus on the deeper meanings of this liturgical season, meanings lost to many in the press of preparation and family festivities.

Behold This Child: The Gospel Stories of Jesus' Birth (junior high-adult, 45 min.) includes four segments with Father Anthony Scannell, O.F.M. Cap., as host:

The Christmas Story: An Introduction(10 min.);

The Promise Fulfilled: The Annunciation Stories (11 min.);

And It Came to Pass: The Birth of the Messiah (10 min.);

What Child Is This? The Messiah Is Recognized (12 min.).

The First Christmas Crib: A Story of St. Francis of Assisi (all ages, 12 min.).

Father Murray Bodo, O.F.M., expert on Assisi, is the knowledgeable host, and Susan Saint Sing, who has also lived and worked in the land of St. Francis, offers a musical reflection. The visuals are still photos of lovingly crafted clay figures. The Mouse in the Manger (all ages, 19 min.), based on the book of the same name by Rev. Gennaro Gentile and published by Ave Maria Press, is a children's story to be enjoyed by everyone. Oscar is the mouse who runs away from home and meets several other animals with a place in the Christmas story. It's a tale of friendship and service, illustrated by a small animal not everyone welcomes to their vision of the manger. This story will change that!"