Christmas Library 2024: Christmas with Lilie A. Faris

New Testament Stories Retold For Children (1936) by Lillie A. Faris. Published by Platt & Munk Co. 
Cover scan from Blogger's Collection. A digitized version is available from the Internet Archive at: https://archive.org/details/newtestamentstor00fari 

Lillie A. Faris (1869 - 1945) was a pioneering book author, publisher and storyteller in Christian education. In some accounts she introduced flannel board educational products for Bible teaching. Most of her books were published by the Standard Publishing Company of Ohio. 

A few years ago I shared illustrations by Arthur O. Scott from her 1936 collection of New Testament Stories for Children. 

As a frequent thrift store customer, it is still possible to acquire works by Ms. Faris in good condition. I recently found this Bible Story Reader and wanted to share a portion for Christmas. 

Standard Bible Story Reader, Book Two (1935, rev. 1947). Standard Publishing Company.

It is a 1947 revision with edits by Dorothy Kay Foster of a 1935 edition by Faris. I hope to find more of Faris' works in bookstores and thrift shops. 

Sources:

Lillie A. Faris. Find-A-Grave. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/74492302/lillie-a-faris

Nickell, Pamela. Historical Society celebrates 50th year of Highland House Museum. Highland County Press. January 15, 2016. https://highlandcountypress.com/social/historical-society-celebrates-50th-year-highland-house-museum-10#gsc.tab=0  

 

Christmas Library 2022: Give Your Child A Bible For Christmas and Tell Your Children The True Christmas Story

"Christmas Bible Child". Original Art by James R. Stewart Jr., 2022. 

A Little Girl's Bible gifted 65 Christmases ago.
Found in a thrift store in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. 

For over six years, I have shared a post about giving a Bible and Bible study books to children for Christmas.

Your child, grandchild, pupil, sibling, or friend is never too young for their first Bible, or Bible story book, and having a copy that comes from someone they love will have a special meaning. In my quest for Bible media, I do come across used Bibles and other media from many Christmas long past. The 1955 Christmas Bible pictured above is a favorite and I am reposting it again as part of the 2020 Christmas Library.

For Christmas Eve, and an especially cold one for many people, begin with the True Christmas Story of Jesus and his birth. Don't stop there and tell your young ones the whole story of who Jesus is. 

Christmas Library 2022 - Glory To God In The Highest - Luke 2: 8-15

Luke 2:8-15

King James Version

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

Christmas Library 2022 : Visiting A Historic Church Community at Christmas Time

Ideas For Things To Do: Visiting a Historic Church, Museum or Exhibit for Christmas.

Historic Old Salem, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

I live in the state of North Carolina, and whenever possible I visit historic Old Salem, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, one of the oldest Moravian communities in North America. There I learn about the legendary Moravian Candle Feasts, smell the beeswax candles, sample apple cider & spice cookies baked in 200 year old oven, and see old time Christmas carolers. Perhaps near you is a historic church, a religious community, a sacred bell tower, some place that has an extra special meaning at Christmas time.

Even within your congregation, there may be stories of Christmas services in older sanctuaries and powerful sermons from former pastors.

Taking your loved one(s) to a historic place, especially one where worship and praising the Lord took place for generations, can be very joyous at Christmas time.

Christmas Library 2021: Treasures From The Library

In researching the history of Bible Storytelling Media, I have come across many unique books, movies and other comics about Christmas, specifically the birth of Christ. They make for wonderful gifts and keepsakes.

It is impossible to read or view them all in one holiday season. The Christmas Library theme is a way to share some of these findings. In the image above I have VHS tapes of Christian Christmas Specials, books, a mini Nativity, an Al Hartley Spire Comic book and a rare set of cards on behalf of the Orphan Children of Bethlehem with artifacts from the Middle East.

My beautiful wife is Shavon is a doll collector. An extra special treasure from her collection are these dolls of Jesus and little children. 

May God Bless You and Yours This Christmas Day, and in the Days to Come.

- James

Christmas Library 2021: Sharing The Word and Christmas Treasures on Pinterest

Above image was found on Pinterest from a Weebly account. Original artist unknown.

It is not a secret that there is a "Family Bible Storytelling Media" page on Pinterest, but it is a resource that I have neglected to share on this blog.

https://pin.it/7rIjt20

Being on Pinterest makes it easy to select and share wonderful examples of devotionals, Bible studies, hymn lyrics, cartoons, stunning artwork and so much more that creatively teaches the Bible.

At Christmas time, Pinterest has an abundance of wonderful visuals on scripture and devotionals that give glory and honor to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I have shared some of these, and will continue to do so on this Pinterest account.

Christmas Library 2021 - Christmas Lights In The Darkness

 

Christmas is celebrated each year with an uncountable number of lights, flickering candles, luminarias, and even fireworks. Christmas to me is the world's largest birthday party. It is amazing that more lights are lit in the darkest nights of the year than in any other season. He is light in the darkness. The lights of Christmas can be a strong reminder that Jesus Christ is The Light Of The World.......and we are to let our light shine in a dark world. Collectively, the body of Christ can glow like a giant strand of Christmas lights.

Please feel free to share these devotional flyers this Christmas Season.

2021 Christmas Library!

For the 4th year in a row the Family Bible Storytelling Media blog will feature posts from the "Christmas Library". There will be classic stories, quotes, scriptures, links to videos and much more all December long. The actual "Christmas Library" page will be updated by December 1st.

Christmas Library 2020: Watch for "Nestor" and "Little Drummer Boy"

 This weekend the AMC cable network is continuing a long-time cable Christmas tradition of dedicating a full Saturday or weekend to the vintage Rankin-Bass "Animagic" specials. Among those specials are two that highlight the birth of Christ as central to Christmas, "Nestor, The Long Eared Christmas Donkey" (1977), and "The Little Drummer Boy, Book II" the sequel to the 1968 classic. 

Both special air twice this weekend, and again throughout the month. For dates and times visit the "Christmas Library" page. 

Christmas Library 2020: Singing "Joy To The World"

"Joy To The World" by James R. Stewart Jr.
This image may be freely used for ministry with source acknowledgments.

After years of studying Christian cartoonists Jack Hamm, Al Hartley, other Christian artists, and vintage Christmas artwork, I thought I would give a try at a teaching and inspirational one-panel drawing. This image is based on an old newspaper ad with choir boys. 

"Joy To The World" is the classic, traditional Christmas hymn written by minister Isaac Watts, and first published in 1719. While associated with Christmas, some of the inspiration behind Watts lyrics actually comes from Psalm 98 in which God revealed his plan for salvation through the nation of Israel, and that salvation is praiseworthy. Psalm 98 begins with:

Sing to the Lord a new song,

    for he has done marvelous things;

his right hand and his holy arm

    have worked salvation for him.

This Christmas season, while singing or listening to a Christmas hymn, pay attention to the message of the song. Many, including "Joy To The World", teaching not just about Christ's first coming at Christmas, but also for his second coming which will be even more glorious. 

 

Christmas Library 2020: Give A Child Their First Bible For Christmas

A Little Girl's Bible gifted 65 Christmases ago.
Found in a thrift store in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. 

For the past five years, I have shared a post about giving a Bible and Bible study books to children for Christmas.

Your child, grandchild, pupil, sibling, or friend is never too young for their first Bible, and having a copy that comes from someone they love will have a special meaning. In my quest for Bible media, I do come across used Bibles and other media from many Christmas long past. The 1955 Christmas Bible pictured above is a favorite and I am reposting it again as part of the 2020 Christmas Library.