An Advent and Christmas Gift Guide

The Shepherd’s Watch Advent Calendar

Storybook Advent Calendar, One Door a Day

Illustrated by Alida Massari, The Shepherd’s Watch Advent Calendar turns the countdown to Christmas into a story told one door at a time. Behind each numbered door are words and pictures of the Christmas story: angels, shepherds, and the scenery of Bethlehem, all in rich jewel tones. The calendar is printed on card stock and measures 9.6 by 13.7 inches.

Toward the Light of Christmas

Scripture Advent Calendar from Ignatius Press

From Ignatius Press, Toward the Light of Christmas is about 12½ inches square, with art by Éric Puybaret. It is built around Scripture for Advent, and a new window opens each day of December until Christmas. The included booklet offers the Word of God, with Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and the people of Bethlehem, in 32 pages.

Glory to God Advent Wreath

Advent Wreath with Four Candles Included

Classically styled with the look of carved wood, the Glory to God Advent Wreath is a resin wreath encircled by Nativity scenes and Scripture that recount the birth of Jesus. It comes with four Advent candles, three purple and one pink, plus an Advent pamphlet. The wreath is 9 inches in diameter and 2.5 inches high, and the candles are 10 inches high and ¾ inch in diameter.

Star From Afar Christmas Activity Set

A Wise Men’s Star Hunt Until Christmas

The Star From Afar Christmas Activity Set pairs a hardcover, The Christmas Star from Afar, with a wooden star, 10 wooden characters, and a four-piece wooden nativity that matches the book’s artwork. Each day the Star is hidden, and once it’s found, the Three Wise Men move to that spot, until Christmas morning, when the Star is found at the stable with the newborn baby Jesus. The book is a 24-page hardcover.

The Giving Manger Christmas Gift Set

Wooden Manger, Straw and Story, Boxed Gift Set

The Giving Manger Christmas Gift Set is a four-piece set presented in a gift box: a book that tells the story behind the tradition, a wooden manger, a bundle of straw, and a baby Jesus figure. After each act of service, a piece of straw is laid in the manger, and on Christmas Day the figure of the infant Jesus is placed there. The manger is 5½ inches long and 3½ inches wide and high.

Multicolored Wooden Child’s First Rosary

Colorful First Rosary

Strung on a white cord with a wooden cross, the Multicolored Wooden Child’s First Rosary has colorful, non-toxic wooden beads in natural, pink, orange, yellow, bright blue, green, and turquoise. It comes with a card made for children that teaches the prayers of the Rosary. The rosary is 11 inches long, and the beads are 7 mm.

AveMaria Talking Rosary in Six Languages

Talking Rosary

The AveMaria Talking Rosary in Six Languages is heart-shaped and speaks the prayers in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Cantonese, and Mandarin, with full-color images along the way. A Follow Me mode and a soft vibration help keep focus in prayer. It offers three ways to pray.

Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

The Church’s Teaching in One Volume

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition is the official summary of what the Catholic Church believes and teaches, gathered in one 924-page paperback. It walks through what the Church professes, celebrates, lives, and prays, from creation and the sacraments to Mary, the saints, love, and marriage. An index and a glossary of terms make it easy to find a topic or look up an unfamiliar word.

This second edition has been revised in accordance with the official Latin text promulgated by Pope John Paul II in 1997.