{"product_id":"christ-among-us-an-advent-journey-from-watching-to-living","title":"Christ Among Us – An Advent Journey from Watching to Living","description":"\u003ch2 class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChrist Among Us\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAn Advent Journey from Watching to Living\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(39, 139, 39);\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eDigital download product\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBy Philip Garside\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eDiscover Christ in everyday encounters this Advent through a four-session journey of thoughtful reflection, honest conversation and practical hope.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThis \u003cb\u003eSmall Group Study Resource\u003c\/b\u003e will help you:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin-top: 0cm;\" type=\"disc\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003eRecognise Christ’s presence in ordinary acts of compassion, justice and welcome.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003eExplore Advent and Christmas readings through thoughtful, inclusive reflections.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003eLead meaningful conversations using prepared summaries and discussion questions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003eMake room for uncertainty, grief and joy within the journey towards Christmas.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003eListen to overlooked voices and discover opportunities to work alongside others.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003eConnect the Christmas message of God among us with daily life.\u003cbr style=\"mso-special-character: line-break;\"\u003e\u003c!-- [if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--\u003e\u003cbr style=\"mso-special-character: line-break;\"\u003e\u003c!--[endif]--\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFeatures\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin-top: 0cm;\" type=\"disc\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003eFour sessions based on selected Revised Common Lectionary readings for Advent and Christmas 2026, Year B.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003eSessions designed to last 45–60 minutes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003eA final session bringing together Advent 4 and Christmas Day, suitable for meeting before Christmas.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003eSermon summaries for group reading, with all five full sermons included for background and deeper exploration.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003eSix discussion questions per session, including an invitation to a practical response.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003eOpening prayers, blessings and The Grace.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003ePowerPoint slideshow and an image for each week included.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003eSuitable for in-person groups or online gatherings using Zoom.\u003cbr style=\"mso-special-character: line-break;\"\u003e\u003c!-- [if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--\u003e\u003cbr style=\"mso-special-character: line-break;\"\u003e\u003c!--[endif]--\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eYour digital resource zipped package includes\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin-top: 0cm;\" type=\"disc\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eA 35-page A4 PDF Study Guide\u003c\/b\u003e, with leader instructions and all four sessions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eA 61-slide PowerPoint presentation\u003c\/b\u003e, covering the introductions, prayers, reading references, sermon summaries, discussion questions and blessings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eFour weekly images\u003c\/b\u003e for promoting your study through your website, church bulletin or social media.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eAfter purchasing the course package for your church or group, you are welcome to share, copy or email extracts among course leaders and participants to help run the sessions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eVideo Introduction\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/pgplebookstodownload.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com\/Christ_Among_Us.mp4\" title=\"Video intro\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/9793\/5667\/files\/Christ-Among-Us-Video-Still_480x480.png?v=1791456000\" alt=\"\" style=\"margin-bottom: 16px; float: none;\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/pgplebookstodownload.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com\/Christ_Among_Us.mp4\" title=\"Play a seven-minute video introduction to this course\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eClick here or the image below to play a 7-minute video introduction to this study resource\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDescription\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eWhere might we meet Christ this Advent? In familiar readings and favourite carols, certainly. But also, in a neighbour needing company, a stranger offering kindness, or people working together to restore a damaged community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eChrist Among Us\u003c\/i\u003e invites groups to explore those possibilities through four sessions that move from watching attentively to living compassionately. Drawing on the \u003ci\u003eWorship at Hand\u003c\/i\u003e resources for Advent and Christmas 2026, it connects biblical stories with the relationships, questions and responsibilities of everyday life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe journey begins by noticing where love is already at work. It then explores how we can offer comfort, remove barriers to belonging and participate in the work of healing and justice. In the final session, Mary’s questioning and willingness to respond lead into the Christmas declaration that the Word became flesh and lived among us.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThroughout, God’s grace comes before our response. Participants are encouraged to discover what they can offer and what they need to receive. Rest, listening and accepting help have a place alongside action.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eRooted in the life of Aotearoa New Zealand, the reflections engage with experiences familiar to many communities: loneliness, housing insecurity, exclusion, care for creation and uncertainty about the future. They invite a faith that honours human dignity and recognises God’s activity beyond familiar church boundaries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThere is room here for people whose Christmas includes grief, complicated relationships or unanswered questions. Hope grows through honest attention to life as it is, and through discovering what love makes possible.\u003cbr style=\"mso-special-character: line-break;\"\u003e\u003c!-- [if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--\u003e\u003c!--[endif]--\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Four Sessions\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAdvent 1 — Learning to Notice\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eSunday 29 November 2026 \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBible readings:\u003c\/b\u003e Mark 13:24-37 and 1 Corinthians 1:3-9.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eMark’s call to keep awake invites us to look for Christ in the people and circumstances around us. Paul’s assurance of grace reminds us that we are already loved and equipped to participate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThis session explores watchfulness as a daily practice: recognising small signs of hope, noticing overlooked neighbours and discovering where we might join God’s continuing work.\u003cbr style=\"mso-special-character: line-break;\"\u003e\u003c!-- [if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--\u003e\u003cbr style=\"mso-special-character: line-break;\"\u003e\u003c!--[endif]--\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAdvent 2 — Making a Way for Love\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eSunday 6 December 2026\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBible readings:\u003c\/b\u003e Isaiah 40:1-11 and Mark 1:1-8.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eIsaiah speaks comfort to displaced people, while John the Baptist announces a new beginning in the wilderness. Their images of preparing a road connect personal care with the wider work of justice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eParticipants consider what genuine comfort involves and what prevents people from experiencing dignity and belonging. The practical invitation is to help make someone else’s road a little easier.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAdvent 3 — Joining the Work of Hope\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eSunday 13 December 2026\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBible readings:\u003c\/b\u003e Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 and John 1:6-8, 19-28.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eComing home does not immediately heal every wound. Isaiah’s vision of restoration speaks into communities where rebuilding remains unfinished, while John points towards a presence his listeners have yet to recognise.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThis session explores practical hope, shared responsibility and the gifts of people who have experienced hardship. It encourages groups to listen carefully, respect people’s choices and work alongside those already helping their communities flourish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAdvent 4 and Christmas Day — Making Room for Love to Take Flesh\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eSunday 20 December and Friday 25 December 2026\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eMain Bible readings:\u003c\/b\u003e Luke 1:26-38 and John 1:1-14.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSupporting readings:\u003c\/b\u003e 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 and Isaiah 52:7-10.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eMary listens, questions and responds without knowing everything that lies ahead. John’s Christmas proclamation brings us to the wonder of God sharing vulnerable human life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eBringing Advent and Christmas together, this final session explores making space to listen, giving and receiving care, and welcoming joy alongside life’s unfinished concerns. Participants reflect on what they will carry from the course into Christmas and beyond.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eReady to Use with Your Group\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eClear instructions and a consistent session structure make the course straightforward to lead. Read the introduction, share the opening prayer and Bible readings, then use the sermon summary to begin the conversation. Six questions offer direction while allowing groups to follow what captures their interest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe full sermons provide additional context without needing to be read aloud during the meeting. Use the accompanying PowerPoint in person or through screen sharing, and the weekly images to invite people to take part.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eChrist Among Us\u003c\/i\u003e is suitable for churches, small groups and individual readers seeking a thoughtful Advent grounded in compassion, curiosity and hope.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eMake space this Advent to notice Christ among us – and discover how that encounter can shape the way we live.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003ePhilip Garside is a writer, publisher and Methodist Lay Preacher based in Aotearoa New Zealand. His \u003ci\u003eWorship at Hand\u003c\/i\u003e resources bring progressive Christian reflection into conversation with everyday life, supporting worship and discussion shaped by compassion, inclusion and social justice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eContents\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin-top: 0cm;\" type=\"disc\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003eAbout this Study Guide\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003eInstructions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003eAdvent 1 — Learning to Notice\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003eAdvent 2 — Making a Way for Love\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003eAdvent 3 — Joining the Work of Hope\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003eAdvent 4 and Christmas Day — Making Room for Love to Take Flesh\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Philip Garside Publishing Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67628988367155,"sku":null,"price":29.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/9793\/5667\/files\/Christ-Among-Us-2026-Advent-Study-1080sq.jpg?v=1791456085","url":"https:\/\/philipgarsidebooks.com\/products\/christ-among-us-an-advent-journey-from-watching-to-living","provider":"Philip Garside Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}