Walking with Jesus through Advent and Christmas

Murray McBride

From The Methodist Recorder – 24 November 2005

Its description as a ‘Maporama’ gives a clue to the book’s imaginative format, which is designed to form a frieze illustrating the story of the people of the Bible from the creation to the flight into Egypt. If this sounds daunting, however, endless flexibility is possible in the material’s use, both in the length of the journeys covered and in the production of the 12 sections making up the whole. There are 31 pictures to be coloured and very full and clear instructions on how to make the most of this unique, all-purpose resource – together with the all-important photo-copying permission – either in the family, in school or church and with adults and/or children.

Reviewed by Margaret Daniels

From Reform – November 2005

Walking with Jesus Through Advent and Christmas is a wonderful books for those looking for something a little different this Christmas. It can be used in so many different ways, with school or church groups. It is interactive, using your imagination to walk with Jesus. Again photocopy permission is included.

For the overall picture, a map is required and so the book begins with making a huge map showing the possible journeys all the travellers in the story might have taken. That in itself is very useful and informative. Next we being the visual pilgrimage, a separate mini-map version for adults and children. This is similar to an Advent calendar with a biblical reference each day and a picture though it takes us to December 31. Each day has five sections – the Bible reading (from Luke and Matthew); the journey guide (biblical reflection); daily travels (personal reflection); the journey in colour (think about the colours you choose); and prayer. Although guidance is given daily, encouragement is given to pursue one’s own personal journey.

Whether this book be used in school or church groups, the material has been divided into ‘4 ready to use sessions’, including all preparation necessary. Murray McBride has thought of everything! I am certain that children and adults will enjoy using this material.

Reviewed by Linda Rice

From: The Star in the East – Autumn Edition

Murray McBride lives and breathes his passion for evangelism, especially to children and young people.

I first came across him as an exceptional young evangelist with the Church Army, where, as well as running a highly innovative national youth programme, he created a fantastic young people’s evangelism tool entitled God Shaped Hole. So successful was this pocket-sized free booklet, with print runs and reprints going into the hundreds of thousands, that Murray wrote a second version in a similar style but suitable for adult evangelism use that itself has proven to be a more than worthy successor to Norman Warren’s Journey into Life.

In more recent years, Murray has become an ordained Anglican priest, but has lost none of his passion for evangelism. As he ministers in a group of rural parishes in Cumbria, he continues to develop new and innovative resources, as this new publication proves.

Regrettably only section headings, rather than the full contents of this publication, were available at the time of going to press. However, knowing Murray, it will be full of innovative and useful tools that we are advised include maps, 31 daily reflections and other authorised photocopiable material that will bring alive the Advent and Christmas season to the younger members of our church congregations and in our Sunday schools.

I therefore have no hesitation in recommending it on past performance alone from this award winning evangelist.

Reviewed by Nigel Edward-Few, Director of Biblelands

Click on the cover of the book to see further information or to purchase.