My four year old loves finding the next ornament by matching each story's readings with the appropriate picture. Even my one-year old loves to play with the ornaments, and since they are sturdy plastic I don't have to worry about them breaking!

Saint Eustathius has been one of my favorite Saints for years. Gabriel Wilson did a wonderful job in telling the story in an engaging way. Three of my family members read the book right away...cover to cover and a few times. I bought a book for each of my school aged Godchildren because I know they will love it. I especially appreciate how Mr. Wilson tied in typical worldly responses of common people to difficulties such as the other Christians asking why God doesn’t deliver them from difficulties in contrast to what is most needed: the steadfast bravery and commitment to God which shines in Saint Eustathius and his family. Thankful for this book.

This is an amazing book. It reads like a conversation, the kind you might have on a tough day, sitting in a squeaky kitchen chair and cuddling the cup of hot coffee that's going to keep you alive until bedtime. Christmas is coming, the world is sparkling around you, and you are exhausted by your attempts to be as happy as you expected to be. That's why you need this book. Reading it, I decided that most of us (including me) have no idea what joy really IS, let alone how to BE joyful. The book has many strengths, but one of the best is the way it uses clear, practical language to convey deep theological wisdom. You'll read a sentence and think it's simple, and then the floor will drop out of it and you'll realize it has enough depth to keep you reflecting on it for the rest of your life. Phoebe does a wonderful job of including the voices and experiences of the church fathers - AND those of human beings she has seen or known in modern life. She includes stories of both defeat and victory on the path to joyful living. The book is honest and hopeful. It holds you to a high standard, but gives you the tools and inspiration to meet that high standard. I also appreciated the many ways in which the book was not "obvious." You might think, even after a glimpse at the table of contents, that some of the 7 practices are things you've already heard or already tried, but as you work through the chapters, you discover their enormity. These practices are things a normal person can do in normal life. They are simple, but not easy. But even thinking about them, beginning to plan how you might attempt one or two, will stretch your mind and heart.

VERY helpful book for understanding the nature of my sin better and receiving guidance on living a life of repentance...

An utterly beautiful book! Although my son is already nine years old, the messages and lessons contained in this book were still relevant to me - as indeed, receiving our children with hospitality never ends, no matter their age. I would have loved to have had this while pregnant, however. I could easily see this being a wonderful gift or title to add to one's own reading list for expectant mothers. I enjoyed the parallels between the physiological realities of pregnancy and the spiritual wisdom we have in the Orthodox church. Indeed, it also serves as a helpful refresher on so much of our theology. At the same time, it provides very helpful information on the biological processes happening in the body during pregnancy, delivery, postpartum, and breastfeeding. The combination of personal reflection, biology, and theology is a lovely meld. I am sure I will be flipping through it often to look for favorite gems and reminders. Even with an older child, so much of the ideas presented are still wonderful reminders-such as the pages on the many interruptions a baby brings to one's life. The interruptions still continue, and it's helpful to pause and consider the lessons there. I recommend this to all moms and am sure I will be giving it as a gift! Next, I'd love to see a similar book on Orthodox fatherhood! I did receive an advanced reading copy for my review, and I'm so glad I did.

Beautiful.

Wonderful stories! I cherish ready this book. I normally do not write in books, but there are nuggets of wisdom I have underlined and stated!

It is truly beautiful.

It fits in my hand good.I can work with it and do my reading at the service on Sunday and holy days.As I sub deacon it works well with the books and things I do for are GOD !!!!!!-

This is a remarkable book for our children to help them understand the meaning of Lent.

the icon calendars from Ancient Faith are always beautiful and inspiring.

Loved it, wish it were longer. I'd like to see this done for many more Saints.

Excellent — as usual!

Excellent! I'll recommend it to others. We need more videos like this!
Linda

As an Evangelical preacher's kid, Sunday worship was this: three drum-and-electric guitar and keyboard pop-rock songs, pulsing stage lights and haze from a smoke machine, a sermon and the quarterly, rushed and self-served "communion" of oyster crackers and grape juice.
Then, I attended Divine Liturgy at an Eastern Orthodox church. I was inundated by the flickering light of candles, incense, icons, vestments, chants and singing, ancient prayers -- true reverence that engaged all the senses -- and stirred the spirit.
In "Orthodox Worship: A Living Continuity with the Synagogue, the Temple, and the Early Church," co-authored Benjamin D. Williams and the late Harold B. Anstall, I learned it was all that . . . and much, much more.
I experienced this work as Ancient Faith's newly updated, audiobook format (https://store.ancientfaith.com/orthodox-worship-audiobook/). At just under 6 and a half hours long, it was the perfect devotional companion for my daily walks.
Striding down forested trails flanked by meadows and streams, I was easily able to immerse myself in the history of how today's Orthodox Christian worship as a continuation, and fulfillment, of the Jewish temple and synagogue liturgical practices Christ's first disciples and apostles knew from their childhoods.
Deacon Kenneth Timothy's engaging and passionate narration conveys both authors' deep faith, as well as his own. In this way, the book becomes something more than words on a page or eBook reader; it is a conversation with a friend and spiritual brother.
This is a book aimed at the layperson, but no less complete in its theological exploration or attention to details of the Divine Liturgy's content and ancient symbolism and rituals, culminating in Holy Communion, the mystical yet real joining of heaven and earth in true worship.
Divine Liturgy, at its inspired and best, is not a spiritual spectator's sport. To merely listen, occasionally make the sign of the cross, get in line for Eucharist and then leave unchanged within, is a tragic waste.
The blessing comes with participation, Williams and Anstall stress. Given the invitation for a foretaste of the Kingdom of God, along with the saints and angels, why would we not?

Excellent choice of Icons. Good value.

I loved this book! As a female, I enjoyed hearing what the general environment was like on Mount Athos as well as the natural outdoor aspects of the mountain. The author told his story with humor and grace and his own miracle was touching. It was easy to read and enjoyable.

The new ‘Beautiful Christmas’ Coloring book is perfect for Christmas gifts or for St. Nicholas day. We always do a religious gift for St. Nicholas day and I wouldn’t hesitate to get this! It is beautifully illustrated with the Christmas story and saints surrounding this time of year. It would be great for keeping the kiddos quite during liturgy or time at the table coloring learning about the nativity. We used it recently during a snow day even.

If you've ever read Abbot Tryphon's posts from his Facebook page, or listened to his podcast on Ancient Faith Radio, you're already familiar with his gentle but incisive style and simple way of explaining the profound. Reading The Morning Offering is like diving into even more of that well of gentle wisdom. At times the daily readings are lyrical and stirring, at other times more stark and startling as he confronts the realities of our modern culture with an Orthodox Christian perspective offering strength, hope, and peace in our troubled times.Since the book is formatted as a collection of daily thoughts, it would be a great year-long read. I read it much faster, but I plan to re-read it beginning in January and take my time absorbing each reflection.I think this would be an excellent Christmas/Nativity gift, as the readings start in January, comparing our all-too-fleeting new year's resolutions with a renewed focus on virtue. They then meander through the year, sometimes reflecting on the significange of a particular day or season, but often simply delving into the struggles and perplexities of our human condition, with constant encouragement in how best to stay on track spiritually, keep our focus on God, and align ourself with the Church and her teachings. In rhythm with the seasons and feasts of the church, The Morning Offering then brings us back to complete our journey through the Nativity fast, ready to begin the year anew.The days leading up to Christmas and Nativity were especially relevant, I felt, as they address practicing gratitude and reaching out to others during the busy holidays, when some of the loneliest among us often experience isolation and despair. The author reminds us throughout the book of our Lord's command to care for "the least of these," which is so important in our fast-paced and insular modern age.Like a series of letters from a beloved grandfather or Godfather, Abbot Tryphon's work is a wealth of little treasures waiting to be discovered, snippets of deep insight and guidance to help us along our spiritual path.

This coloring book is exactly as it says - completely beautiful. It is filled with images thoughtfully ordered that bring us through the nativity season, with the incarnation naratives from Annunciation to the Nativity along with traditions and seasonal saints. It has pages with intricate detailed pages as well as more simple lovely ones. There are also mazes and activities, like a maze helping St Nicholas to bring gold coins to the window. The paper is thick enough to use marker or ever watercolor (even with young ones and their marker exuberance) and the binding is strong and high quality.

We had entirely too much fun working together, making time lapse videos, and coloring with markers, crayons, colored pencils, and watercolors! Best of all there are still lots and lots of images left.

I would definitely recommend this as a great gift for children age 5-95 offering images that bring our hearts and minds to the reason for this beautiful season.