The Heart House - An Austrian Christmas Story

Written by a grandmother for her grandchildren, this endearing book describes the story of an Austrian family living in America as they introduce their children to their traditional Christmas customs they grew up with in Austria.  This story will show your family how to decorate your heart houses in preparation for the Holy Family and invite Baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph to the inn of your hearts on Christmas Day.

28 pages, 6" by 3 1/2"

Christmas O Antiphons Holy Card Set

This set of holy cards features 7 different vintage Christmas images which include symbols of the great price Christ would later pay for our redemption.  On the back of the holy cards are the seven great O Antiphon prayers which the Catholic Church has been praying during Vespers, or Evening Prayers, since the eighth century.  The O Antiphon prayers are drawn from the Old Testament imagery of the longing for the Messiah to fulfil God's promise of a Redeemer.  Also featured on each holy card is the Christmas Prayer, "Hail and Blessed be the hour...", which can be said as a novena beginning on the Feast of St. Andrew, November 30th, and ending on Christmas Day.

Set of 7 holy cards, Printed on ivory cardstock, 2 3/4" by 3 1/2"

Image source: Chant Art

St. Nicholas of Myra - Great Wonderworker

On the cover of this booklet, is a 13th century Russian icon of St. Nicholas.  We offer this biography on this great saint, gleaned from a variety of publications from the past centuries.  This booklet is perfect for the whole family to enjoy, learning about the life of St. Nicholas and the many titles he has been given, including Good Shepherd that Saveth, Gentle Tutor of Children, and Tiller of the Soul among many others.  Prepare for Christmas during the Advent season by praying the Ancient Novena to Saint Nicholas, found in the pages following the story of his life.

Booklet, 20 pages.

Saint Nicholas Stickers - Set of 12

2 1/2" round stickers of Saint Nicholas of Myra featuring 6 different images from various countries throughout the world across the centuries.   Show your devotion to the great wonderworker, St. Nicholas, with this set of stickers.  Add them to your outgoing mail and packages, decorate your Christmas gifts, and so much more!

Set of 12, 2 1/2" stickers

Saint Nicholas Hope of All Christians Holy Card

We know that the prayers of a righteous man availeth much for our good; therefore we ask the intercession of Saint Nicholas, Hope of All Christians, to help us prepare our heart houses for the Holy Family.  This holy card features a painting by Cheorghe Tattarescu with a prayer asking St. Nicholas to come to our assistance and guide us to eternal life.

Printed on ivory cardstock, 3" by 5"

Saint Nicholas Stickers - Set of 15

A set of large stickers featuring 15 different images of Saint Nicholas of Myra gleaned from icons, paintings, and more made in his honor through the centuries.  Show your devotion to the great wonderworker, St. Nicholas, with this set of stickers.  Add them to your outgoing mail and packages, decorate your Christmas gifts, and so much more!

Set of 15, 2 x 2.675 stickers

Animals Celebrate Christmas Coloring Book

This charming book, ideal for children from kindergarten to elementary, features 22 animals to color with poetry on each page telling the story of the animals coming to adore the Holy Baby Jesus in Bethlehem.

Softcover, spiral binding, 23 pages

Saint Nicholas Gentle Tutor Holy Card

Featuring an 18th century icon from Belarus, this holy card reminds school children, those in catechism classes, youth, and college students to prepare for the Advent season by invoking the wonderworker St. Nicholas under his title Gentle Tutor of Children.

Printed on heavy white cardstock, 3" by 5"

Plans for building a folding manger to display a figure of the Christ Child in your home during the Christmas season.  Instructions are for a 12" long manger.  You may change the measurements to build a manger size of your choice.  Pattern includes a list of materials and tools, step-by-step instructions in both words and pictures, and a color picture of the finished product.  Recommended level:  beginner.

This is a wonderful project to work on in Advent and when you are done you can use the crib to follow the old custom of building a Christmas Crib in your heart:  place a jar of straw or paper cut to look like straw beside the empty crib at the beginning of Advent and all through Advent each time a family member does an act of love or sacrifice for the Christ Child, place a straw in the crib.  By Christmas, when it comes time to place the figure of the Baby Jesus in the manger, there should be a nice bed of straw waiting!

Included insert:  The Advent Family Spiritual Crib - a little card with a prayer and act of love for each day of December leading up to Christmas.  Use it to build a home in your heart for the Baby Jesus.

Dimensions of final product:  10" x 7" x 12" (Dimensions can be adjusted based on the size of your Christ Child figure.)

Pattern designed by Joseph Shema.

Product does not include wood or tools; instructions only.

Plans for making a wooden stable for an indoor manger scene.  Written to house 5" tall figurines, can be adapted to fit the size of figurines in your Nativity set.  Pattern includes a list of materials and tools, step-by-step instructions in both words and pictures, and a color picture of the finished product.  Recommended level:  beginner.  Also includes the story The First Christmas Crib -- learn how this favorite custom came to be!  This stable will make a beautiful addition to the home manger scene, and is a great project for father and son to work on.

Dimensions of final product:  14.5" x 10" x 9" (Dimensions will change based on the size figurines you make it for)

Pattern designed by Catholic master woodcarver Bill Fitzgibbons.

Product does not include wood or tools; instructions only.