This book describes the two main features of the Messy Nativity Advent Project as carried out in Liverpool in 2010: 1. Small knitted sheep go on a journey around local communities. Messy Churches and parishes pass nativity sets from home to home and each host receives a small knitted sheep to keep and remind them of the nativity story and the real meaning of Christmas. The nativity set travels around town through the season of Advent and ends up back at church on Christmas Eve for an all-age service or event. 2. The Sheep Trail. Hunt for the knitted sheep in designated stores around town and complete the leaflet, entering your details for the prize draw and taking home a colouring picture, maze and the nativity story. Messy Nativity gives all the information and resources needed for a church to embark on their own Messy Nativity project. "In this book I share a story of hope. Jesus said to his disciples, 'Go throughout the whole world and preach the gospel to the whole human race.' So why, even at Christmas, is this becoming so hard to do, when the story of Jesus' birth is gradually being squeezed out of our towns and cities, amongst the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping, during the season of Advent? When the Real meaning of Christmas is being replaced with Santa's Magical Kingdom and WinterFests? How can we bring Jesus back into our communities during Advent?"
