It may only be October but Christmas goodies are already creeping their way into the high street shops.

As people turn their attention to the festive season, the Methodist Church is encouraging Christians to give a more meaningful gift this Christmas than the usual stocking fillers.

Its new booklet, 'A Gift of Christmas', celebrates the story of Christmas and includes Bible passages, striking images from the Methodist Collection of Modern Art, prayers and reflections from several authors, including John Byrom, Valerie Collinson and Graham Kendrick.

The Methodist Church is hoping that Christians will buy the booklets to give away as gifts to their friends, neighbours and family.

“The birth of Christ is the greatest gift ever given to humankind and we want to celebrate Christmas by sharing that gift with others,” said Deacon Eunice Attwood, Vice-President of the Methodist Conference and a contributor to the booklet.

“A Gift of Christmas is an inspiring and engaging resource for churches to use to help their communities engage with the spirit of Christmas.

"Last year our Circuit literally gave away thousands of booklets, and we’re really excited by this new publication.”

The booklet includes a free nativity play script written by Rev Howard Mellor and new Christmas hymns from Singing in Faith, the new Methodist hymn collection due for release next summer.

The Church is encouraging churchgoers to use the booklet in their small groups or for personal reflection this Christmas.

The booklet can be purchased from www.methodistpublishing.org.uk at the price of £5 for 50 copies.

The Methodist Church plans to make a PowerPoint presentation of the booklet available soon for free download at www.methodist.org.uk/gift