Like many of our favorite movies, Advent 2 takes us, suddenly, to a flashback in time from the noise and upheaval of the Son of Man coming on the clouds to the silence of the Judean wilderness and the sight of a strange man dwelling there. In the Gospel of Mark, though it is shorter…
Today in the Spirit: Advent 1B
Happy New Year, Saints! We return to what the Church calls the Incarnation Cycle in the Sunday lectionary. In Year B of the three-year cycle, we embark this Sunday on the second of three pilgrimages, walking in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, this time with the Gospel of Mark as our main guide. Having heard…
The Book of Judith, the Jewish People, and the Advent of the Messiah
This is the fourth part of Dr. Noll’s series, “Reading and Enjoying the Apocrypha.” The Daily Office readings for November (BCP page 760) insert ten days of readings from The Book of Judith, from the Apocrypha. This book picks up themes from the Books of Maccabees, which I reviewed earlier, and adds some gender balance…
The O Antiphons (The Liturgical Home)
On the 17th of December we begin the “O Antiphons,” and the whole tone of Advent changes. We are only eight days (known as an Octave) away from Christmas Day, so there is an increase in activity and a renewed sense of expectation. During these last days, our prayers arise with an ever-increasing crescendo. They…
Today in the Spirit: Advent 4A
We all know that sense of heightened desire that accompanies the arrival of a big day, like a wedding day or the first day of a new job. A moment of transition is at hand, and like a child waiting for, well, Christmas, we feel more intensely the combined force of not yet possessing the…
Today in the Spirit: Advent 3A
In all three years of our Sunday lectionary, Advent 3 is also the Baptist, part 2. After reacquainting us with the character and preaching of John the Baptist in Advent 2, the church assigns a Collect and readings to take us deeper into consideration of the power of biblical prophecy in general and John’s role…
Today in the Spirit: Advent 2A
In the second and third Sundays of Advent, our attention is drawn in the assigned Gospel readings to the ministry of John the Baptist, and so begins the church’s shift from contemplating Jesus’ second coming in glory, like a good film that supplies the end before the beginning, back to the first coming. But before…
Today in the Spirit: Advent 1A
First Advent Sunday is like New Year’s Day in the life of the church. This day and week finds the church inviting us suddenly, after the long Pentecost season, to take stock of our lives as we live them at one point in time in view of the comings of Jesus Christ over time. Having…
Nine Lessons and Carols: A Rookie Anglican Guide
Each December, we ask our readers to give to our TRUE NORTH campaign. We invite you to join us as we point to Jesus through the riches of the Anglican tradition. This year, with the generous support of donors, every gift up to $12,000 will be matched. Give $100, and we will receive $200. Would you prayerfully consider…
Advent: John the Baptist and Me (Part 1)
John the Baptist looms large on the horizon during Advent. Why John? Isn’t this after the birth of Christ? Why would we read this before Christmas? John’s ministry was to prepare the way for Christ, and we are doing this during Advent. You may remember the beautiful story of the baby who leaped for joy… (Note: To…
