It is the Advent 3B selection of readings that really puts the joy in “Joy Sunday.” All four readings include either an explicit exhortation for God’s people to rejoice in the Lord or a testimony of joy from the narrator’s heart. Since all that Mark has to say about John the Baptist before Jesus’ arrival…
Today in the Spirit: Advent 2B
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…
Hymn Guide: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Perhaps the most familiar hymn of Advent, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” has an ancient but obscure origin.
The O Antiphons (The Liturgical Home)
The “O Antiphons” are a beatiful tradition going back 1,300 years. They are scripturally-based prayers focusing on the titles given to Christ in scripture.
The Liturgical Home: Saint Lucy Day
In this article, Ashley shares how she celebrates Saint Lucy Day in the home, with a recipe for Saffron Buns! For more Advent traditions and recipes, see Ashley’s book, The Liturgical Home: Advent. My family has always loved celebrating St. Lucy’s Day on December 13th. We have such fun making saffron buns, a traditional food for…
The Liturgical Home: An Advent Bidding Prayer
The season of Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas, a time set aside when Christians around the world prepare their hearts for the coming of Christ. Advent is all about slowing down, waiting, and longing for the fulfillment of God’s purposes. The season of Advent was anything but those things for a young mom with…
Parish Project: Making Advent Wreaths
Advent is a perfect season to connect church and home. Here are ideas for making Advent wreaths together at church, together with ways to use them at home. Why Advent Wreaths? The purpose of Advent is to prepare our hearts to celebrate the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, both the first and…
Introducing The Liturgical Home
The Liturgical Home is an Anglican Compass series of articles and books on serving the Anglican family. It is a place to learn everything you need to know to incorporate your faith into your home. A powerful way for Anglicans to live out their faith in their home is by celebrating the seasons of the…
12 Challenges of the Christmas Eve Service
Even if your shopping is complete and the gifts are wrapped, the pastor knows that there is one more thing to do before Christmas morning. Hold Christmas Eve Services. Whether you are preaching, celebrating the Eucharist, leading the prayers, singing the carols, handing out bulletins, or greeting people at the door, it is a big…
The “Perfect” Christmas Eve Sermon??
Christmas Eve is rough on preachers; at least for this one. The atmosphere for a truly great sermon is all there: scenery, families, music, lighting, Scripture, attendance, joy, and a holy hope in every heart and on every face. But my Christmas Eve sermons (33 and counting) are never equal to this setting. They always seem weak and…
