John the Baptist, in his wonderful birth, stands as an icon of life. In fact, the Church liturgically remembers the earthly birth—rather than death—of only three people: the Virgin Mary, Our Lord himself, and John.
Today in the Spirit: Easter 7A (Sunday After Ascension)
The Sunday after Ascension Day is the seventh Sunday of the Easter season (just as Pentecost Sunday is the eighth Sunday of Easter). Titling the Sunday as such in the BCP 2019 is a return to the tradition of earlier Anglican Prayer Books, which distinguished Ascensiontide (the ten-day period from Ascension Day to Pentecost) from…
Holy Week at Anglican Cathedrals (2026)
ACNA cathedrals are an ideal destination for anyone wanting to experience Holy Week at its Anglican fullest! Whether it’s carrying Palms in procession to mark the triumphant entrance of Jesus, or special services of prayer and reflection marking the days leading up to Spy Wednesday and the traditional Triduum, the ACNA’s cathedrals provide some wonderful opportunities to observe Holy Week among the body of faithful believers.
The Liturgical Home: How Epiphany Prepares Us for Lent
We’re still enjoying the glow of Christmastide when Epiphany comes, bright, radiant, and full of revelation. The season begins with the Wise Men, led by a star, arriving to worship the child King, and ends with the blinding glory of the Transfiguration. It’s a season of manifestations, of seeing Jesus clearly for who he truly…
Today in the Spirit: Epiphany 1A
Prepositions are important in the Book of Common Prayer. One change in the BCP 2019 that can easily go unnoticed is the designation Sundays “of Epiphany” in the new book compared with Sundays “after Epiphany” or “after the Epiphany” in earlier versions. What does the new title communicate? One response is that the Epiphany (the…
The Liturgical Home: Christmas Day
After the long weeks of Advent, of intentional waiting, fasting, prayer, and preparation, the great Feast of the Nativity is finally here.
O Rex Gentium: O King of the Nations
Traditional Antiphon O King of the nations, and their desire, The Cornerstone making both one: Come and save the human race, which you fashioned from clay. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel O come, Desire of nations, bindin one the hearts of all mankind;Bid thou our sad divisions cease,And be thyself our King of Peace. It…
O Clavis David: O Key of David
O Clavis David, meaning “O Key of David,” proclaims God’s appointed leadership of Christ Jesus as the fulfillment of the hopes and promises given to the dynasty of King David.
O Adonai: O Lord of Might
The O Antiphons give seven Messianic titles to Jesus. The first title, Wisdom (Sapientia), evokes God’s creation as described in Genesis and Proverbs. The second title, Adonai, derives from the second book of the Bible, Exodus, in which God delivers his people. Traditional Antiphon O Adonai, and leader of the House of Israel, who appeared…
O Sapientia: O Wisdom From On High
In the original O Antiphons, and still to this day on the church calendar, “O Wisdom” was the first of the seven
Hymn Guide: Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending
“Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending” is Charles Wesley’s great hymn on the second coming of Christ, and one of the most majestic congregational songs in the entire repertoire.
Blue is for Beginnings: The Color of Advent
Advent blue recalls for us our Hebrew origins, inspiring us to holiness and hope in the promises of God.
