ON THE COVER: Advent Candlesby Donna M. Cole.

From Inside ML: Advent was once my least favorite season. It seemed a dreary time that seemed to transition poorly into the Christmas season. Despite all the formational work about the unity of the Advent–Christmas season and the care taken to preserve the unique identity of Advent, it never seemed to quite work. Over time, though, efforts to preserve stillness and calm while the “outside” world was all about shopping and carols and Santa Claus began to make a difference. Still, we talk about all the wonderful imagery of darkness and light and of the dynamic tension of the season, but plain old, ordinary tension is what we often get. All of those ideals are wonderful, and I will teach and preach about the depth and richness of our ritual tradition until I draw my last breath, but I’m done taking a stand about things that don’t matter all that much. Purple or blue for Advent? No more fights about that. Let’s just use a rich, deep color that’s distinctive from that of Lent. (I draw the line at red for Christmas, though!) Where do we put the Advent wreath? It seems every parish has a migratory pattern for that. So long as it does not obstruct ritual action, I’m not arguing about that either. It can join the nativity scene in the hunt for the perfect location. (More)

FEATURES

The present: An Adventful time 
Thomas B. Iwanowski 
Advent in this day

Gifts from the altar 
Anne Louise Bannon 
Work of human hands

A requiem for Advent: Balancing the dissonant and consonant tones of Christmastime 
Jean Marie DuHamel 
Finding Advent harmony

Advent 2008: At-home retreat 
Ron Raab 
Advent spirituality

DEPARTMENTS

• Inside ML / Donna M. Cole
• Worship Times / Todd Flowerday
• Liturgy Formation: Advent–Christmas 2008–2009 / Kay Murdy, Matt Reichert
• The Word Alive / Anne Louise Bannon
• Sung Prayer / David Haas
• Keeping the Faith / Leisa Anslinger
• At the Table of the Word / Bruce Janiga
• Moving Rite Along / Ada Simpson
• Reviews
• Bridge Work / Ron Raab
• Bulletin Insert: Alpha and Omega / Paul Turner

Bulletin Insert: Manger / Paul Turner

For more bulletin insert resources, try the Index of Bulletin Inserts

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