ON THE COVER: "Archangel Paper-cut" by Nancy Chinn. Paper lace on painted paper. Commissioned by the 1997 Montreat Conferences on Worship and Music.

From Inside ML: Every year we bemoan the commercialism of the secular Christmas season, which starts earlier each year. Last year in my home state of New Jersey, it began before Halloween. I thought it might threaten Labor Day this year, but some stores had Christmas-in-July sales right in the middle of summer. With such focus on the "things" of Christmas, no wonder we struggle to find peace in an Advent that has all the outward calm of a runaway train. Celebrating the Christmas season definitely feels countercultural. Before we've finished the octave of Christmas, gifts have been returned and trees hauled to the curb. There's not a seasonal song to be heard anywhere beyond church doors. Holding on to our Christmas joy seems almost impossible. In fact, it really is impossible if we celebrate it as an isolated moment in time without centering it in the liturgical year. (More)

FEATURES

Advent: Rite at home 
Todd Flowerday 
Advent traditions

O night divine: Meeting the challenges of the Christmas season 
Joni Woelfel 
A spirituality of light

The Christmas Family Mass: Liturgical zoo or pastoral goldmine? 
Paige Byrne Shortal 
A divine opportunity

The color of Christmas 
Helen Keating 
Rethinking the environment

DEPARTMENTS

Inside ML / Donna M. Cole
Worship Times / Todd Flowerday
Liturgy Formation
Liturgical Spirituality: Advent–Christmas 2009–2010 / Kay Murdy 
Ritual Foundations: Sign of Peace / Darren M. Henson
The Word Alive / Anne Louise Bannon
Sung Prayer / David Haas
Keeping the Faith / Leisa Anslinger
Moving Rite Along / Ada Simpson
At the Table of the Word / Bruce Janiga
Sacred Space / Mary Patricia Storms
Bridge Work / Ron Raab
Bulletin Insert: Holy, Holy, Holy / Paul Turner

Bulletin Insert: Embolism / Paul Turner

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