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Category Archives: Advent
Candle Names
It was a few years ago that the phenomenon of naming the Advent candles came to my awareness. I used to think it was simple: first Sunday, second Sunday, etc.. Apparently, peace, joy, hope, and love are a thing. I … Continue reading
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Advent Lectionary: Isaiah 63:16b-17
The Lectionary framers stitched together pieces of Isaiah to lead out the first reading of Advent in cycle B. This opening plea stood out for me: You, LORD, are our father, our redeemer you are named forever. Why do you … Continue reading
Posted in Advent, Art, Liturgical Music, Scripture
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Five-Sevenths
In the US, the proximity of Thanksgiving Day to Advent is a given. Five out of seven years, my Wednesday or Thursday choir practice gets absorbed into holiday festivities. As it should. What is left can be a slightly rough-around-the-edges … Continue reading
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O
O The season of Advent shifts to stage two, and a set of antiphons take a certain pride of place. These are likely the most well-known and expected of their genre in the Catholic liturgy. The letter that identifies them … Continue reading
Setting The Seasons Straight
I found a comment linking to an old blog post that sort of plants a flag on one of the hills in the #waronchristmas: In general terms, I recommend that “happy holidays” be used in general before Thankgiving, after which we … Continue reading
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The Armchair Liturgist: Blessing The Advent Wreath
Like it or not, nearly every parish seems to have an Advent wreath. Homes, not so much. The US bishops give this home ritual, in case you and your household are sticklers about it. If you’d like something special for … Continue reading
Posted in Advent, The Armchair Liturgist
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December Colors
One of the seasonal tussles of which we see less in some circles thanks to the war on the war on Christmas is over the proper colors for decorations. As most every Catholic knows, before December 24th evening the right … Continue reading
Merton on Human Ambiguity
In his time with us here at Catholic Sensibility, Neil had some real gems to offer. I still return to his posts occasionally. Sometimes they come up as I search through our archives. Scanning these on the occasion of Thomas Merton’s … Continue reading
Star Dawn
In a liturgy/music/astronomy/science fiction mash-up, I’d like to nominate Alan Hovhaness’ mini-symphony “Star Dawn” for your December listening experience. From the review at a tribute site for the composer: In this work evoking space travel, bells symbolize the stars, flowing … Continue reading
Posted in Advent, Music, science fiction
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Exile Symphony
Some Advent music to consider, the First Symphony of Alan Hovhaness. The first movement is here by the Seattle Symphony, a more sympathetic recording than Leopold Stokowski’s 1942 version with the NBC Orchestra. From that link you can get to … Continue reading
Posted in Advent, Music
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Advent, Always
The 20th century French Jesuit Jean Daniélou on this season: We live always during Advent. We are always waiting for the messiah to come. The messiah has come, but is not yet fully manifest. The messiah is not fully manifest … Continue reading
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Mary/Christmas Mash-Ups
It’s holiday time. Mainstream religious (or spiritual) humanity can’t seem to get away from sweets, be it in the goodies we consume or the music we utilize (listening or singing). The Blessed Mother seems a particular target for treacle in … Continue reading
Posted in Advent, Christmas, Music
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Advent Decorating
Discussion here on the clash of various Advent purples. Maybe part of the problem is trying to match up paraments and other such things with vestments. The only “requirement” for purple is for clergy wear. Not church decorations, necessarily. Having a … Continue reading
The War On The War On Christmas
I have a facebook friend who thinks the War on Christmas is largely a fake these days. In the past, some conservatives took it upon themselves to make a personal fight in the season. But now, it’s mainly the liberals … Continue reading
Catholic Sensibility 
New Year, New Color
Casual visitors will note it looks different here. The season of violet tinged with rose (December 15th) and white (the 8th and 12th) has arrived. And maybe there’s a bit of blue. Vestments have required colors, but I’ll decorate as … Continue reading →