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Category Archives: Advent
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
The Armchair Liturgist Dims The Lights
Long before I arrived, my parish was accustomed to dimming the lights for the start of weekend Advent liturgies. It’s a custom I’ve felt disinclined to discontinue. Music for the introductory rites is always something for which people need no … Continue reading
Posted in Advent, The Armchair Liturgist
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Advent Music: My Soul In Stillness Waits
I mentioned this song ten years ago today. I mentioned then that I wish Marty Haugen had set or adapted all of the O Antiphons instead of just four of them. The piece is well over thirty years old now, … Continue reading
Checking Up On Secular Christmas
I haven’t been in the car much this week, but I did hear five Christmas songs on the way to lunch with my wife the other day. The Lord was mentioned explicitly in two of them. So the Jesus percentage … Continue reading
Posted in Advent, Christmas, Music
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Advent Music: E’en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come
If I were still directing an active ensemble of musicians and singers, I’d really want to program E’en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come. When I first heard this piece arranged and performed by the Modern Mandolin Quartet, I assumed it … Continue reading
Advent Lectionary: Luke 1:78-79
Most Catholics that go to Mass on Christmas Eve are not going for the Mass for December 24th. Many of those who do will enjoy the end of Luke’s first chapter, the canticle of the priest Zechariah. I love the … Continue reading
Advent Music: “Legends of St Nicholas”
I suppose I could have posted this a week ago Thursday. But the observance of Saint Nicholas is entwined with Advent and Christmas both, so I’m sure it’s not that much of a problem to suggest giving Anonymous 4 a … Continue reading
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Lucy, Friendly Star
Lucy is the only (major, canonized) martyr of Advent. Her feast lands in the middle of the season, which may be a caution to us believers accustomed to quiet waiting and economic frivolity. At the heart of waiting and preparation is … Continue reading
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Advent Music: Alma Redemptoris Mater
Alma Redemptoris Mater, quae pervia caeli Porta manes, et stella maris, succurre cadenti, Surgere qui curat, populo: tu quae genuisti, Natura mirante, tuum sanctum Genitorem Virgo prius ac posterius, Gabrielis ab ore Sumens illud Ave, peccatorum miserere. Two versions. First, … Continue reading
Posted in Advent, Liturgical Music, Music
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Advent Lectionary: Judith 13:18-19
Judith makes a rare Lectionary appearance Wednesday this week for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. If you want my opinion, I think the Lectionary framers were scared spitless of Judith. They probably still are. R. (15:9d) You are … Continue reading
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Advent Lectionary: Isaiah 26:1-6
One of our students was sharing his new “favorite” Old Testament canticle. As he was describing the “horn of salvation” and God our “rock,” and the raising of the hungry, the barren, and the needy, I asked, “Hannah’s Canticle?” Yes! … Continue reading
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Advent Lectionary: The Cosmology of Psalm 72
The psalm for Advent’s first Tuesday is the 72nd. It appears prominently on Epiphany, but we get a daytime preview of it on the third Mass of Advent. What do you make of the cosmology implied in verse 7? Justice … Continue reading
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Advent Music: “Celestial Gate”
Luke Hill at dotCommonweal makes a case for a very wide musical Advent/Christmas. I can’t refute it. At my house, there is considerable variety in listening tastes as well as film viewing (Christmases in Connecticut, Canaan, and lots of other … Continue reading
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Catholic Sensibility 
WoC: The Saint Nicholas Perspective
It’s the 6th of December and it’s the feast day of one of our favorite seasonal saints. I listened to a few more holiday stations while transporting the young miss to school today. This week’s radio count now stands at … Continue reading →