A traditional refrain during advent comes from the “O Antiphons:” O come, O come Emmanuel… . The names of Jesus in this ancient hymn remind us of the protection and salvation of God as it unfolds in history. The gospel song “Listen to the Lambs” echoes this longing...
Every fall, the publishers promote a new batch of Advent devotionals. Even though I have a few books that I come back to each year, I look forward to these new offerings. One that recently caught my eye is called Rise Up Shepherd!: Advent Reflections on the...
“I Believe.” These two small words make all the difference. On Christ the King Sunday, as we speak together the Apostles’ or Nicene Creed, we affirm our allegiance to the Holy King. Not to the rulers of this world, not to the idols that so insidiously call for our...
As we wind our way toward the end of the liturgical year, and the end of our tour of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s 2013 Signature Series broadcasts, we have come to the key of E flat major. E flat major is the key of heroes. Inspiring, courageous, gritty,...
This is the second-last week of music inspired by the CBC’s Signature Series: a collection of stories told about music in different keys. Pietropaolo, the producer of this series, calls G major the Trusty Sidekick, and identifies Samwise Gamgee as an example of the...
This week’s Signature Series key is F major: The Perfect Companion. Today in worship we remembered saints, both gone and in our midst. We spoke of companionship and camaraderie, mutuality and mentorship, sorrow and joy. We lit candles and listened as the bell tolled....
