Category: Advent, Christmas & Epiphany
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Dim the Light and Still the Clamor
During a difficult holiday season, I read a devotional by the Rev. Quinn G. Caldwell called “Smoor,” referencing the practice of covering a fire with ashes before bed. He suggested that this banking of the fire might also be a good practice for the spirit in times of grief. This piece is appropriate for a…
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This Time of Darkness Bears a Dream
Advent is a time for dreams: nighttimes filled with angelic visitors, hopes marked by candles lit on the darkest nights, and stark realities disrupted by the powerful words of the prophets. Amidst the political upheavals of 2024, I found refuge in the idea that the widespread breaking down and rebuilding of systems can be necessary…
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Wise Ones Called to Journey On
A new text for the Feast of the Epiphany set to the commonly used tune DIX
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A New Song Sounded in the Night
The original text for THE LINDEN TREE CAROL describes the angel Gabriel bringing news to Mary of Nazareth and then carrying her response back to a company of angels. In this new text, good news takes a journey from angels to shepherds and then out into the world. This familiar story from the gospel of Luke…
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Hark How the Heralds
This text celebrates all the messengers of Advent. It could be used as a Call to Worship or Candle Lighting song during the weeks of Advent and Christmas, with one or more stanzas used each week. It was inspired by the Advent series “Hark! Heralding of our Faith” developed by the liturgical community “This is…
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Praise God Who Lives within You
One of my favorite moments in scripture is when Mary of Nazareth rushes to her kinswoman Elizabeth and the two of them witness and affirm for one another the marvelous things that God is doing in their lives. I was startled to realize how few hymn texts there are to mark this momentous event. This…
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God, Be With Your Weary People
Every year during Advent, we are invited to anticipate Jesus’ arrival among us with joy.
Hannah C Brown 