Three things I’m into for Advent

We’re just ten days from the start of Advent, and many of us who try to observe the liturgical season are already apprehensive about resisting the temptation to follow the crowd right into Christmas long before sunset December 24. With that in mind I’m sharing with you a few items I’m looking forward to keeping with me on the Advent path. I hope that they’ll be helpful to you as well.

Advent at Ephesus

My unscientific evaluation of the music market proves that the number of Advent CDs each year is inversely proportional to the number of Christmas CDs: in other words, there are rarely very many.

Last year I won Advent at Ephesus by the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles from Sarah at Snoring Scholar. Since it didn’t come in the mail until mid-January, I delayed having a listen until recently. Both the programming and the production on this collection are perfect. The repertoire ranges from ancient to medieval, chants to motets, and the recording isn’t so over-produced that you forget that you’re listening to the voices of real humans.

In short, this album is exquisite. If you’re not willing to take my word for it, preview their recording of O Come O Come Emmanuel, and I’m sure you’ll be just as eager to hear their interpretations of less familiar repertoire after.

Baby Jesus Blog: An Advent Study

I was able to preview some of the material for the Baby Jesus Blog that will run on Elizabeth Hagan‘s blog throughout Advent. Subtitled “An ecumenical conversation among men and women who have waited and are waiting for babies”, this series counts among its contributors Dayna Olson-Getty, Beth Dotson, Ed Cyzewski, Joe Hensley, Sarah Jobe, and Hagan (Jobe and Hagan are the editors).

These posts draw us in to the waiting inherent in the season of Advent. Though I’m not in a state of life in which I am waiting for a baby of my own, I was glad to read these reflections on expectation and I encourage you to visit ElizabethHagan.com during Advent.

 
Sacred Space for Advent and the Christmas Season 2013-2014

The Sacred Space series has become a very important part of my Lent in the last five years, and this year I am welcoming those Irish Jesuits and their reflections into my Advent as well. What can I say about this series other than that it never disappoints? Grounded in Scripture and Ignatian Spirituality, the prayer for each day is brief but enriching, and perfect for a busy person who nevertheless craves some sacred space.

How will you be keeping this Advent?

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