Category: Updates

Updates

Holy House at Loreto

At The Church of Our Lady of Loretto & St Michael in Musselburgh today the Sunday congregation sang the parish’s own Loreto hymn. Monday 10 December is Our Lady of Loreto which marks the translation in 1294 of the Holy House from Nazareth to Loreto in Italy.  Lovely imagery depicts the Virgin Mary’s house being […]

Leigh Hatts 
Updates

Immaculate Conception

In Paris lights in a window on 8 December often indicated that the occupant was from Lyon. This evening’s mega La Fête des Lumières  light show in Lyon has grown out of the local tradition of placing candles in windows on the Immaculate Conception. The Immaculate Conception doctrine was first developed in Anglo-Saxon England and celebrated […]

Leigh Hatts 
Updates

It’s not Christmas yet! #SLOWCHRISTMAS campaign

Leigh Hatts, author of Keeping Advent & Christmas, is calling on churches and businesses to discover the riches of Advent and not celebrate Christmas too early. “Putting up Christmas trees and decorations before Remembrance Sunday or Black Friday is devaluing Christmas,” says Leigh Hatts. “First comes the Advent season of Old Testament prophesies and expectation […]

Leigh Hatts 
Updates

Advent begins

As dusk falls we are entering Advent. Tonight Advent carol services are starting in Salisbury, Winchester and other darkened  cathedrals lit only by candles. In parish churches Advent wreaths are ready to have their first candle lit in the morning. We are entering a period of reflection on Old Testament prophesies and the coming of […]

Leigh Hatts 
Updates

St Andrew’s Day

St Andrew’s Day today, Friday 30 November, is a special day for many in Amalfi, Istanbul and Patras whilst it’s  a holiday in Romania and Scotland. Andrew, crucified on an X cross, was a John the Baptist follower who introduced Jesus to his brother Peter. O Glorious St Andrew, you were the first to recognise […]

Leigh Hatts 
Updates

Chocolate-free Advent calendars

The original printed paper Advent calendar invented in 1903 did not have a chocolate behind the doors. An experiment with sweets failed in 1908 and chocolates only starting being included during the 1990s. This year the shops are offering calendars costing as much as £79.99,  £85 and even £149.95. These, sometimes containing alcohol along with […]

Leigh Hatts 
Updates

Stir Up Sunday

This Sunday is not the start of Advent or Christmas. It’s Christ the King and the climax of the Christian year. But the the first line of the old 6th-century collect for this Sunday, which some Anglican churches will have as the Post Communion prayer, has led to the popular name Stir Up Sunday. Stir up, […]

Leigh Hatts 
Updates

#SlowChristmas #NotXmasYet

The ‘festive Maltesers McFlurry ‘ is already available in McDonalds where paper bags proclaim ‘Christmas is here’. But it’s not. Last Sunday was the Second Sunday before Advent or the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. Next Sunday is the climax of the Christian year when we celebrate Christ the King. Advent starts in two weeks time. Only […]

Leigh Hatts 
3d book display image of Keeping Advent & Christmas

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