Updates – Page 18 – Advent to Easter

Candlemas: 2 February

Candlemas today is the final day we enjoy Christmas in real time as we note Mary and Joseph leaving Bethlehem with Baby Jesus to go up to the Temple in Jerusalem. The name Candlemas is appropriate for we say that Jesus is the Light of the World. Today’s candle procession in church, representing Christ being […]

Leigh Hatts 7 years agoOctober 29, 2023

Updates

Still Christmas

As we approach Candlemas on Friday 2 February we should remember that it is still Christmas. The Holy Family has not yet left Bethlehem. They leave on Friday by way of Jerusalem. The Crib is still in church. In some homes and even public places there are signs of an authentic slow Christmas. La Couronne […]

Leigh Hatts 7 years agoOctober 29, 2023

Updates

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity highlights

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity which ends tomorrow 25 January has seen many services and gatherings where Christians have prayed for and talked about unity. New film Last Friday a film about Chevetogne was launched at Farm Street Church in London’s Mayfair. May They all be One is a 52 minute documentary made […]

Leigh Hatts 7 years agoOctober 29, 2023

Updates

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2018

From today Thursday 18 January until St Paul’s Day on Thursday 25 January Christians are both praying for the unity of churches and sharing services and social events. The idea of the annual prayer for unity came in 1907 from Spencer Jones, the Rector of St David’s Moreton -in-Marsh in Gloucestershire, and was suggested as […]

Leigh Hatts 7 years agoOctober 29, 2023

Updates

Plough or Lost Monday: Back to work

Today, the Monday after The Epiphany, is known as Plough Monday since it was the day workers returned to the land after the twelve day Christmas holiday. They did so slowly by spending this first working day dressing up and touring around villages collecting money. Some of this went to the parish church. In Belgium […]

Leigh Hatts 7 years agoOctober 29, 2023

Updates

Sunday 7 January: What day is it?

What is today? The Epiphany, Baptism Sunday or Plough Sunday? This time Advent and Christmas has been difficult to follow with so many special days falling unusually on a Sunday. Now The Epiphany was yesterday which was a Saturday. This caused the Roman Catholic Church and some Anglican Churches to postpone observing The Epiphany to […]

Leigh Hatts 7 years agoOctober 29, 2023

Updates

The Epiphany: 6 January

Today we recall the Three Kings arriving to see the Christ Child in Bethlehem. By tradition they are said to come with their gifts from different lands and so represent the first showing of Jesus to non-Jews. Further manifestations of Christ came thirty years later including Christ’s baptism. Some churches will remember the Baptism on […]

Leigh Hatts 7 years agoOctober 29, 2023

Updates

Twelfth Night: 12th Day of Christmas

Today is the 12th Day of Christmas. Tonight is Twelfth Night for many, especially abroad, although by old tradition the evening of tomorrow 6 January is often also known as Twelfth Night. In Spain this evening, the eve of The Epiphany, there will be street processions involving Three Kings and at home much sharing of […]

Leigh Hatts 7 years agoOctober 29, 2023

Updates

Most Holy Name of Jesus: 10th Day of Christmas

Today on the 10th Day of Christmas there is the optional designation of the Most Holy Name of Jesus. This recalls the naming and circumcision of Jesus which was once more widely kept on New Year’s Day which was right if we follow real time. The 8th day after a birth was the time of […]

Leigh Hatts 7 years agoOctober 29, 2023

Updates

New Year’s Day: 8th Day of Christmas

New Year’s Day is marked by the Solemnity of Mary and World Day of Prayer for Peace. So today, the 8th Day of Christmas and the first day of 2018, is dedicated to Jesus’ Mother. Pope Francis has chosen as this year’s Peace theme: Migrants and refugees: men and women in search of peace. Many […]

Leigh Hatts 7 years agoOctober 29, 2023