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Encircling the Christian Year: Liturgies and reflections for the seasons of the Church
The seasons of the Church's year parallel those of the natural world, gifting us with opportunities for spiritual life and growth. The watchfulness of Advent with its symbolism of light and darkness gives way to the explosion of joy as we welcome the birth of Christ; the sombre season of Lent leads us through the despair of the cross to the wonder and joy of Easter. But our journey into God is far more than a succession of spiritual high points, and perhaps the weeks of 'Ordinary Time' encourage us to persist in our walk with Christ during those times when nothing much seems to be happening.
Beginning with Advent Sunday, Encircling the Christian Year presents a series of short liturgies for each week of the Church calendar, including a Bible reading, reflection, and prayers, suitable for both individual and small group use. Special liturgies are also provided for the major festivals and 'red letter days', those saints and events most closely connected with the life of Christ. As well as engaging with the liturgical seasons, the book invites us to deeper prayer; to grow in our relationship with the God who loves us and accompanies us through all the seasons of our lives.
Includes an index of Bible passages to enable you to easily find liturgies and reflections based on specific Bible passages.
Foreword
We have almost forgotten, in our day-to-day life, what it is like to live by patterns and rhythms that come not by choice but by the nature of the reality we live in. When we can buy any fruit and vegetables at any time of the year, irrespective of the season where we actually live; when we can regulate the temperature in our homes so that we can wear T-shirts in winter and fur in summer, then it is easy to lose touch with the grace of the patterns of life. The Christian year re-embeds us in a bigger reality. As we follow the seasons of God's saving work, we rediscover that we are, as Genesis calls us, part of the generations of the heavens and the earth, part of the creative and transforming pattern of God's activity. Barbara Mosse's book encourages us to take the time to find again a rhythm of life that becomes as natural as a heartbeat, as the rising of the sun, the waxing and waning of the moon, the dying and living of Jesus Christ. This rhythm helps us to remember who we are, through leading us back to rest in God our maker.
Jane Williams
St Mellitus College
Beginning with Advent Sunday, Encircling the Christian Year presents a series of short liturgies for each week of the Church calendar, including a Bible reading, reflection, and prayers, suitable for both individual and small group use. Special liturgies are also provided for the major festivals and 'red letter days', those saints and events most closely connected with the life of Christ. As well as engaging with the liturgical seasons, the book invites us to deeper prayer; to grow in our relationship with the God who loves us and accompanies us through all the seasons of our lives.
Includes an index of Bible passages to enable you to easily find liturgies and reflections based on specific Bible passages.
Foreword
We have almost forgotten, in our day-to-day life, what it is like to live by patterns and rhythms that come not by choice but by the nature of the reality we live in. When we can buy any fruit and vegetables at any time of the year, irrespective of the season where we actually live; when we can regulate the temperature in our homes so that we can wear T-shirts in winter and fur in summer, then it is easy to lose touch with the grace of the patterns of life. The Christian year re-embeds us in a bigger reality. As we follow the seasons of God's saving work, we rediscover that we are, as Genesis calls us, part of the generations of the heavens and the earth, part of the creative and transforming pattern of God's activity. Barbara Mosse's book encourages us to take the time to find again a rhythm of life that becomes as natural as a heartbeat, as the rising of the sun, the waxing and waning of the moon, the dying and living of Jesus Christ. This rhythm helps us to remember who we are, through leading us back to rest in God our maker.
Jane Williams
St Mellitus College
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 19, 2012
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