Awareness of the liturgical seasons of the year has increased greatly in recent years, as the popularity of the -Common Worship Times and Seasons- volume has illustrated. Churches are constantly looking for ways to enrich their seasonal celebrations, and the first point of better celebration is better understanding. Of all the seasons, Advent is the least understood, the least studied. An entirely Western phenomenon without much of a preaching or liturgical tradition, it is characterised as much by its folk customs - the advent wreath and the Feast of St Nicholas - as by its biblical themes....

The Eucharist is central to Christian worship throughout the world. Jesus only left two commandments - to love God and our neighbour, and to share bread and wine in remembrance of him. It is a sacrament rich in symbol and image that takes everyday items and infuses them with spiritual meaning. In this short, reflective companion, Kenneth Stevenson explores some of the Eucharist's many layers of meaning - as sacrifice, memorial, sustenance for the Christian journey, sign of the new creation, anticipation of the heavenly feast - and more. As a basic guide, he uses the Gospel of Luke in which...

This informative and inspirational guide to the principal festivals and major holy days of the Christian year is essential reading for all those with responsibility for planning or leading worship. Exploring the biblical readings and prayers for forty principal festivals and holy days, and tracing their liturgical and historical development through the centuries, All the Company of Heaven brings alive many treasures from our Christian past and offers creative suggestions for celebrating these festivals today.

The receiving and handing on of Christian tradition always entails adaptation and re-configuration for the reception to be useful. These essays exemplify many facets of this 'handing on', from the Lord's Prayer, through sermons on and expositions of the Transfiguration, to the contributions of divines from Peter Chrysologus to Lancelot Andrewes and Michael Ramsey. In Kenneth Stevenson's words, they show 'worship and theology living at ease' - words that also encapsulate his own life and work in Church and academy.' Bryan D. Spinks, Goddard Professor of Liturgical Studies and Pastoral Theology...