Welcome . . . Last update - January 4, 2025
Clerestory Notes features original musical and textual resources and reflections for worship planners, liturgists, and individuals, and is a gathering space for anyone interested in these things and in contemplating the intersections of worship, liturgy, faith, and culture.
The Season of Christmastide --
Happy, Blessed Christmas!
Christmastide is the second season of the Christian
year, and the second of the three short seasons that,
together with Advent and Epiphany, make up "The
Season of Light." In this Christmas season, we enter
fully into the worship and celebration of the first
coming of Christ, and we continue to await -- even
as we embrace the exuberant praise of the familiar
carols and songs -- His still-to-come Second Advent.
And we continue to ponder what Bernard of Clair-
veaux has called Christ's third Advent, His coming
into our lives and dwelling with us as Emmanuel.
This very short season -- which comprises the
Twelve Days of Christmas (between Christmas
Day and the Epiphany of the Lord) -- contains only
two Sundays.
Resources for the Seaon of Light --
Liturgies, reflections, readings, music suggestions,
prayers, and more are here to aid in worship
preparation, individual devotions, and contemplation
as we celebrate the first coming of the Word made
flesh.
The Music Room
Hymn settings, songs, sung liturgical texts, settings and compositions for special days and seasons in the Christian year, along with helpful commentary and suggestions about the texts, musical scores, usage, and performance tips.
Readings, litanies, and prayers related to and drawn from the revised common lectionary and situated within the season of the liturgical year, with music, song set and worship space suggestions.
Featured Liturgy
Liturgy Highlights
Second Sunday of Christmastide
The Resource Center
Study materials for individuals and groups, articles, worship service planning materials, creative suggestions and examples for seasonal and special services, and information on retreats, workshops, seminars and podcasts.
Featured Audio Podcast
Reflections
Commentaries and contemplations on the connections between living a life of worship and engaging the culture around us.
