Here is a poem by Mary Karr, suggested by Rhonda for contemplation this week. It’s the perfect antidote to those toomany sweets!

Forget “Merry Christmas” – a more appropriate holiday greeting is “Be not afraid” (perhaps the response could be “Thank you. Nor you”)  Not only would this better capture the tone of the Christmas story, echoing the angel’s greetings to Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds, it would better address the emotional...

The shepherds sing; and shall I silent be? My God, no hymn for Thee? The beginning of this Christmas poem by George Herbert is a call to join in the joyful worship of our new-born Saviour and with “all our powers out-sing the daylight hours.” We are so lucky here...

Pray the O Antiphons in or with the church each evening beginning December 17. This evocative collection of images and names of the God who comes to save dates back to at least the 8th century.  Here are links to the introduction and text in Common Worship (see p. 58), and a video...

Beth Adams gave this talk on December 9, 2014. Recently I read an interview with the writer Herta Müller, winner of the 2009 Nobel prize for literature. She was born in 1953, and grew up in a small German-speaking town that had become part of Romania after the end of...

Cathedrals are growing – and Christ Church Cathedral is growing too.    “Cathedrals offer place of peace and prayer in busy lives”  And many people do love Christ Church Cathedral – for many and diverse reasons. Some have family connections here going back over generations. Some love the simple spirituality...

When I think of celebrating Christmas I think of lights and music. We have an abundance of both at the Cathedral, starting with the Sing-Along Messiah this Saturday at 4:30. Come to sing or come to listen while Patrick Wedd conducts well-known soloists, a skilled orchestra of McGill music students...

The joy of giving (and the misery of stinginess) is celebrated in sentimental stories like A Christmas Carol and Gift of the Magi, and reflected upon in sermons and yes, our Wardens’ recent Christmas letter, too. At this time of year it is traditional to review what we give for...

Beth Adams, who leads Contemplative Prayer twice a month, reflects in this essay (adapted from her remarks preceding the meditation on November 25) about the setting and the changes the seasons bring.  Everyone is welcome to explore different varieties of contemplative prayer, Tuesdays at 5:45 in the Cathedral.  

Lorsque je pense à l’Avent, l’image d’un pèlerinage me vient souvent en tête. Nous marchons vers Bethléem, vers cet enfant-Dieu si longtemps désiré. En cette courte période d’attente et d’espoir—seulement quatre semaines—nous devons nous préparer à l’accueillir, un peu comme de nouveaux parents qui attendent impatiemment l’arrivée de leur nouveau-né....

Saturday 6th December 4:30pm « Dans la lune de l’hiver  – Musique pour la saison». A celebration of seasonal music, presented by members and friends of the cathedral, including special guests Lucie Mayer & Soleil Dion (Vocal 4 Venture),  the horn quartet ‘CORtet’ with James Roberts, Shayna Palevsky & Jonathan...

by Rhonda Waters, Associate Priest Advent is my favourite season of the church year. I love the themes of hope and light, the way the promise of Christ and the promise of the Kingdom intertwine, the way that past becomes present becomes future. Perhaps most of all, I love the...