“Sacred Celebrations for Advent & Christmas : Year B” 
The theme for Advent and Christmas: Year B is “Voice that challenge and inspire”. Advent is a time of waiting and preparation. The central symbol of the empty crib reinforces this time of anticipation and expectation. It reminds us of our inner yearnings which touch deeply the reality of who we are. The empty manger challenges us to ask: Where do we find Christ? Is Christ truly present in our lives or is there something missing?
The empty crib also speaks of the challenge and inspiration of the incarnation, of bringing Christ to a world which views gospel values as counter-cultural. During this Advent we focus on voices that both challenge and inspire us and our world and our church.
Each week calls us to reflect on a different challenge:
Week 1: The challenge of HOPE
Week 2: The challenge of PROPHECY
Week 3: The challenge of WITNESS
Week 4: The challenge of INCARNATION.
As for Year A, the Year B Advent liturgies are based on the Lectionary readings. For each week in Advent there is a liturgy for adults, and two prayer rituals for children - one for children aged 4-8 years and one for children aged 9-12 years. These rituals are based on the format of Liturgy of the Word and are a wonderful resource for schools and parishes.
Christmas celebrations include a Liturgy for Midnight Mass and one for Christmas day.
For the children, there are two short plays based on the story of the Annunciation; a very interesting and imaginative conversation between Jesus and Santa as well as a Christmas interview with Matthew and Luke and finally, “Behind the Views: What challenges and inspires you about an empty crib?”
Jim Cosgrove again, has written special songs to highlight the themes of Year B. The words and music are included in the book. The music: “Songs of Hope and Harmony ” is available from Jim Cosgrove. Fax (07) 3272 1630