Our theme for this first Urban Hymnal service is "The longest night of the year," a concept found in the Celtic tradition (you may know the Over the Rhine album of similar name). We liked the sound of it as it spoke towards some of the ache and darkness of waiting. Of course, those in the Southern Hemisphere will be observing Advent on the shortest night of the year--I wonder how this affects the mood of Advent as the sun shines its brightest and ice tea is the drink de jour.

And I've posted an instrumental piece on the Urban Hymnal website that we may be performing. It is the same piece I performed at the Mars Hill Grad School Fall retreat for those of you who were in attendance. Word has it that KSER will be spinning "Sophia" this Friday evening.