Reflections on the cycle of the year from a Western Orthodox perspective.

Less musing and more 'how-to.' Although the book is written for Roman Catholics, much of the information about traditional customs and the suggestions for home observances would be of interest to non-Catholics as well.

This book was intended for use in Catholic schools, but don't let that turn you off - it is a goldmine of information about the pagan roots of many Christian customs, with insightful explorations of what they mean for us today. Many creative suggestions for crafts, decor & classroom observance, which can easily be adapted for the home. Great 'hands-on' religious activities for all year round.

The emphasis here is on devising appropriate decorations for churches, but the suggested color schemes & motifs can be adapted for home use as well. I haven't read this book, but if it's as good as Peter Mazar's other books, it must be terrific.

Crafts projects and activities for children encourage creativity and a sense of wonder about the natural world. This Waldorf book is not slick or glitzy but is full of warmth and old-fashioned charm; includes a surprising amount of information about old European folk customs and traditions.

COOK your way around the year with a generous collection of recipes and lore connected to traditional holy day observances.

Really, you would NOT want to try any of these 'suggested activities' at home! You'd get arrested. But in between the sick jokes (which probably won't appeal to anybody who wasn't warped by Catholic school), there actually is quite a bit of historical background about traditional feast days. Catholics with a twisted sense of humor will adore this book; non-Catholics will just say 'Huh?'

This picturebook includes everything kids need to know to celebrate the feast day of a Christian heroine who is especially beloved in Scandinavia. I had to include this because my niece and nephew are part Swedish. :) Besides, any holiday where it's traditional for kids to serve their parents breakfast in bed deserves to be better known.

For some reason, Mary Magdalene is usually given short shrift in books about the Christian year. This book fills the gap with a whole chapter of ideas for celebrating her feast day.

Written by a neopagan and intended for a neopagan audience, but it also includes information about Candlemas and the feasts of St Bridget and St Blasius that I haven't seen anywhere else, including instructions for hands-on activities such as making your own St Bridget's cross.