So the thing is you pick people who have influenced you over the year, inspired you, encouraged you, made you think. And of course these lists are most useful if they are people who may not be known in the the circles you move in.

And are not your bessie m's.

So here are three:

Broderick Greer

seminarian | Beyoncé | liberation | politics | theology | 3/5 | pop culture | bow ties | slavery | liturgy | justice

Broderick is completing an M.Div Virginia Theological Seminary, and writes with theological, personal and spiritual insight. His work can be found on Huff Post.

"And on the heels of their jubilation, I walked to the site of Michael's death. There, leading up to our Golgotha, was a line of dead roses, telling signs of a life lost prematurely. And I stood there -- I stand here -- with a tumultuous stream of questions: read more

If you haven't read the Green Report you have probably read something about it. The report suggests a more focused approach to senior appointments, including a talent pool of 150 bright sparks who will be given extra management & leadership training.

This post is from the Archives. 

Gaudete, gaudete! Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine, gaudete!

Rejoice, rejoice! Christ is born
Of the Virgin Mary — rejoice!

The time of grace has come—
This that we have desired,
Verses of joy
Let us devoutly return.

God has become man,
To the wonderment of Nature,
The world has been renewed
By the reigning Christ.

The closed gate of Ezekiel
Is passed through,
Whence the light is born,
Salvation is found.

Therefore let our gathering
Now sing in brightness
Let it give praise to the Lord:
Greeting to our King.

Gaudete C16th

As our Advent journey draws to a close, as we come to the cusp of the Christ Mass, our thoughts turn to Mary. The ark of the new covenant, mother to beloved disciples, mother of God, queen of heaven, or simply the greatest Christian who ever lived. The language Christians us to speak of this remarkable young teenage girl who carried God incarnate within herself, magnifying the lord in her very flesh, has varied through the centuries.