Epiphany

Epiphany, which we celebrate on January 6, marking the beginning of the Epiphany season, is a day and season in which we emphasize light, or more specifically, Jesus, the light of the world. The Epiphany season lasts until the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday, which is in February this year. As the beginning of John’s gospel tells us: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. In him was life and that life was the light of all humankind. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. And the Word became flesh and dwelled among us.

A few favored quotes might shed a little light on the subject:

Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.  

~Chinese Proverb

Light gives of itself freely, filling all available space. It does not seek anything in return; it asks not whether you are friend or foe. It gives of itself and is not thereby diminished. 

~Michael Strassfeld  

The hero is the one who kindles a great light in the world, who sets up blazing torches in the dark streets of life for men to see by. The saint is the man who walks through the dark paths of the world, himself a light. 

 ~Felix Adler   

An age is called "dark," not because the light fails to shine but because people refuse to see it.  

~James Michener

Not only do you become what you think about, but the world also becomes what you think about. Those who think that the world is a dark place are blind to the light that might illuminate their lives. Those who see the light of the world view the dark spots as merely potential light.

~Wayne W. Dyer

Ring the bells that can still ring. Forget your perfect offering. There’s a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.

~Leonard Cohen

Part of my daily prayer comes from the baptismal service: to “bear the light of Christ”. Like the prayer attributed to St. Frances (see BCP p. 833), "…where there is darkness, let us sow light," where do you see darkness and where light - in the world, in yourself? In reflecting the light of Jesus, in bearing the light of Christ, where someone is dehumanized, treat them as if they, just like you, are made in the image and likeness of God; treat them as if they are Christ, himself. Where there is the darkness of contempt, be the light of compassion. Where there is the darkness of isolation, be the light of companionship and community. Where there is the darkness of hate and cruelty, be the light of the love of Christ. On the day and in the season in which we emphasize Jesus, the light of the world, bear the light of Christ: the light that shines in the darkness that the darkness will not overcome.

 

Marc+

Dear friends,

December 20 is the fourth and final Sunday of Advent.  This liturgical season of waiting is almost over.  Christmas will be here in just a few days.  Come, thou long expected Jesus, indeed!  Our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry reminds us in his Christmas message this year that we Christians are called to proclaim joy to the world, even in these troubled times.  Jesus did not come into the world to fix all of the problems we create and suffer through; Jesus came to dwell among us in the midst of our suffering and to save us in spite of ourselves.  That is the source of our joy and the world’s joy.  Thanks be to God!

We celebrate the Incarnation—God’s gift to us of Jesus as a human baby—through prayer and Eucharist and song.  From Christmas Eve through Christmas morning, we are offering four opportunities for you and your family to worship with fellow St. Andrew’s parishioners as we thank God for the gift of Jesus.  I very much hope that you will join us for one, or some, or even all of those services!

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Worship Opportunities

Virtual Christmas Eve Children’s Service:  4:30 PM on December 24

Lovingly crafted for families with children, this short service will include sing-along carols led by Brad Norris; the Christmas story as told by parish families; a brief, child-friendly homily; Holy Eucharist; and candle-lighting.

Outdoor Candle-Lighting Liturgy:  6 PM on December 24

Gather with us on the Main Street sidewalk for a short litany as we pray together, spread the light of Christ from person to person, and receive a Christmas blessing.

Virtual Festive Holy Eucharist:  7:30 PM on December 24

This is our traditional Christmas Eve “late” service, complete with all of the beloved Scripture lessons and filled with special music.

Virtual Christmas Day Service:  10:30 AM on December 25

This will be a meditative and quiet service of Morning Prayer. 

May you, and our suffering world, be blessed anew with the true joy:  recognizing and receiving the gift of Jesus.  I look forward to celebrating the Incarnation with you.

Blessings,

Anne

 

Outdoor Candle-Lighting Liturgy:  6 PM on December 24

All are welcome to attend this service outside the River Road entrance to the church; however, it is limited to 25 people due to current COVID restrictions.  Dress warmly and remember that masks are required.   Please call Bill Wilds (880-5460) to register to attend.   

Good News is Coming

From Isaiah 61:

The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me;

He has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim release to the captives, and release to the prisoners;

To proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor…

I was told a long time ago to read the Bible in terms of what happened to a particular group of people and then see what universal lessons can be drawn.

The Old Testament readings for Advent are all about comforting people in their time of distress – pointing to God’s eventual deliverance.  Now, so many years later, we are also in need of God’s saving grace.  We already have the personification of saving grace – our Savior.  We also need grace and deliverance from our current woes.  May we look to God’s actions in the past and trust that, in God’s mysterious workings, we will eventually be rescued and maybe even learn something.

Brad Norris
Minister of Music