Dear friends,
As you may know, I am a big fan of the comics section of the newspaper. Recently the Family Circus strip showed the Dad stringing Christmas lights outdoors as little Billy says to him, “Christmas lights up the world, doesn’t it, Daddy?” Indeed it does.
‘Tis the season for Christmas lights, twinkling and brightening houses and neighborhoods. They make me smile when I drive anywhere on a cold, dark evening. But the way that Christmas lights up the world isn’t really about bright holiday bulbs. It’s about the Son of God coming into our world to be with us, taking on flesh to dwell among us—even and especially in the darkest places of our lives and of the world. As we hear in the prologue to the Gospel of John, What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
Jesus was born in a dark time, the child of poor parents unable to find lodging in the midst of their long and uncomfortable journey to meet the stringent tax regulations of their oppressor, the Roman Empire. That first Christmas had no cheery flashing lights and tinsel-covered trees; no candy canes or reindeer, no eggnog or fancily wrapped gifts. It had none of the trappings that we tend to associate with Christmas. They weren’t needed. What makes Christmas Christmas is the simple, stunning birth of the baby Jesus, God incarnate and man divine, the light of the world then and now and always.
I look forward to celebrating with you the coming of the light of the world; and I very much hope that you will take part in one or more of our upcoming Christmas services:
- Christmas Eve Family Service, December 24 at 3:00 PM with Children’s Pageant, Children’s Homily, and Candle-lighting
- Christmas Eve Festive Eucharist, December 24 at 8:30 PM with Special Music and Candle-lighting. (Christmas music by the choir and bellringers will begin at 8:00 AM)
- Christmas Day Eucharist, December 25 at 10:30 AM
- Service of Lessons and Carols, Sunday, December 29 at 10:30 AM
As is customary here at St. Andrew’s, there will be a special Christmas offering again this year. Christmas offering envelopes will be available in the church beginning this Sunday. You may also give online by clicking here.
Friends, in the coming days I pray that you will indeed experience the way that Christ’s birth lights up the world, even the darkest corners. May you never forget that the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not, cannot, and will not overcome it.
Blessings of light and life to each of you. –Anne
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