December Grace Notes
Dec 01, 2009
Advent is the official beginning of the new Church year in a similar way in which January is the beginning of each new calendar year. We begin the church year by watching and waiting for Christ. True enough, Christ’s birth was 2,000 years ago, but he still lives today and each year during Advent season we prepare to welcome him anew into our hearts and lives during the Christmas season as Emanuel—God with us!
We begin the countdown to Christmas Day on the first Sunday in Advent on November 29th and inaugurate the Christmas Season with our Christmas Eve services on December 24th. This year we will continue the tradition of the family Christmas Eve service/Children’s Eucharist at 5:30 p.m. and will resume our celebration with a service of Christmas carols at 8:30 p.m. as the beginning of our Christmas Eve Vigil Eucharist at 9:00 p.m. We will then gather again for Holy Eucharist on Christmas morning at 10:00 a.m.
It is very appropriate that Eucharist (of Greek derivation) means thanksgiving, for at this time of year, above all else, our sole intention is to give thanks to God for the gift of love in Jesus Christ his Son. During Advent, watch and wait expectantly, so that you will be ready to welcome the Lord when he comes at Christmastide!
Grace & Peace,
Fr. Rod+
We begin the countdown to Christmas Day on the first Sunday in Advent on November 29th and inaugurate the Christmas Season with our Christmas Eve services on December 24th. This year we will continue the tradition of the family Christmas Eve service/Children’s Eucharist at 5:30 p.m. and will resume our celebration with a service of Christmas carols at 8:30 p.m. as the beginning of our Christmas Eve Vigil Eucharist at 9:00 p.m. We will then gather again for Holy Eucharist on Christmas morning at 10:00 a.m.
It is very appropriate that Eucharist (of Greek derivation) means thanksgiving, for at this time of year, above all else, our sole intention is to give thanks to God for the gift of love in Jesus Christ his Son. During Advent, watch and wait expectantly, so that you will be ready to welcome the Lord when he comes at Christmastide!
Grace & Peace,
Fr. Rod+