What to Expect at Christmas
To state the obvious, Advent and Christmas are going to look a little different this year…just like everything else we have done since March. That said, like so many other parts of our shared life of faith in 2020, our amazing leadership has adjusted and approached this season with an eye for possibility and a heart of determination. We will continue to hold everyone’s safety as a top priority while focusing on the Good News of God’s grace and love that is at the heart of this holy season.
First though, I want to make sure you know we are still caring for our neighbors through our Giving Tree this year, albeit virtually. You will find the information below. If you purchase a gift it will be delivered by Holy Spirit parishioners, so all gifts (including the blankets for WHAM) will be contactless this year. Note that the MAM gift drive will end this coming week. Please be a part of taking care of those in our community as we share the joy of this season.
Now back to our offerings this year…
This Sunday, St. Nicholas will be visiting our kiddos in our Zoom Sunday school! He was sighted on campus today getting ready and greeting many of the students at our school. Chaplain Suzy is prepared to interview him and ask all sorts of questions about his caring ministry. I hope you will join us!
Next Sunday, December 13th at 6:00, we will have a special premier of our Nativity Pageant outside on our athletic field (where Field Church takes place on Sundays). The youngest members of our church community have been preparing and recording for weeks and we are very excited to share with you the story of Jesus’ birth. Bring folding chairs and, depending on the weather, possibly a blanket. We will be offering hot chocolate (in a sanitary and safe manner). We will also be releasing the pageant video online at the same time for those who can’t attend in person and for grandparents and others who may not live close by. Join us as our children bless us with their telling of the story of Jesus’ birth!
On Christmas Eve, we will have two offerings. First, we will gather at 5:00 outside for Carols and Communion on our field. Singing the songs of glad tidings and great joy is a significant part of our annual Christmas Eve services. I pray you will join us to sing, pray, and share the Holy Eucharist on this holy night. The Altar Guild suggests you to bring battery powered holiday lights and other decorations for your seating area. Special candles for Silent Night will be provided.
At 7:00, we will share in our traditional service of Lessons and Carols virtually. This beautiful service will offer you a chance to hear of God’s ongoing redemptive story and experience our special music. I pray this will be a wonderful way for all of us to settle into the essential meaning of this holy holiday.
In all that we do this season, please know that the coming of Christ to comfort and save is not dependent on us. We may not get to do all our usual traditions and we may not do everything perfectly, but fear not. That first Christmas was the experience of an uncomfortable expecting mother riding through the desert only to find nowhere to stay upon arrival and giving birth amongst the animals. Apart from a group of salty shepherds and a few wise people from the East, hardly anyone knew that anything had taken place. And yet, everything changed for all time in that remote corner of a now defunct empire. Jesus comes no matter what. So, rest in this good news and let this year’s differences offer a new experience of how God breaks into our world and our lives no matter what. I wish you a blessed Advent as we prepare for this miracle that is to take place.
We love you and God loves you.