St. Andrews by the Lake

CHRISTMAS EVE

Dear Friends in Christ,

I don’t think it snows where Jesus was born. But it sure does here!!  Christmas Eve worship will go on as planned for those who can make it — but please, don’t take chances if you are far away or don’t think you’d be able to make it home. One of the beauties of our tradition (Anglican/Episcopalian) is that the Incarnation is so central to our understanding of who God is — and how we live out that spirituality in our lives.  God has come to be with us in the flesh of a child — which means that God is with us in our flesh and that of others - today, now, at this very moment.  Everyone carries that presence of God — and that holy, indestructible energy to create love permeates the world around us and is the foundation of all. That’s why the Anglican Church is often referred to as the Church of Christmas.  We know it’s not a single evening - a single day - even just 12 days. Christmas Spirituality is 365 days a year — all our lives — if we choose to let it be. I’ve always thought it would be good to designate a Sunday in July to sing Christmas Carols — just to remind ourselves of that!

This evening, if you can’t make it to church, take some time to light the white Christmas Candle. Stop, look, and listen for the Holy around you in that moment. Take a long, reverent, quiet look at the Reality of God in your life.  Listen to God’s message — that the light of Christ pierces the darkness.  That light is the caring energy of God’s love. It scatters the darkness of the world. It offers us the mystery of resurrection that breaks the bonds of sin and death.  Ponder God’s abiding presence and the mystery of the Incarnation.

Then here is a prayer to offer:

Come, Holy Spirit. Enlighten our minds to see the inner meaning of the mystery of our faith.

      Come, Holy Spirit. Enkindle our heats with your fire of love and with a passion to do God’s will.

      Come, Holy Spirit. Empower us to become disciples of Christ in both word and deed. *

The Season of Christmas is here! Celebrate. Share God’s love. May you be blessed in many ways.

Cindy

*Prayer by The Rt. Rev. Robert Morneau