December 22, 2022
“I am not alone at all, I thought. I was never alone at all. And that, of course, is the message of Christmas. We are never alone. Not when the night is darkest, the wind coldest, the world seemingly most indifferent. For this is still the time God chooses.” –Taylor Caldwell
Dear Peace Members,
As you likely know, the song “Silent Night” was famously written in the midst of a near disastrous Christmas Eve. The church organ broke down. The priest Joseph Mohr needed a solution. So he brought his lyrics to Franz Gruber who wrote the music for a guitar accompaniment. The song is itself a kind of Christmas miracle:
“Silent night! Holy night! Son of God, love’s pure light radiant beams from thy holy face with the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth! Jesus, Lord, at thy birth!”
Once again in worship, we’ll be singing “Silent Night” by candlelight this Christmas Eve. There are two worship services on Saturday; at 4:00pm and 5:30pm. Apart from Holy Communion at the 5:30pm service, these celebrations will be the same; the Christmas story, carols, and a message entitled, “This Night We Are Those Who Dream.” Come join us for one of these services of joy, hope, and comfort.
Note: the 4:00pm Christmas Eve service will be livestreamed (click here) and will be available on YouTube at the service’s conclusion (click here).
On Christmas Day at 9:30am, we’ll once again hear the Good News of the Incarnation of God in Jesus Christ, and share in Holy Communion. Following worship, there will be a reception in the Parish Hall.
I want to thank you again for your offering and support for particular needs during this Advent/Christmas season: the ELCA’s ministry of Good Gifts throughout the world; for the means to support a Christmas celebration for women in local shelters; and for refugees at St. Andrew’s United Church of Cairo, Egypt. In the name of Jesus Christ, thank you!
If you are traveling, we wish you a blessed Christmas! May your traveling, may your ways be safe and your reunions joyful!
And, wherever you are, I hope you can at least hum “Silent Night” and, in spite of life’s challenges and sadness, know something of the night’s promise and holy joy: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end.” –Isaiah 9:6-7.
Merry Christmas!
Mark