Dear Peace members and friends,
“You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” —Psalm 16:11
When I went to the Shrine Circus in grade school there were, of course, clowns. I remember the clown car pulling into the main ring. And the clowns would come piling out, one after another after another after another. How many clowns can fit inside of a tiny clown car? Enough to captivate and enchant the circus audience as the laws of physics are challenged and dozens of them happily pour out.
How much joy can fit in tiny places? Apparently a lot. C.S. Lewis captures this idea in The Last Battle when the loyal followers of Narnia are forced up a hill and into the door of a dark and tiny stable.
“Tirian looked round again and could hardly believe his eyes. There was the blue sky overhead, and grassy country spreading as far as he could see in every direction, and his new friends all round him laughing. ‘It seems, then,’ said Tirian, smiling himself, ‘that the stable seen from within and the stable seen from without are two different places.’ … ‘Yes,’ said Queen Lucy. ‘In our world too, a stable once had something inside it that was bigger than our whole world.’”
In the child, Jesus we see immensity enfolded into one tiny human being, who is Emmanuel, God with us. And in his presence find joy, life, and light.
This weekend we will once again we will gather to celebrate this Good News of Christmas; that Emmanuel, God is with Us in Jesus Christ.
On Christmas Eve there are two identical worship services on Sunday; at 4:00pm and 5:30pm. A Festival Service of Lessons and Carols, along with “Silent Night” and candle-lighting. Come join in 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 here 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; to Christmas gifts for children at Queen Louise Home in St. Croix, USVI; to local women’s 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!
To all of you: Merry Christmas!
Mark