We have moved out of Advent and entered the Christmas season. Below I'll explain when the 12 days of Christmas start and end, along with associated Feast Days within the season.
See below for details, but note that we are having a potluck and Christmas party after worship this Sunday,December 30.
Also, over the next week or so we will be collecting money - a Christmas Offering - that will 100% go to a global clean water project by Nazarene Compassionate Ministries. You can bring cash or checks to the church designated "Christmas Eve Offering" or online by clicking on the "Give Now" tab here. If you give online, please be sure to note our church on the last line.
Happy Christmas!
Christmas blessings!
Matt
A prayer on the day of St. Stephen (December 26) Let us pray
We give you thanks, O Lord of glory, for the example of the first martyr Stephen, who looked up to heaven and prayed for his persecutors to your Son Jesus Christ, who stands at your right hand; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
A prayer on the day of St. John (December 27) Let us pray
Shed upon your Church, O Lord, the brightness of your light, that we, being illumined by the teaching of your apostle and evangelist John, may so walk in the light of your truth, that at length we may attain to the fullness of eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
A prayer on the day of the Holy Innocents (December 28) Let us pray
We remember today, O God, the slaughter of the holy innocents of Bethlehem by King Herod. Receive, we pray, into the arms of your mercy all innocent victims; and by your great might frustrate the designs of evil tyrants and establish your rule of justice, love, and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
**Sunday, December 30**
Christmas Potluck and White Elephant Exchange. We always have a wonderful time celebrating and laughing - I hope you can join us!
Sunday, January 6
Epiphany falls on a Sunday this year.
Sunday, January 13
Baptism of Christ Sunday
If you have never been baptized or if you would like to officially renew your baptism, this is a great Sunday to do that. Let Pastor Matt know so we can make arrangements.
Wednesday Schedule January 2, No Wednesday night meeting January 9, Women's and Men's Bible studies January 16, Packing food bags
Why We Do What We Do in Worship
Here are how the days of Christmas are numbered and the major feasts within the season. I want us to pay attention to and keep time according to the Christian calendar because it helps us tell and live into our story. Calendars form who we are, our imaginations, and what we love.
Christmas Day (Dec. 25) = Christmas Day 1.
(Often the evening of Christmas eve begins this first day - due in part to the Jewish custom of beginning a day at sunset.)
December 26 = Christmas Day 2. This is the "Feast of Stephen" as in the song, "Good King Wenceslas."
December 27 = Christmas Day 3. This is the "Feast of St. John."
December 28 = Christmas Day 4. This is the "Feast of Holy Innocents," the day we remember the first people killed for Christ, the innocent children of Bethlehem murdered by the government of the day.
December (etc. etc.) until
January 1 = Christmas Day 8. This is the "Feast of the Holy Name." Jesus would have been circumcised and named on the 8th day from his birth.
January (etc. etc) until
January 5 = Christmas Day 12.
January 6 = Epiphany. This is the day we celebrate the coming of the Magi. In many cultures, this is the day children receive their gifts. It is, again in some cultures, known as Three Kings Day.
As I write this, we are on the second day of Christmas, Dec. 26. This day is known as the Feast of Stephen. You might know that phrase from the Christmas song, "Good King Wenceslas." Stephen was the first person killed due to belief in Jesus as the risen Messiah - St. Stephen is the first Christian martyr.
Then, on the 28th, is the Feast of Holy Innocents, the day we will celebrate and remember the innocent children killed in Bethlehem because Jesus was born. They are the first martyrs to be killed because of Jesus.
NOTE WELL: After we celebrate the incarnation, God becoming human and the birth of Jesus, with all the associated joy and happiness, we (the Church) remember and celebrate the first people to be killed because of Christ.
This way of marking the days - celebrating the birth of Jesus followed by remembering saints and the earliest martyrs - reminds us that the call to follow Christ is not an easy or safe call.
But note also that the death of martyrs is known as their day of victory. Yes, the day they are killed is their victory. Christianity is an upside-down religion. Jesus proclaimed that "the first shall be last, the last shall be first, death is victory, etc."
The sermon from last week, Advent week 7. I talked about Mary quite a bit in this sermon. Here is a link to the image I showed during the sermon: https://www.etsy.com/shop/BenWildflower
The sermon from two weeks ago - Advent week 6.
Join us for worship - Sunday mornings at 10:30
2340 N. Hayden Rd.
480-949-9494
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