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Christmas

Mother of God

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Luke 2: 1-20

Christmas Eve, 2013

 

Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a young girl betrothed to Joseph when she found herself to be pregnant. For some reason—apparently a heavenly one—Joseph chose to marry her despite this apparent pre-marital slip-up. Jesus was her first child. It appears that she bore at least three more boys, and possibly a daughter. She helped raise one older boy, James, who was likely Joseph’s son from a previous marriage. Three other sons are identified: Joseph, Judas, and Simon (Matthew 13: 55). Certainly James was a disciple of Jesus—though not one of the Twelve apostles–and possibly Simon and Judas as well.Read More »Mother of God

The Ecclesiastical Calendar (part 1)

ADVENT

(The Ecclesiastical Year begins with Advent, a season to recollect the hope of (1) the coming Christ (his birth), and to look forward to (2) the Lord’s coming again:  the Parousia.)

1. First season of the Ecclesiastical Year

2. Begins with the Sunday falling upon or nearest St. Andrew’s Day (Nov. 30th), however an easier way to calculate the beginning of Advent: Advent begins 4 Sundays before Christmas Day, not counting Christmas Day if it falls on a Sunday.  There are always four Sundays in Advent.

3. Originated out of early Christian practice having to do with a fasting period for candidates who were to be received into the fellowship on January 6th (Epiphany Day) when it served as a time for study and preparation.

4. Often called, “Winter Lent,” Advent is considered a period of penitence in preparation for the coming of the Savior: (1) the human Incarnation of Christ ; (2) the “Second Coming” of Christ in glory at the end of time (Parousia).

5. Liturgical color is purple or violet (less often, blue) which represents penitence as well as the “royal” color (Kingship of Christ).

6. Key Words and Phrases: Prepare, Watch, Wait, Darkness, Anticipation; Humility; Expectation; Hope; Listen; Evening;Read More »The Ecclesiastical Calendar (part 1)

Christmas

CHRISTMAS CATASTROPHE Isaiah 60.1-6 Psalm 72.1-7, 19-14 Ephesians 3.1-12 Matthew 2.1-18 December 16, 2012 Rev. Dr. Warner M. Bailey The Wise Men stopped for directions… Read More »Christmas

Rain Didn’t Spoil Christmas On The Hill!

For the fourth year in a row, St. Stephen celebrated Christmas on the Hill, this year with a Mexican theme. As always, there were food, crafts, people in First Century Palestinian costumes–and more. But what made it unusual was that for the first time, we were forced indoors, into the Parish Hall, because of the rain  and cold.

But that didn’t spoil the fun. In  fact, it made it more  celebratory. There had to have  been 300 people in that two  hour span.

Who came? We had a lot who  came for our first ever Las  Posadas, a traditional Spanish  and Mexican journey to  celebrate Christmas. Read More »Rain Didn’t Spoil Christmas On The Hill!

Miracle of the Mundane

By Rev. Fritz Ritsch

If you are, or have been, the parent of new baby, you’ve become intensely aware that in most social situations that baby in your arms is a ticking time bomb. Your little bundle of joy could go off at any moment: in the theater, in the supermarket, in the restaurant, even here in church—and people will turn and give you “that look”—the look that means, “What were you thinking, bringing that baby in here?”

When that happens, I’m often reminded of the words of the writer of Psalm 8: “Out of the mouths of babes and infants you have founded a bulwark because of your foes, to silence the enemy and the avenger.” To the psalmist apparently, this most mundane, even annoying sound is gifted by God with the spiritual power to stave off the danger of terrorists and assassins. The cry of a baby is the ultimate proof that life is more powerful than death. So cry away, babies, and thank you for the blessing you bestow upon us when you enter our doors!Read More »Miracle of the Mundane