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You might have noticed that, during Advent, we did not sing Christmas hymns (for the most part), that the Baby Jesus was not yet on display in the nativity scene, and that Christmas poinsettias were kept in reserve for Christmas Eve and following. These disciplines are important, because we need to be reminded, not only that Advent is its own season with its own integrity, but also that Christmas does not stop on Christmas day! We do not want to be burnt-out on the joy of the Christ-Child come December 26. We want to celebrate fully the twelve days, as we plow on through the bleak, cold winter, knowing that winter is a time for rejoicing, because God has taken on human flesh; God has broken into human existence; God has revealed His salvation to all people, not just to the "chosen," or those who are "good enough," but to sinners.
If you are a prompt "Ark" reader, it is still Christmas while you are reading this! And even if you're a bit of a procrastinator, the joy that was renewed for us in this celebration should still hearten you into the weeks after Epiphany, as we show Christ forth in our lives to all people we come in contact. Not just friends and family, not just to attractive and likeable people, but to enemies, to cranky people, to strangers, to sinners.
In C.S. Lewis' story, the children see the first omen that the witch's hold over Narnia is breaking when Father Christmas (Santa Claus) pays a visit, and announces that Aslan the Lion (who represents Christ) is coming back soon to reign (in this way, Santa played sort of a "John the Baptist" role!). Because of the Christ-Child, because God has entered humanity, we know that the hold of sin, death and the devil - though it's still there - is breaking. It's dominion is doomed to fail, and is already falling apart, because our God has come in human flesh to save us!
A continued Merry Christmas and Blessed Epiphany to you! And enjoy marching through the winter with joy, with hope, witnessing to God's salvation in Christ, which once came at Bethlehem, and is now held up for all people!
Pr. Bill+
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Annual Meeting Part 2
Sunday, January 27th
Immediately following the 2nd Service
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