Good Tidings as we begin the 2020 Advent-Christmas Season!
“I’ll be home for Christmas
You can count on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents on the tree
Christmas Eve will find me
Where the lovelight gleams
I’ll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams”
“I’ll be Home for Christmas” – written by Walter Kent, Kim Gannon, and Sam “Buck” Ram – is quite a popular Christmas carol, sung by countless artists since its composition in the early 1940s.
And although this song tugs at our heart, it has been also known to tug at our tear ducts.
In fact, initially the song was not well received because it further saddened those separated from their loved ones during the war. It was said that the BBC initially banned the song for fear it would lower troop morale. The song’s lyrics were written from the perspective of a WWII soldier serving overseas. His words expressed the hope he felt and that which he looked forward to upon his return… but alas, one did not know when peace would come and if that dream of returning home would become reality.
Even as we near Advent, some of us wonder who will be home for Christmas. Some of us also already know. For some, a family homecoming will only be a dream… or a Zoom gathering. COVID-19 will likely be the greatest cause of separation. Work demands may be greater on essential workers. But COVID-19 may also not be the reason. Other illnesses could be a factor. Death may have forever altered family gatherings. And a blend of family needs may affect when gatherings take place.
It is possible such circumstances do not apply to you, or if they do (directly or indirectly), perhaps you are only mildly affected. But for a number of people, this reality (or potential reality) is becoming a growing concern and source of distress.
For that reason, I think it is especially important for those of us who have a faith to each do our part, individually and as a congregation, to bring a “stable presence” into the lives of our families, our friends, and our community.
It was to a nation in great distress that the prophet Isaiah spoke these words:
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned…
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9: 2, 6, 7c)
To you, in your home, in this world, a child was born, to you a son was given.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us… all of us (John 1:14).
Into the stable of a family home, the Saviour of the world, God-in-the-flesh, entered our lives.
And he is here and he will return.
These are not whimsical words meant to re-create a certain warmth or nostalgia each year.
The Word has entered into our lives to transform all that is good, bad, and ugly.
The realities facing us today, and not just those directly-linked to COVID-19, matter to Christ.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, gave up all kinds of stabilities, including life itself, to be present with us.
He entered the world through a stable
and brought us, not just the shepherds, into the very presence of God,
for he himself was God-in-the-flesh.
Christ made his home with us so that we could dwell with God here and now,
not just during certain holidays or after our last breath.
During this season of Advent and celebration of Christmas, our focus will be this Stable Presence. Through worship, at home, and in the community our hope is to:
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- Deepen your journey to the manger;
- Deepen your awareness and understanding of God’s presence and presents in the stable;
- Help you experience stability and God’s graces in the midst of a pandemic;
- Empower and encourage you to be a stable presence in the community where there is need.
Enclosed with this message is an outline of worship services and activities planned for Advent and Christmas. While plans are affected by (and may change due to) COVID, we are hopeful that God will draw us deeper into his presence even as we draw nearer to him.
Advent, not New Year’s Day, marks the beginning of a new worship year. And as we near the conclusion of another liturgical year, the elders and I would like to thank you for your presence, faith, and sharing of gifts. This year we were reminded that presence comes in many forms. And for each way you have been present with us, whether it is in-person, online, by mail or by phone, we are most grateful. We are also thankful for the ways you have been present in the sharing of your faith, your prayers, your monetary givings, your volunteering of time and talents, and your ongoing encouragement and support of one another and those in need. And we are thankful for making sacrifices and adapting to changes in order to advance the Gospel and care for one another.
If you would like to make a Christmas offering of thanksgiving in honour of the Christ-King’s birth, we have special envelopes and gifts can also be received in-person or by mail. May God continue to bless all that we offer him for the sake of Christ’s ministry, that more and more people will come to know the grace, hope, peace, joy, and love of our Lord’s presence in their lives.
In Christ,
Rev. Wendy MacWilliams and the Session of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church
Advent-Christmas 2020 at St. Paul’s (Events may be affected by COVID)
Discover and experience the gifts of a stable presence in your life today!
Worship
Sunday Worship 11 a.m.):
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- November 29: Let the “Advent-ure” begin! Our first Sunday of Advent is Hope Sunday.
- December 6: Peace Sunday/Communion Sunday
- December 13: Joy Sunday
- December 20: Love Sunday
Sunday, November 29 (7 p.m.) – Ecumenical Service of Lessons & Carols – This service will be live-streamed on St. Paul’s YouTube and Facebook page. If you have Wi-Fi, in light of Public Health considerations, we encourage you to worship from home. If you do not have Internet and would like to attend in person, please RSVP with Rev. Wendy or an elder. Limited seating is available.
Monday, December 21 (7 p.m.) – A Service of Comfort and Hope (aka Longest Night Service)
Thursday, December 24 (7 p.m.) – Christmas Eve Service
Worship Kits:
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- Throughout Advent, we will share a variety of worship kits to help you experience a stable presence at home too!
- Wendy will provide a daily video devotional during Advent. Each Sunday she will provide print copies of that week’s devotionals for those who may wish to read them.
In the Community
Nursing Homes:
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- St. Paul’s is scheduled to provide worship to the Carleton Manor on December 6. We will confirm soon what kind of worship support we are able to provide in light of COVID. We will also see about caroling outdoors for their residents.
- We will also reach out to local nursing homes to make them aware of online services available through St. Paul’s.
A-Caroling-We-Will-Go! Wednesday, December 9 and 16 from 6:30 – 8 p.m.
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- If you are interested in caroling, please let Nolan or Rev. Wendy know.
- We will meet in the church parking lot at 6 and head-out from there.
- Masks will be worn and social distancing maintained. Singing will take place outdoors.
- If you know of someone in Woodstock that would enjoy being surprised by some carolers, please let Nolan or Rev. Wendy know.
We are the Stable Presence too! – Helping our Neighbours: Being a Stable Presence means sharing the good news of Christ’s birth and ministry in practical ways, like feeding the hungry, tending to the sick, visiting those in need, and welcoming the stranger. Throughout Advent we will share specific ways we can tangibly help those in need. There will be opportunities to help community organizations, reach out to people in need and give comfort and cheer to those who are more isolated and vulnerable.
*Stay up-to-date on other Advent developments through conversations with one another, bulletin updates, emails and social media posts.