The Christmas Train

This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said,

“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:

‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’ ”

Matthew 3:3

Dear Friends,

Buckle up! The Christmas Train has left the station!

It seems like every year merchandisers try to get an even earlier jump on marketing their Christmas wares. Christmas decorations are showing up in stores. Streaming channels are loading up with their Christmas time movies. Holiday baking shows are claiming air time. Some of my neighbours have already put their snow men, Santas and reindeer in their yards.

I’m all for celebrating the birth of our Saviour but it does seem like the season has been hijacked by images, agendas, and other things that distract us from—what is for Christians—the heart of the celebration of Christmas.

Liturgically (a fancy word for describing the traditional pattern of worship in the Church for almost 2000 years), Christmas does not begin until the evening of December 24^th! In our current culture, Christmas Eve is more like the exclamation point on 6-8 weeks of being on the “Christmas” train. On Sunday, November 30^th, we begin our season of Advent. Advent has a different feel than Christmas. It is a time of waiting, self-examination, and hoping as we prepare ourselves for the celebration of God becoming human (incarnating) in Jesus. Accordingly, our Advent celebration will focus on the themes of: Hope, Love, Joy and Peace.

I mentioned that liturgically Christmas does not begin until Christmas Eve. The traditional celebration is on the twelve days beginning with Christmas Day (remember the carol, The Twelve Days of Christmas?) culminating with the Twelfth Night celebration on January 5^th (the day before Epiphany and the visit of the Wise Men). If you are interested in being part of a movement to reclaim this traditional celebration of Christmas, we have an opportunity for you.

As you are aware, we have created a strong relationship with the Hizmet (Turkish Muslim) community. Many of you have enjoyed their hospitality at Iftars and other Intercultural Dialogue Institute events. They are always interested in having opportunities to get to know us and to experience how we celebrate our faith. Accordingly, we (Pastor Laura and I in conjunction with IDI) are creating a series of events during the Twelve Days of Christmas where members of our churches invite our Muslim friends into our homes. Each night will have its own theme and we will have other guidelines as far as what to prepare and do.

If you are interested in being part of this reclaiming of Christmas celebration and are willing to host our Muslim friends, please let me know. We will be creating a schedule so that our Muslim friends know how many, when, and where to go. You can email, text or just give me a call if you are interested… and plan on leaving your Christmas decorations up a few days longer!

May you have a blessed Advent,

Pastor Phil