December 27, 2006
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
The twelve days of Christmas are a time to continue to ponder the mystery of God's presence in our world. We will ponder the glory of God's goodness in word and song in the Festival of Nine Christmas Lessons and Carols on Sunday, December 31, at 10:30 am. This lovely service, a tradition at All Saints, allows us to linger in the Christmas spirit and to deepen our union with the Giver of all good gifts.
THEME FOR THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS:
The Collect reminds us of the powerful theme of God's light illuming the world through the incarnation of the God's holy word: "Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen"
The lessons for the day speak of God's presence in our midst. Isaiah proclaims God's vindication that "shines out like the dawn, and her salvation like a burning torch." Psalm 147 speaks of restoration: "The LORD rebuilds Jerusalem; he gathers the exiles of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."
The epistle to the Galatians emphasizes the purpose of the birth of Christ to make us children of God and heirs of God's Kingdom: "When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!' So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God."
The Gospel is the famous prologue from John which asserts the eternal identity of Jesus: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it."
Like Mary, may we continue to ponder the mystery of God's birth in Christ and pray that the Word of God may be born within each of us.
Sincerely,
David A. Killian
Rector
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First Sunday after Christmas, Sunday, December 31:
10:30 am - Festival of Nine Christmas Lessons and Carols
There is no Celtic Holy Eucharist at 5:00 pm on Saturday, December 30
There is no Sunday 6:00 pm service on December 31
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For the Collect of the Day, Scripture Readings, and Psalm, click here.
For the Collect of the Day, Scripture Readings, and Psalm for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, click here.
For a note on the Music at the Sunday 10:30 am service, from All Saints Music Director Donald Teeters, click here.
For a Story from this Sunday's Gospel by Becky Taylor, Director of Children's Youth, and Family Ministry, click here.
For a note on the Sunday 6:00 pm 'Episcopal Evening' service from Assistant Rector, the Rev. Leslie K. Sterling, click here.
To browse past issues of the All Saints Weekly, click here.
For "All Saints Smiles" and news about events, activities, programs, ministries and the staff of our parish, please click on the All Saints website: www.allsaintsbrookline.org.
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