Weekly Update | December 24, 2023
On Sunday we will celebrate Advent IV in the morning and Christmas Eve at night! In one day we move from darkness to the light of Christ born in Jesus. The act of receiving the light of love and carrying it forward into the world requires all of us. On the isle of Iona in Scotland, poet Jan Sutch Pickard describes this act of love.
Carrying a candle
Carrying a candle
from one little place of shelter
to another
is an act of love.
To move through the huge
and hungry darkness, step by step,
against the invisible wind
that blows for ever around the world,
carrying a candle,
is an act of foolhardy hope.
Surely it will be blown out:
the wind is contemptuous,
the darkness cannot comprehend it.
How much light can this tiny flame shed
on all the great issues of the day?
It is as helpless as a newborn child.
Look how the human hand,
that cradles it, has become translucent:
fragile and beautiful; foolish and loving.
Step by step.
The wind is stronger than this hand,
and the darkness infinite
around this tiny here-and-now flame,
that wavers, but keeps burning:
carried with such care
through an uncaring world
from one little place of shelter to another.
An act of love.
The light shines in the darkness
and the darkness can never put it out.
You are invited to join us on Sunday, December 24th in the morning at 9am to celebrate Advent IV and again at 7pm for a beautiful and festive Christmas Eve service with traditional carols for all to sing. Children and families are most welcome.
We will welcome The Right Reverend John H. Taylor, Bishop of Los Angeles later at 10:30pm who will preside and preach with our magnificent St. John’s Cathedral Choir under the direction of Dr. Christopher Gravis and Dr. Zachery Neufeld on organ.
There will be another glorious Holy Eucharist on Christmas morning at 10:00am, with traditional carols to sing and hearts joyful for the birth of Christ within and among us.
Holding onto the light of Christ in a world of darkness takes willing minds and hearts to carry this light forth and make known the love of God to all the world. May God, working in us, who does more than we can ask or imagine, give us peace. Merry Christmas!
With God’s love and blessings,
Anne+
