Advent & Christmas Greetings 2015
ADVENT & CHRISTMAS GREETINGS 2015
I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord.
(Luke 2:10-11)
Advent & Christmas time are for most people a magical time of year. It is a time when loved ones gather, celebrations take place, and memories are made. It is most certainly a time of praise and glory to those of us who celebrate the birth of Christ. The magic of the season is found in an overwhelming sense of the joy of life, and in the relationships of our lives.
Even in those places where relationships are strained… where disappointments and sadnesses take place, we can look for spiritual support to the Babe of Bethlehem who became for us, “a Saviour, the Messiah, the Lord”. It is with Jesus, the Anointed One of God, that we can rest our cares and concerns and develop an ongoing faith-filled relationship that helps us to live more abundantly into our lives.
Christmas is a good time to start, or to continue to nurture that relationship with the Christ for our lives.
Christmas for many is a joyous time filled with goodwill and blessings and a sense of peace on earth. Many people will expand their circle of giving to those less fortunate, as they spread compassion and kindness into their community. We are beginning to hear good news stories during this unprecedented time in human history of people working towards support of Syrian refugees. It is part of the spirit of the season and of our knowledge of how Jesus would extend care and compassion, that the caring spirit of people is reaching out to help others who find themselves in a horrible situation.
There are many ways in which the Spirit of Christmas catches hold of us, and wraps us as God’s children in a warm, compassionate and loving embrace.
As you prepare yourself for the season of Christmas, I invite you to reflect on all the blessings you have been gifted in your life. I also invite you to attend our church services, in which we connect the spirit and love that we feel at Christmas time throughout the year in worship to God in Jesus.
May we continue to pray for peace and goodwill to all and gather to marvel at and worship our God Incarnate… Jesus the Christ.
The one who is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord.
Peace to you and yours in this Christmas season,
Reverend Jamie York
Hastings Roseneath Pastoral Charge, The United Church of Canada
Office: 905-352-2000 email: hastingsroseneathpc@hotmail.com Web: www.harpcharge.com
WORSHIP & SPECIAL SERVICES SCHEDULE
Regular Sunday Worship Services: Trinity Hastings 9:15, Roseneath 11:00
December 20 Sacrament of Holy Communion at both churches
December 24 Christmas Eve services Roseneath 6:30 pm Hastings 8:00 pm