Greetings in the name of our Saviour whose birth we celebrate,
Christmas has come upon us. As we gather for worhsip on Christmas Eve, we will journey again to Bethlehem, in word and song, to share the story of a birth that changed the world. In that dirty, musty stable let us see the face of God in our midst. Let us feel with the shepherds that joy tinged with wonder and some fear that something momentus has happened in our world. Let us remember with the Magi, that though the way may be long and challenging, God calls to us and can guide us to the place where we are meant to be.
Children who are present at the Service will have the opportunity, if they wish, to be part of a Bethlehem tableau, a live Nativity Scene. St. Francis of Assisi created the first live nativity scene in Greccio, Italy in 1223 in order for the poor of the area to be able to "go the Bethlehem" without having to endure the expense and hardship of a pilgimage to the Holy Land. For Francis, the simple celebration was meant to recall the hardships Jesus suffered even as an infant, a saviour who chose to become poor for our sake, a truly human Jesus.
May the blessings of Christmas be yours,
Larry Wright
Spirit West United Church
(780) 481-1406
Dates to Remember:
— Saturday December 24 - Christmas Eve Service at 6:30 pm
— Sunday December 25 - Christmas Day (Sunday) NO SERVICE
— Sunday January 1, 2012 - NO SERVICE
— Sunday January 8, 2012 - CINNAMON BUN SUNDAY - We will gather to worhip God in a more relaxed way. We gather as family and friends around tables and as our souls warm with song and prayer, our bodies will be warmed by hot cinnamon buns and hot drinks. Come and join the fellowship.
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