It's only the second day of Christmas, and already the air's gone out of the inflatable Santa Claus next door, and songs about the birth in Bethlehem "that seers foretold" are no longer in (and on) the air.
But we Episcopalians have ways to keep that story going as the soundtrack of our lives. When we do daily devotions from the prayer book and we re-tell that story with other disciples at church, we heighten our awareness that we, too, are a part of the much-longer story of God's dream for our world.
At St. James, we now offer services some nights at 6:30, perfect for someone on their way home from work, or on their way out to dinner on the Square.
Three evening prayer services are offered this week, each with a special collect -- a prayer that our church created to connect our stories and the world we live in to the stories of those we honor.
Dec 26 St. Stephen
We give thanks for the example of Stephen who looked up to heaven and prayed for his persecutors. (Book of Common Prayer p. 237)
Dec 27 St. John
We pray that, being illumined by the teaching of your apostle and evangelist John, [we may] walk in the light of your truth... (BCP 238)
Dec 28 the Holy Innocents
Receive, we pray, into the arms of your mercy all innocent victims... and establish your rule of justice, love, and peace... (BCP 238)
[Note: My posts to this blog have fallen off considerably since I took a position writing the newsletter for my church. This is one piece for this week's issue.]
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