A Christmas Greeting from the Rector

A Blessed Greeting to All,

As we move through the season of Advent and the four Sundays leading up to the celebration of Christmas, we anticipate the commemoration of the birth of Jesus. But in our society, the greater truth is that as December 25th gets closer, we often find ourselves filled more with the anticipation of the time off work, of being with our family, or with the hope of receiving a gift or two.

In the midst of all those current and important things of our earthy life, sometimes truly celebrating the birth of a baby born two thousand years ago gets lost in the shuffle. It drops to the middle (or bottom) of our Christmas "To Do" list. It is difficult to get too excited about something you already know you have.

Perhaps this Christmas we need to be reminded just how important this two thousand-year-old gift is to us and to the world today! The Messiah was certainly a much desired and much needed person in the days before Jesus was born. The prophet Isaiah, when he was looking forward in expectation of the birth of the Messiah, called Him, among other titles, the "Prince of Peace."

Oh, how much our world needs the gift that the Prince of Peace has to offer! I invite you to move celebrating the birth of Jesus back to the top of your "To Do" list. Find the space to mark Jesus' birth in your heart and in your home. Give thanks to God when you eat your Christmas meal. Join us in worship as we celebrate God's most wonderful gift. With these subtle, yet powerful personal actions may we help fill our world with the Peace that God wants for all creation.

Peace,
Rob

The Rev'd Robert W.A. Park
Rector