Make It A Full 12

Hi COTC Family,

Christmas is almost here! This Sunday, the 24th, is the final day of Advent. By the end of that day, we will be entering the Christmas season. 

Culturally speaking, Christmas is the 25th. For those of us from Canada, the celebration continues on the 26th, Boxing Day. But for the church, Christmas is 12 days, taking us past the turn of the New Year and extending up to the season of Epiphany. 

This extended period reflects the remarkable goodness of what we celebrate. The gift of God himself, the goodness of God with us, and the reality that God’s gracious and glorious reign is present today. Those truths are worth lingering upon. 

Beginning this Sunday, COTC will linger in this season in various ways. On the evening of the 24th, following our Advent Four service at 10 am, we’ll be hosting two services to mark the Feast of the Nativity. At 4:30 pm, with a children’s pageant, and at 6:30 pm. Join us! Invite a friend! 

On the 31st, the following Sunday, we’ll gather at 10 am for a Lesson & Carols service. This service, too, is focused on Christmas. Through Scripture readings and songs, we will rejoice in the story of Christmas and God’s faithfulness. See below for details. 

Finally, as we turn toward the new season, Epiphany is Saturday, January 6th. We’ll gather for an Epiphany bonfire! Hang on to any real trees, wreaths, or other greenery and bring them to this celebration of Jesus as the Light of the World. 

In addition to these corporate celebrations, I encourage you to extend your Christmas celebrations across these twelve days. Feast, exchange present (maybe space them out across the reason?), read the biblical story several times, read stories and watch movies adjacent to the goodness of Jesus’ coming, hang out with family and friends, and find ways to rejoice in the truth that “to us, a Savior has been given.” 

The world around us has been celebrating the Christmas season since the end of November. We have been journeying through the season of Advent, waiting and preparing. Now, as the world moves quickly on, let us linger and revel in the goodness of our God. 

In Christ, 

Peter+ 

Ps. J-Term registrations are open, and folks are signing up! Be sure to check out these opportunities for formation and equipping. I especially wanted to highlight the group focused on reconciliation and Scripture. This curriculum comes from Arrabon, the group led by our Parish Retreat speaker, David Bailey. This course is an excellent opportunity to grow further in being a person of reconciliation.