Christmas Eve
Today’s final issue of the Cascadia Weekly grabbed me with its cover image: Santa Claus and reindeer navigating a night sky full of snow and COVID-19. Replace Santa with Mary and Joseph headed toward Bethlehem on a donkey, and it’s a picture of what this season feels like for some of us preparing for Christmas Eve. No matter what, the holy family will persevere; the Christ child will be born; angels, shepherds, magi, and all of us will bear witness to the miracle of God-with-Us once again.
Our “Close to Home” seasonal theme continues with the Christmas Eve message “Invited Home.” That title rings significant for me, as we are all invited into worship together, wherever we are—in our own homes or with framily or in our sanctuary. Although part of the story reads, “there was no room at the inn,” there are so many invitations! God invited Mary and Joseph into the Messiah’s story; angels invited shepherds; the star invited magi... We invite you to join together at 5:00 pm or 11:30 pm to consider what invitations you’re hearing even now. Services will be both in person and on Facebook Live.
Church Council met on Monday evening and agreed that music is such a significant aspect of our worship life, so this Christmas Eve come prepared to hum along with the worship leaders singing carols or lift your voice wherever you are in the Bigger Balcony (our online worship presence). You might also have a bell with you—either the one you received in early September or another you’ve found—so we can make a joyful noise together throughout the 5 p.m. service.
Masks, contact tracing, and distancing are all part of our in-person gatherings these days. Science has shown that some masks work better than others at caring for our neighbors, so we ask you to please consider wearing a N95 mask if you have access to one (the church has purchased some for us to wear in worship if you need one, but they likely won’t arrive before Christmas Eve). Council also determined that all worship leaders who sing or speak in the service need to be fully vaccinated (including a booster), as the booster seems to be more protection against the rapidly spreading Omicron variant.
The stories of our faith assure us that people persisted through many hardships in order to witness Christ’s birth, so we are not alone in our experiences today. No matter what, Emmanuel, God-with-Us, is present in our curtailed celebrations, our festive reconfiguring, our grieving, and whatever other mix of emotions we bring to this Christmas.
Christmas Blessings to All,
Sharon
