Rector's Note: It's Never Too Late

Dear Saints,

This year, I really wanted to get a few Christmas lights up outside our house. Given that we had just moved, this was either ambitious or insane. For to do it would require finding our Christmas lights, finding someone to watch our 16 month old, and finding a break in the perpetual December rain. The effort seemed even more futile as Christmas approached, because how much time would we have to enjoy them anyway?

But then I was reminded of one of my favorite Episcopal traditions -- that we celebrate 12 days of Christmas. Christmas isn’t over on the 25th; that’s when we’re just getting started! And so I found the lights, my son took a nap at an opportune time, and we embraced our inner Oregonian and put the lights up in the rain. It makes me so happy every time I see them.

At Christmas time, it often feels like there’s not enough time to do everything. We just want a little more time. But it’s not too late to take a moment for what matters most. Often these are the things our souls need, like finding a moment of peace and calm, doing something that brings joy or connection, or finding joy in giving to or serving someone else.

In the coming week we will have opportunities to do just that. Our All Y’all Pageant is this Sunday at the 10:15am service, followed by a visit from the baby goats. Then, we will have beautiful Christmas Eve Candlelight services on Friday, December 24, a joyful Christmas Day service at 10:00am, and Christmas Sweater Sunday on December 26!

Blessings in the rest of your Advent as we near Christmas and its twelve days. I hope somewhere in there you find time for the thing you want and need.

Sincerely,

Andria+