By Father Casey
On this third day of Christmas, I’m feeling a lot of gratitude, so I hope you’ll indulge this exercise in giving thanks.
To everyone who braved the flash-flooded streets to worship with us on Christmas Eve, thank you. A wet Christmas is a lot less lovely than a white Christmas, and yet you faithfully showed up to celebrate in the flesh the Word made flesh.
To our marvelous Flower Guild, incredible Altar Guild, and amazing choirs, thank you. You created a gorgeous space, lovingly prepared it five times, and filled it with soul-stirring music.
To all the ushers, greeters, acolytes, lectors, chalice bearers, and other volunteers, thank you. I love seeing your faithfulness on display before, during, and after worship – and lots of you served at more than one service this Christmas.
To the clergy who vested and participated this Christmas, thank you. I am humbled to know and serve with such wise and faithful friends. I pray that we never take for granted the remarkable priests and pastors in our midst.
To the producers of our pageant, Allison Blalock and Delynda Moravec, and all the children, parents, and volunteers who participated, thank you. I can’t imagine experiencing Christmas without the joy, humor, and wonder of kids in costumes.
To the hosts of our Christmas Eve reception, especially the Guion family, thank you. You heighten our joy by your thoughtful hospitality. This is a church that knows how to make merry, and I thank God for it.
To the sponsors of our gorgeous new processional banners, Frances and Bob Martin and Bruce and Elaine Culver, thank you. We are blessed to welcome these stunning works of liturgical art, which enable us to boldly carry our mission statement into worship.
To the Vestry for its decision to give away the Christmas loose plate offering, and to the Outreach Committee for choosing the worthy recipients, thank you. It feels fantastic to share our largest offerings of the year with organizations that are doing holy work in the world (Genesis Women’s Shelter and Feed My Starving Children are the this year’s recipients).
Writing these out is helping me stay in Christmas, and not hurry on to the next thing. I hope you, too, can reflect on all that you’re grateful for, and linger in the holy joy of this season. 2025 will bring what it will bring, but we can know the peace proclaimed by the angels through it all, as we follow Christ’s way and live in his truth.
Fr. Casey +