2006 First Sunday after Christmas

Today was the First Sunday after Christmas and the Seventh Day of the Twelve Days of Christmas. The propers (selected Bible readings for the Epistle and Gospel, as well as the Collect for the Day) for Christmas and the following twelve days (culminating in the feast of the Epiphany) invite us to reflect on the Incarnation of God as a human being: "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." (John 1:14). In Christ, God enters human history and identifies fully with the human condition. The traditional colors of the season are White or Gold, symbolizing joy in the light of day.

Christmas comes just after the Winter Solstice, from this day forward days become longer, nights shorter. Although there is cold ahead, we look towards the warmth of summer. The weather today in Alpine was almost perfect: clear and sunny, about 50°F when the service started and 65°F when it ended. By the time the service started, we had 22 attendees.

Today marked the Sixteenth Sunday of the Confirmation – Reception classes. Today Father Acker discussed the Season of Light. Almost concurrent with the beginning of our Christian Year is the beginning of the Calendar Year. Given the chance to start a New Year, we resolve to do better this coming year than the last. We see the earth getting darker and darker as the year goes on, by December 21st, the Winter Solstice, the darkest day of the year, the world is pretty bleak, particularly in northern climes. We are ready for something to celebrate. The Romans, before Christ, celebrated the Feast of the Unconquered Sun on the day the sun began to reconquer the forces of darkness.

Early Christians needed something to celebrate every bit as much as pagan. Around the calendar, they co-opted pagan feast times and gave them new meaning. Clearly there was a place for the Feast of the Unconquered Son. What more appropriate day to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior than on the day the sun began to reconquer the forces of darkness. For Jesus told us, “I am the light of the world.” In Chapter One, Verse Nine, John tells us of Jesus, “That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” Everywhere, Jesus is likened unto light and Christmas is about God sending light into our darkness.

Jan Macauley read the Epistle for today, which came from Paul’s letter to the people of Galatia, starting at the First Verse of the Fourth Chapter. Paul reminds us, as well as those long gone in Galatia, we are to do God’s will, but through our Lord, we are not servants, but children of God, for “Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; but is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: but when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

The Gospel for today came from the Gospel according to Saint Matthew, the First Chapter, beginning at the Eighteenth Verse. This gospel tells the story behind the Virgin Birth of Jesus. “The birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: and knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Sermon
Today is the Seventh Day of Christmas (Seven Swans a Swimming) and the First Sunday in Christmastide. God sent His Son to the earth to be a Savior unto us. He has a plan for each of us. The question is, will we follow that plan, or ignore Him?

God had a plan for Joseph and Mary. They came from a small village, probably seventy families, called Nazareth. Joseph was pretty clear he had not “come unto Mary” and yet she was clearly with Child. He, “being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.” He was ready to just let her go to her cousin Elizabeth’s house and let her have the child that clearly was not his. He would find another wife and go on with life. God, on the other hand, had a plan. Through an angel, He shared the plan with Joseph. Joseph listened and followed the plan, down to the letter of the name Jesus.

God has a plan for each of us. It was revealed to us in baptism. We were made new and given both help and power. Do you remember God’s plan? Are you still following God’s plan? Is this New Year a good time to renew your promise to follow God’s will?

Birthdays and Anniversaries
Today we celebrated Hap Arnold’s 57th birthday. There were no reported anniversaries.

New Name Tags on Sunday
We had no new nametags today. Jordan’s grandmother, Carol, joined us today, for which we were grateful.

After Church Hospitality
We had a very special treat today. Alice Acker’s sister Mary Hollis, who lives in the San Francisco Bay area with her husband Frank sent down cookies for us.
Perhaps unknown to Mary, she sent one of the Beadle’s very favorites, those little white cookies with Christmas trees all the way through. It turns out they are not only one the Beadle’s very favorites, but also one of Betty Cook’s favorites.

Father Acker once again made the Beadle’s day, in this case his birthday, with his excellent homemade lemonade. Tim’s House of Coffee not only provided freshly brewed coffee, but also tea and hot chocolate, as well as sodas.

People in our Prayers

God’s Guidance
Shamim Gray – Please continue to pray for God’s help and guidance for Shamim as she takes care of her three young children, Zack, Aaron and Nadia while her husband Obra is in Iraq and pray for Obra’s safe return. Pray also that their entire family will come to know God’s love, which can bring them happiness and strength by following the clear instructions He has given us through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Commander O is home on two weeks R+R at present, please pray he will grow closer to his family during that time and be refreshed to safely complete his combat tour.

For all those of you who wanted to see Commander O, here he is on R+R in Honolulu this past week with his kids. Shamim is taking the pictures, which explains why she is not in them.

Travel
Ken is visiting relatives.

Sick
Gene Hunt has mostly recovered from his hip surgery; but spends most of his time in his wheel chair. Evelyn comes most days to see him at Chase Healthcare Center when her back is behaving itself.

Barbara Emrich has moved around quite a bit over the last couple of months. She is now at the Jacob Health Center. “Not an ideal arrangement” but she is doing quite well after her diabetes has put her in the hospital several times over the last few months. She was writing letters in the dining room when Father Acker visited her last week.

Miney Farrell, below right, has mostly recovered from her minor stroke, please continue to pray for relief of the blurred vision in one eye.

Also at Evening Shade Home, Katie Benjamin, above left, is doing well. Although she says sometimes she feels 96, she sure does not act it!

Donna Dingwall is doing much better. She is grateful for your prayers. Please keep her and her family in your prayers.

Lorraine Winkles, below, is an “Anglican Catholic” she tells everyone. Of course they ask, “What is that?” and Lorraine get to tell what it means to be an Anglican who follows the ancient teachings of the undivided Church. Lorraine hasn’t been up to driving to Alpine for many years, but she now lives close by in Blossom Valley.
 
Like to Sing?
Walt and Fran volunteered to lead a new music group at church as soon as Walt is far enough along with his recovery. We may not have a choir, but we will have a music group to lead us. If you are interested, let the Beadle know so he can put together a list for Walt and Fran.

Front Door Lending Library
The Lending Library has some new Annotated Holy Communion Books. These books have the Prayer Book Holy Communion service on the left page and an explanation on the right page. They are a great way to learn about the service. Pick one up when you come in and use it for the service, if you like.

Craig Maxwell and Greg Chase have picked up some new CS Lewis books, one of the most widely read Christian writers and certainly the most famous Anglican writer, as well as an eclectic group of other books. Please feel free to borrow the books for as long as you like, all Greg and Craig ask is that when you are done with them return them so someone else can read them.

The Lending Library is a resource you need to use. Most of the books are short, understandable, but very powerful. Also, if you have any books you would like share, please bring them in.

Personal 1928 Books of Common Prayer
While not strictly part of the Front Door Lending Library, we have some personal 1928 Prayer Books. A church in Florida disposed of a nice quantity of personal hardback 1928 BCPs in excellent to new condition, which we were lucky enough to acquire. There are some on the Front Table. We have plenty, although we only put out a half dozen at a time. They are yours to take home as your very own. The only thing the parish asks is that if you ever go to the dark side, please return it. Otherwise, it is yours forever.

Coming Up Next Year
The pre-service lessons towards Confirmation or Reception have been very well received. Your Beadle believes he has prevailed on Father Acker to continue the classes indefinitely. As the Confirmation – Reception subjects are completed, he will be discussing portions of the Bible, as well as Christian history and Anglican history in particular. We have some study Bible for those who are interested. Please contact the Beadle at thebeadle@mac.com for your copy.

Twelve Days of Christmas and Epiphany
The Eighth Day of Christmas, 1 January 2007, New Years Day, is the celebration of the Circumcision of Christ. Friday is the Twelfth Day of Christmas. Saturday is the Feast of the Epiphany. There will be Holy Communion services at Victoria Chapel at 0930 (9:30 am) on all three days.

On Friday night, we will celebrate the Twelfth Night of Christmas at Victoria House at 1830 (6:30 pm) with a very short prayer service and dessert. Alice Acker is making a trifle, a force not to be trifled with the Beadle might add, and there will be sherry and wines in mass, also non-alcoholic beverages for those like the Beadle who cannot drink alcohol.

Next Sunday
Next Sunday is the Second Sunday after Christmas and due to timing of the calendar First Sunday after Epiphany. The Confirmation – Reception classes are back. Frankly, it doesn’t get any better than this!

See you next week on Sunday!

A version of the Beadle’s Report is available at:
http://web.mac.com/thebeadle/iWeb/BeadleBlog/Blog/Blog.html