Good day,

Well…Sault Ste Marie is getting its first snowfall of the season.   There’ve been a few flakes now and then but this is most definitely a “snowfall”.  My dog is going to love rolling in it!

Happenings:

Wednesday, Nov.27, 7pm on Zoom: Advent Bible Study. We’ll be “debriefing” this past Sunday’s Gospel of John reading (John 18:33-37).  Please send me an email if you don’t yet have the link (susan.montague2@gmail.com). See you then. 

Thursday, Nov.28, 11:30am at the cathedral is the annual Anglican Women’s Corporate Communion. The worship service will be followed by a light lunch.

Saturday, Nov.30, 11am – 3pm at the Trinity Centre is a Christmas Market. Chili lunch for just $7, craft tables, bake table, “new to you”, jams and pickles and more…

A Liturgical Note For You:

Advent begins this Sunday, December 1. It is the beginning of our Christian calendar – a time of joy and anticipation…the anticipation of the King we just celebrated yesterday (Sunday, Nov.24 – Last Sunday after Pentecost: The Reign of Christ). Advent begins a theological arc that does not end at Christmas. We are journeying toward The Baptism of the Lord. (More on that some other time). 

Right now, it’s important for you to know that we are not simply “counting down” until Christmas. Your worship spaces absolutely should not look like the Christmas season has already begun. Christmas begins on the eve of December 25. It is not Christmas. It is Advent. More below…

Decorating Your Church for Christmas: Since the Advent season is very important in our ongoing transformation as Christians, how can we be true to this liturgical season – that is, how can we not look like we’ve skipped from “The Reign of Christ” to “Christmas” in our worship spaces? When should we be going all out with the Christmas decorations?  There is actually an answer to this: December 17.  Okay, so why December 17? This is the octave before Christmas Eve – the final thematic phase of Advent when we turn our hearts and minds toward the anticipation of the nativity of our Lord.  Beginning on Dec.17, the ancient “O Antiphons” (more on these some other time) are used during Evening Prayer services when one antiphon is said/chanted before and after the Magnificat.  Practically speaking, the date of December 17 means that we should decorate our worship spaces with “Christmas” stuff no earlier than after our worship services on the 3rd Sunday of Advent this year. This does not mean we can’t put out any decorations at all but anything specifically Christmas themed – especially the Nativity Scene – really shouldn’t make an appearance until closer to Christmas. Let’s let the Advent Wreath be the eye-catcher during Advent.  

For Your Devotions:

Saturday, November 30th is the Holy Day of St. Andrew the Apostle. In Greek, Andrew’s name means “manly.” In the Synoptic Gospels, Andrew and his brother Peter were called to “fish for people.”  Legend has it that Andrew was crucified on an x-shaped cross which is why there is an ‘x’ on the Scottish flag since he is their patron saint. To read more:   https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Andrew

In the hope of Christ,

Susan