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The Seasons of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany | The Feast of Saint Nicholas

The Season of Advent

 The season of Advent is a special time when we not only prepare to celebrate Christ's birth, but also to look toward to His second coming in glory.  Advent celebrates the beginning and the end.  It marks the beginning of the church year, yet gives us a glimpse into the glorious future of God.  For it is only after we consider Jesus' second coming in glory that we are prepared to celebrate his first coming, helpless in a manger.

The Advent Wreath

 Sometimes the words of the Christmas story become too familiar and predictable.  We've heard them all before, and rather than truly listen, our minds are filled with thoughts of the present--not the past.  We may feel removed from the real people and events of two thousand years ago. 

Each Sunday in Advent, a candle will be lighted bringing us closer to Christmas and the celebration of Christ's birth. 

Advent I - Hope
Advent II - Peace
Advent III - Joy
Advent IV - Love

Sundays in Advent
Advent 1 - December 1st

  8AM Holy Eucharist - Rite I
  10AM Holy Eucharist - Rite II
    "The First Nowell"
"Hope"

Advent 2 - December 8th
  8AM Holy Eucharist - Rite I
  10AM Holy Eucharist - Rite II
    "Peace"

Advent 3 - December 15th
  8AM Holy Eucharist - Rite I
  10AM Holy Eucharist - Rite II
    "Joy"

Advent 4 - December 22nd
  9AM Lessons and Carols
  10:30PM Christmas Music
  11PM Midnight Mass - Rite II
    "Love"
 

The Season of Christmas

 A twelve-day celebration of an event that happened more than 2000 years ago - the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Because of that blessed event, we have been given meaning and purpose in this life; and the promise of eternal life in the next.  That is why we sing, "Joy to the World, the Lord is come...!"

Christmas Eve
Tuesday, December 24th

  10:30 PM Christmas Eve worship
Holy Eucharist - Rite II
     

            

Other Seasonal Activities

 Tree Trimming
Sunday, December 1st
Everyone is invited to join our children and youth to decorate the Christmas tree.  We meet in the parish hall after the 10AM service to decorate.

St. Nicholas
 Sunday, December 8th
 St. Nicholas visits St. Peter's at the 8am service and the 10am service with gifts for all.

Children's Program
 Sunday, December 15th
The chilcren will present "A Shepher's Story" at the 10am service.
Lessons and Carols
 Sunday, December 22nd
December 22nd will be a service of Lessons and Carols at 9am.  This will be the only service.  The "Greening of the church" will be after the service.

 Christmas Eve
 Tuesday, December 24th
Christmas Eve service will begin at 10:30pm with Christmas music then continue with Holy Eucharist at 11pm.

 Epiphany Sunday
 Sunday, January 5th
We will have a visit from the Three Wise Men.

There will not be a Christmas Day or New Year's Eve Service

The Season of Epiphany

Epiphany means "showing forth", and the Epiphany season begins with the revelation of Jesus to the Gentiles, specifically the magi (wise men) of Matthew's Gospel.  Epiphany proclaims Jesus as the Savior of the whole world and the Church as the new people of God, with God's salvation promises now applying to all the peoples of the earth.

 A season of four to nine weeks, from the Feast of the Epiphany (Jan. 6) through the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. The length of the season varies according to the date of Easter. The gospel stories of this season describe various events that manifest the divinity of Jesus. The coming of the Magi is celebrated on the Epiphany. The Baptism of our Lord is observed on the Sunday after Epiphany. The gospels for the other Sundays of the Epiphany season describe the wedding at Cana, the calling of the disciples, and various miracles and teachings of Jesus. The Last Sunday after the Epiphany is always devoted to the Transfiguration. Jesus' identity as the Son of God is dramatically revealed in the Transfiguration gospel, as well as the gospel of the baptism of Christ. We are called to respond to Christ in faith through the showings of his divinity recorded in the gospels of the Epiphany season.

Sunday, January 5th - Epiphany Sunday

  8AM Holy Eucharist Rite I
  10AM Holy Eucharist Rite II
The Magi visit and present their gifts to the Christ Child

Religious Symbolism of "The 12 Days of Christmas"

1 True Love refers to God
2 Turtle Doves refers to the Old and New Testaments
3 French Hens refers to Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
4 Calling Birds refers to the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5 Golden Rings refers to the first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which gives the history of man's fall from grace.
6 Geese A-laying refers to the six days of creation
7 Swans A-swimming refers to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments
8 Maids A-milking refers to the eight beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing refers to the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 Lords A-leaping refers to the ten commandments
11 Pipers Piping refers to the eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming refers to the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed

The Gifts of the Magi

 Gold:  The possession of royalty/Kingship.  Symbolic of Jesus as the King of Kings.

Frankincense:  Resin of the "arbor thuris" (the incense tree).  It was used by the priest in sacrifices.  The image is from Isaiah's description of God's Throne room--a smoke-filled room.  Symbolic of Jesus as the Great High Priest and of his being sacrificed for our sins.

Myrrh:  Resin from leaves of the "cistus rose".  The oil is used to make perfumes and some cosmetics.  It could be mixed with wine to serve as a pain killer, but was most frequently used as a spice to anoint dead bodies for burial.  Symbolic of Jesus' anointing before his death.

The Magi:  Probably from Persia, may or may not be kings; may have served in the king's court.

Considered scholars or "wise men", very knowledgeable about the sciences and astrology.

Believed that any abnormal action in the heavens (i.e. the appearance of a bright star) meant the birth of someone significant or some significant event has taken place.  This is why they followed with interest the star.  Brought their gifts because they assumed it would be a king.

Probably did not arrive at Bethlehem on the night Jesus was born.  It may have been as long as two years later.  They came to the "house" where the "child" was, as opposed to the shepherds who saw a "babe" in a "manger".

Visited King Herod before they found Jesus to inquire about his birth.  Herod told them to return to him when they found Jesus so that he, too, could worship him.  But the magi were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, but to leave by another way.  Herod's intent was to kill Jesus rather than worship him.

The magi were Gentiles (non-Jews).  They are significant because they are a reminder that Jesus was born (and died) for all people.  Epiphany means "showing forth" or "revealed".