I must admit to usually feeling a bit sorry for myself around this time of year. "Is there anything left for me to say about Christmas?" I ask. "I have previously spoken about the Baby Jesus. I have spoken about the manger, the shepherds, the wise men, Mary and Joseph, the inn and the innkeeper. I even spoke one year about the nappies in which Mary wrapped her child. You name it, I've spoken about it." While looking through our Christmas service orders for this year, I realised that while I had spoken about the wise men, I had not specifically spoken about the star that they followed. The star will this year be the focus of the address during our "Christmas with the children of the Sunday School." It was while watching, a few years ago, a CD produced by the BBC, that my attention was drawn to the fact that it is now possible for scientists to reconstruct what could be seen in the skies of the Near East in the Year 6 BC, namely an unusual conjunction (= the appearance of two or more objects in the sky close to each other). This particular conjunction, involving the proximity of Jupiter (the king’s star) and Saturn (the star of the Jews) occurs only once every several thousand years. You are welcome to come and hear more at "Christmas with the children of the Sunday School" (dates and times listed below) DWB.
Saturday December 22nd at St John's, Ayrford, 8.00pm
"Christmas with the children of the Sunday School"
Sunday December 23rd at Immanuel, Hawkesdale, 11.00am
"Service with Holy Communion for the fourth Sunday in Advent"
Sunday December 23rd at Trinity, Warrnambool, 7.30pm
"Christmas with the children of the Sunday School"
Christmas Eve at Immanuel, Hawkesdale, 7.30pm
"Christmas with the children of the Sunday School"
Christmas Eve at Trinity, Warrnambool, 10.00pm
"Carols by Candlelight" (Parish Service)
The role of Joseph in the Christmas story is pitifully undervalued. He knew that the child Mary was carrying was not his. He nevertheless reacted with honour, decency and dignity and did not want her to come to any harm. Despite what to him must have seemed like a massive act of betrayal, Joseph was concerned only for Mary's well being. Even though he knew that he was not the Father, Joseph was prepared to make it appear as if he was the one who had made Mary pregnant and had left her in the lurch. You are welcome to come and hear the full story at our Christmas Day Service.
Christmas Day at Trinity, Warrnambool, 9.00am
"Christmas Day Parish Service with Holy Communion"
The Gospel for the first Sunday after Christmas (Luke 2:41-52) is the only account we have of Jesus between the first months of his life and his later appearance as a thirty year old adult. Come along and hear more about the important significance of this incident.
Sunday December 30th, the First Sunday after Christmas, at Trinity, Warrnambool, 9.00am
Service of the Word
Sunday December 30th, the First Sunday after Christmas, at Immanuel, Hawesdale, 9.00am
Service of the Word
Sunday December 30th, the First Sunday after Christmas, at St John's, Ayrford, 11.30am
Service of the Word.
Monday, December 31st, New Year's Eve at Immanuel, Hawkesdale, 7.30pm
Service with Holy Communion
Tuesday, January 1st, New Year's Day at Trinity, Warrnambool, 9.00am
Service with Holy Communion
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