Spirit of the Eagle – December 2020
Spirit of the Eagle
St. John the Evangelist ACC
Spiritual Tidbits & Rector’s Reflections for
December 2020 from Father Tim
December has arrived marking new liturgical Church Year in its first week and closing out the commonly-used Gregorian calendar of seasons with its last week. December is, of course, packed full of Holy Days which revolve around Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. For centuries, Christmas was celebrated not as a single day, but as a whole season in parts of the world, beginning with the 24th of December, Christmas Eve. Some think the practice of celebrating the evening before the big day is possibly a holdover from ancient Jewish reckoning. Among earlier Jews, a day began at six in the evening and ran until six the following evening. Remember the words of Moses: “An evening and a morning were the first day”? Christmas means “Christ-mass.” Although the date is a guess, the tradition of observing it goes back to at least the fourth century. Under the influence of the church, Christian traditions began replacing pagan solstice festivals throughout Europe. Many times the more innocent pagan practices (bringing in a Yule log, decorating with holly and etc.) were carried over into the Christ-mass observance, transfigured with new meaning. In our own day it’s not hard to notice how pagan practices are making a strong return by those who do not accept Christ. Pagan’s get an early jump on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day by beginning their festivals pretty much right after their pagan Halloween parties. From the past numerous warm memories have been passed down about Christmas Eve. In his memoirs, Sir John Reresby told how he invited his poor tenants for a feast on Christmas Eve, 1682. During the first World War, the famous Christmas Truce began for many troops on Christmas Eve, 1914, demonstrating the power for good that is inherent in the season. Christmas Eve’s of the past were celebrated with roaring fires, story-telling, feasting, drinking, and dancing. The celebrations continued on for twelve days after Christmas known as Christmastide, or Twelvenight, which climaxed on Twelfth Night. Twelfth Night itself was forever solidified in popular culture when William Shakespeare used it as the setting for one of his most famous stage plays, titled Twelfth Night. I pray this year your Christmastide is full of warm memories. ~ Father Tim
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Is there someone in your life who does not usually attend Christmas Eve Mass? Do they spend Christmas Eve in pagan celebrations or last minute shopping? December is the month of hope, joy, peace, love, and the coming of the Christ-child. It is a beautiful season to speak with a lost soul about the gift that matters for all eternity, invite them to attend Saint John’s with you, and humbly kneel giving thanks to the Babe in the manger. ~ Father Tim
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Sir Walter Scott described the festive air of Christmas Eve in a poem:
On Christmas Eve, the bells were rung;
On Christmas Eve, the mass was sung.
…
The damsel donned her kirtle sheen,
the hall was dressed with holly green;
…
All hail’d with uncontroll’d delight,
And general voice the happy night
That to the cottage, as the crown,
Brought tidings of salvation down.
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Nine Lessons and Carols
December is the month for the Nine Lessons and Carols, also known as the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, and Service of Nine Lessons and Carols. This service will be celebrated at St. John’s on Christmas Eve just before the Holy Mass. The story of the fall of humanity, the promise of the Messiah, and the birth of Jesus will be told in nine short Bible readings, or lessons, from Genesis, the prophetic books, and the Gospels, interspersed with the singing of Christmas carols and hymns. This is the perfect night to invite family and friends! ~ Father Tim
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Therefore let us repent and pass from ignorance to knowledge, from foolishness to wisdom, from licentiousness to self-control, from injustice to righteousness, from godlessness to God. ~ S. Clement of Alexandria, Confessor and Doctor, feast day 4th of December
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Just a friendly reminder that our Annual Meeting has been postponed until January!
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When we speak about wisdom, we are speaking about Christ. When we speak about virtue, we are speaking about Christ. When we speak about justice, we are speaking about Christ. When we speak about peace, we are speaking about Christ. When we speak about truth and life and redemption, we are speaking about Christ. ~ St. Ambrose, Bishop, Confessor, and Doctor
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St. John December Ordo Kalendar
Wednesday, the 2nd of December at 6:30 PM, Evening Prayer
Sunday, the 6th of December at 10:30 AM, Advent II, St. Nicholas Visit & Coffee Hour!
Wednesday, the 9th of December at 6:30 PM, Evening Prayer
Sunday, the 13th of December at 10:30 AM, Advent III
Wednesday, the 16th of December at 6:30 PM, Evening Prayer
Sunday, the 20th of December at 10:30 AM, Advent IV
Wednesday, the 23rd of December at 6:30 PM, Evening Prayer
Thursday, the 24th of December at 4:30 PM, Nine Lessons and Carols
Thursday, the 24th of December at 5:30 PM, Christmas Eve Mass
Friday, the 25th of December at 10:30 AM, Nativity of our Lord
Sunday, the 27th of December at 10:30 AM, St. John, Ap.,EV.
Wednesday, the 30th of December at 6:30 PM, Evening Prayer
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Many, many people hereabouts are not becoming Christians for one reason only: there is nobody to make them Christians. ~ S. Francis Xavier, Confessor, feast day the 3rd day of December
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December Birthdays & Anniversaries
Coraline Parker Bock – Birthday – December 3
Jim Barnett – Birthday – December 3
Fr. Timothy Butler – Birthday – December 4
Brittany & Joel Sams – Anniversary – December 14
Paige Bock – Birthday – December 17
Michael T. Whalen – Birthday – December 22
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The seeking of Jesus Christ, and the quest for chivalry combined, lead directly to one place only: Anglican-Catholicism. Courage, honor, courtesy, justice, and a readiness to help and defend the weak and the poor. Welcome to the Anglican Catholic Church. ~ Father Timothy Butler