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Greetings for Christmas 2021.

For a child is born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders;

and he is named Wonderful Counselor; Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.     

Is. 9.6        

 

CELEBRATING BIRTHDAYS              

It is the first year in a new parish. Moving in August indicated it would not be long and we would be talking about Advent. The discussion turned quickly; who is making the cake or are we buying one? I thought, what cake? The answers to my unspoken questions were revealed. Holy Trinity Yorkton has a tradition of having a birthday cake for Baby Jesus at the conclusion of the Christmas Eve Service. Guess who was doing cake! Of course, I was only too happy to accommodate.            

Their custom is to bring the cake into the darkened sanctuary, first blazing a path filling the Narthex with light. As the cake came up the isle the children soon gathered in the procession. Tradition would suggest there will be cake for all.            

The cake was decorated with small cut-out gingerbread cookies. Each adorned with happy faces and heart shaped buttons. The top arrangement of the gingerbread was in the shape of a Christmas tree. Circling the cake were the same gingerbread neatly holding hands.            

The fun part was, each child wanted a piece with the gingerbread. Of course. Now how do you quickly convince adults who have always sliced cake in squares to cut out all the outside oval shaped cake first?            

Why not sing happy birthday to Baby Jesus? We sing happy birthday for all people. A time to reflect upon the day we were ushered into the world.            

We live with a variety of traditions used to usher in the birth of the Christ child bringing gladness to the city of God. Each time the reflection of joy comes upon us as we light candles, sing carols announcing this great event the reflection of God’s love shines forth. Some are tears of joy and some that appear as if sadness are really, one’s of remembered joy.

Advent is a time of bringing light into the world. Our Advent candles remind us of this event each year as we light an additional candle week by week, then the Christ Candle on Christmas. Each year as we pass the light form person to person the darkened sanctuary begins to shine brightly with new light.            

The glory of the Lord has come into our presence.  

Blessings for Christmas!  

Brian †