Run, Shepherds, run where Bethlem blest appears,
We bring the best of news, be not dismayed:
A Saviour there is born, more old than years
Amidst Heaven's rolling heights this earth who stayed;
In a poor cottage inned, a Virgin Maid,
A weakling did Him bear, who all upbears,
There is He poorly swaddled, in a manger laid
To whom too narrow swaddlings are our spheres:
Run, Shepherds, run, and solemnize His birth.
This is that night -- no, day grown great with bliss,
In which the power of Satan broken is;
In Heaven be glory, peace unto the Earth,
Thus singing through the air the angels swam,
A cope of stars re-echoed the same.
- William Drummond

Merry Christmas:

We are in the early days of the 12 days of Christmas, which stretch from December 25 to Epiphany eve, or Twelfth Night.

As a meditation for the season, I give you a writing by St. John Chrysostom, who lived in the 4th century, and was considered on of the greatest preachers of all time (indeed, the name Chrysostom means "the golden mouth."

Come then, let us observe the feast. Come, and we shall commemorate the solemn festival. It is a strange manner of celebrating a festival; but truly wondrous is the whole chronicle of the nativity. For this day the ancient slavery is ended, the devil confounded, the demons take to flight, the power of death is broken, paradise is unlocked, the curse is taken away, sin is removed from us, error driven out, truth has been brought back, the speech of kindliness diffused, and spreads on every side, a heavenly way of life has been implanted on the earth, angels communicate with men without fear, and men now hold speech with angels.

Why is this? Because God is now on earth, and man in heaven; on every side all things commingle. He has come on earth, while being whole in heaven; and while complete in heaven, he is without diminution on earth. Though he was God, he became man; not denying himself to be God. Though being the impassable Word, he became flesh; that he might dwell amongst us. He became flesh. He did not become God. He was God. Wherefore he became flesh, so that he whom heaven did not contain, a manger would this day receive. He was placed in a manger, so that he, by whom all things are nourished, may receive an infant’s food from his virgin mother. So, the father of all ages, as an infant at the breast, nestles in the virginal arms, that the magi may more easily see him.
- John Chrysostom

Before the paling of the stars
Before the winter morn
Before the earliest cockcrow
Jesus Christ was born:
Born in a stable
Cradled in a manger
In the world His hands had made
Born a stranger.

Priest and king lay fast asleep
In Jerusalem.
Young and old lay fast asleep
In crowded Bethlehem
Saint and Angel Ox and Ass
Kept a watch together
Before the Christmas daybreak
In the winter weather.

Jesus on his Mother’s breast
In the stable cold,
Spotless Lamb of God was he,
Shepherd of the fold:
Let us kneel with Mary Maid
With Joseph bent and hoary
With Saint and Angel Ox and Ass
To hail the king of glory.
- Christina Rossetti

Debra’s Midweek Meditation
Debra is on vacation this week. The midweek meditation will resume January 3rd.

Daily Morning Prayer:
http://www.episcopalchurchingarrettcounty.org/churchonthewebpage.htm

But where thou dwellest, Lord,
No other thought should be
Once duly welcomed and adored
How should I part with thee?
Bethlehem must lose thee soon, but thou wilt grace
The single heart to by thy sure abiding-place.
- John Keble

This Week at St. James:

Saturday: 11:00 Memorial Liturgy for Marion Norman

Monday: New Year’s Day – church office closed
Tuesday: 7:30 Vestry Admin meeting
Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. Healing Eucharist
Thursday: 9:00 Trip to Washington National Cathedral.

Prayers Etc.

Pam; Dot; Sue; Ray; Prof Art W.; David
Don; Brittany; Jaedon; Don; Tony; Phyllis U.; Owen
Nancy; Jason; Craig; Otis; Rob; Mac; Annabelle
The Parker family; The Lagan family; Bill & Stacey
The Becker family

For the repose of the soul of Marion Norman, and for her family who mourn.
Our seminarian, Laura Brecht and her husband, Lyle.
The children and families of The Ark.
The children and families of Paul’s Place.
For those who are deployed and their families.

In Closing:

God our Father,
You are the guardian and guide of our lives.
Your word is joy.
Your will is life,
Your commands bring peace.

Watch over and guide us
As you did your Son’s earthly family.

Through the celebration of this Christmas season,
Help us to respond to your word and will,
That we may grow together as people of faith
And enjoy the peace of your kingdom.

May Christ, who by his Incarnation gathered into one things earthly and heavenly, fill you with his joy and peace; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. AMEN

Pax et Bonum,
Loree+

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