Advent
And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. (St Luke 1.31.)
The beginning of the church year, Advent is the period starting four weeks before Christmas. During this time, we anticipate the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Beginning on the First Sunday of Advent, the Advent Wreath (see the picture, left) is progressively lit one candle at a time. This is symbolic of the approaching light we see as we get closer to Christmas Day.
The Advent Wreath Daily Devotions (PDF)
Resource for the use of an Advent Wreath at home, including how to make and use your own Advent Wreath
Another great resource for families this Advent is The Jesse Tree [external link]. This set of activities includes Bible stories and crafts for each day leading up to Christmas. Come along to our YouTube channel to join Fr. Chris.
Christmas
Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given. Isaiah 9. 6.
Christmas (Dec 25) is the day when we celebrate the birth of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. In the church calendar, Christmastide begins on Christmas Eve and continues the next 12 days until January 5th - the day before the Epiphany of our Lord. Each year, the typical Christmas services are as below.
To ensure this year's services are the same, check out the "Service Times" page in December.
December 24th Advent IV – Morning Services
8:00 a.m. The Holy Eucharist
10:00 a.m. Morning Prayer
December 24th Christmas Eve
4:00 p.m. The Holy Eucharist and Blessing of the Creche
11:00 p.m. The Holy Eucharist
Christmas Day Monday, December 25th
10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
5:00 p.m. Evening Prayer
Feast of St. Stephen the Martyr Tuesday, December 26th
8:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist
5:00 p.m. Evening Prayer
Feast of St. John the Evangelist Wednesday, December 27th
8:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist
5:00 p.m. Evening Prayer
Feast of the Holy Innocents Thursday, December 28th
8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
5:00 p.m. Evening Prayer
Sunday After Christmas Day, December 31st
8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
9:15 a.m. Morning Prayer
11:00 a.m. Christmas Lessons & Carols – St. Philip’s (Lynch Street) with Pot-luck to follow
5:00 p.m. Evening Prayer
The First Sunday After the Epiphany, January 7th
8:00 a.m. The Holy Eucharist
9:15 a.m. Morning Prayer
10:00 a.m. The Holy Eucharist with the Sunday School’s Epiphany Pageant
5:00 p.m. Evening Prayer