Before I took the music and liturgy position at Saint Benedict’s last fall, I asked around about the congregation’s singing. Everyone told me what a strong singing tradition this parish had. One of the hardest things about last Christmas here was not being able to hear all of your voices singing your favorite carols. All year long, I’ve hoped and prayed for the time when we’d all be able to sing those Christmas songs together–I just knew you all would raise the roof with joyful singing.
I wasn’t wrong! Thank you for the wonderful celebration we’ve had so far and the parts each of you have played in preparing the church for the season, lighting candles, receiving visitors, shepherding children, proclaiming the word, participating in the responses, leading the music, assisting with Communion, running the slides and the sound system, bringing up the gifts, covering all of us and our priests in prayer, and generally being a joyous and welcoming presence to everyone who comes to Saint Benedict’s this Christmas. I am truly grateful to be among you and feel so fortunate to work here.
The best part about our Christmas celebration, though? It’s just getting started. The Christmas season officially runs on for a while. For eight days, we have the octave of Christmas, each day of which is just as much Christmas as December 25. Then the Christmas season continues on through Epiphany, finally ending with the Baptism of Our Lord on January 9. So leave up your Christmas tree and keep singing those carols, just like we’ll be doing here at church. We’ve been waiting for Christmas for a long time, and now it’s time to celebrate! Grace and peace to each of you and to your families this season.