This week’s Clergy Corner
taken from December 22 Bulletin

The Clergy Corner as taken from the 12/22/24 bulletin:

As we count down the hours to Christmas, we keep our focus on the Lord and his role in our lives. The Christmas season is not just one day but lasts for almost two weeks. Hopefully we don’t rush to take down our Christmas lights and throw the trees on the street to be taken away, but we take the time to Rejoice in the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

The Church has the Octave of Christmas, which treats day through January 1st as if it were its own Christmas Day. We also commemorate many great saints, such as St Stephen (December 26th) who was the First Martyr, St John the Apostle and Evangelist (December 27th), the Holy Innocents (December 28th), the Holy Family (typically the Sunday between Christmas and January 1st), and of course, the Blessed Virgin Mary (January 1st).

This is such a rich time of year, the days leading up to, and the days preceding Christmas. Do not let it run by unnoticed, but make the time to prepare for the Lord, and to rejoice in his presence on and after Christmas Day.

O come, divine Messiah!
The world in silence waits the day
When hope shall sing its triumph
And sadness flee away
Dear Savior, haste
Come, come to earth
Dispel the night and show your face
And bid us hail the dawn of grace
O come, divine Messiah!
The world in silence waits the day
When hope shall sing its triumph
And sadness flee away
O Christ, whom nations sigh for
Whom priest and prophet long foretold
Come break the captive fetters
Redeem the long-lost fold
Dear Savior, haste
Come, come to earth
Dispel the night and show your face
And bid us hail the dawn of grace
O come, divine Messiah!
The world in silence waits the day
When hope shall sing its triumph
And sadness flee away

– Fr. Nilsen