December 24, 2008
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
On this holy night, we ponder the mystery of the Christ child born to show forth God's love and bring salvation to the world. In the days after Christmas in the season known as Christmastide, we continue to reflect on the mystery of Emmanuel, God-with-us.
THEME FOR THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS
The readings for Sunday draw out in further depth the mystery of God dwelling among us in human form: "the Word became flesh and lived among us." In the Collect we pray: "Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen."
The reading from Isaiah expresses the joy that comes with God's revelation: I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations." (Isaiah 61:10-62:3)
Psalm 147 echoes the theme of joy characteristic of the children of God, and which prefigures the themes of Mary's Song known as the Magnificat: "How good it is to sing praises to our God! how pleasant it is to honor him with praise!The LORD rebuilds Jerusalem; he gathers the exiles of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He counts the number of the stars and calls them all by their names. Great is our LORD and mighty in power; there is no limit to his wisdom. The LORD lifts up the lowly, but casts the wicked to the ground ... But the LORD has pleasure in those who fear him, in those who await his gracious favor."
In his letter to the Galatians, Paul speaks of the fullness of God's revelation in Christ: "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!' So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God." (Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7)
In the Gospel reading, the evangelist John uses the Greek concept of "Logos" (Word) to speak of the mystery of God becoming human: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it ... And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth." (John 1:1-18)
Please join us for worship at our Christmas Eve services this evening and for worship this Sunday at 10:30 am and 6 pm.
Prayerful wishes for a Merry Christmas,
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Sincerely,
David A. Killian |
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worship services for
The First Sunday after Christmas
December 28, 2008
Sunday, December 28, at 10:30 am - Sermon: The Rev. Moses Sowale
Sunday, December 28, at 6:00 pm - Preacher: The Rev. Leslie K. Sterling
Events at All Saints Parish
3:40 pm Music of the All Saints Schola
4:00 pm Festal Choral Eucharist A family service for all ages
Celebrant: The Rev. Leslie K. Sterling
Preacher: The Rev. David A. Killian
10:30 pm Choral Music for Christmas & Carol Singing
11:00 pm Solemn Festal Choral Eucharist
Celebrant: The Rev. Leslie K. Sterling
Preacher: The Rev. David A. Killian
There are no services on December 25, Christmas Day
Remembering John O'Donohue - Celtic Mini-Retreat Saturday, January 3, 3:00 - 4:30 pm. John O'Donohue, poet, mystic, author of Anam Cara and other books, and inspired teacher of thousands in Ireland and around the world, passed away on January 3, 2008. John was a good friend of the Celtic community at All Saint, having given three lectures here in recent years. This retreat marks the first anniversary of his death and will be a time to honor John's memory with readings from his work, recordings of his poems, and music. No fee. Please click here for more information.
3 Kings Party: Celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany with food, fellowship and fun. Tuesday, January 6, 2009, 5:00-7:00 pm. Cost: $5 per person or $20 per family. For reservations, contact Becky Taylor: reled@allsaintsbrookline.org or 617-738-1810 ext. 104.
Men's Group will meet next Sunday, January 10, 2009 at 8:00 am to discuss Heroic Leadership by Chris Lowney. Click here for more information or email Peter Stringham.
Please click here for the booklet "Your Kingdom Come" with information on our parish's involvement with the MDGs.
Click here for information about stewardship giving and the "Celebrate - Give Thanks" brochure.
web resources
For "All Saints Smiles" and news about events, activities, programs, ministries and the staff of our parish, please click on the All Saints web site: www.allsaintsbrookline.org.
For a Schedule of Worship services, please click here.
For information about our Church School for pre-school to grade 12, click here.
For information about Adult learning opportunities, click here.
For information about the Beacon Street Fellowship for those in their 20s and 30s, please click here.
To see the current issue of Saints Alive, our newsletter, please click here.
To browse past issues of the All Saints Weekly, click here.
We want your feedback!
Please tell us :
Please let Barbara know at office@allsaintsbrookline.org. THANK YOU!
All Saints Parish • 1773 Beacon Street • Brookline, MA 02445 • 617-738-1810
For the Collect of the Day, Scripture Readings, and Psalm, 
There is no Story from Becky Taylor, Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministry this week. She will be back with a story next week.