From the Rector: Preschool Joy and the Greater Ferias of Advent

21 DECEMBER 2023

I hope your preparations for the coming Christ are bringing joy. I am writing this shortly after our annual Preschool Christmas Gathering, and it was an exciting time. This is the first year we have been able to host the preschool inside the church for a Christmas program since before the pandemic.

The teachers have been working diligently with the children, preparing them to sing four Christmas songs, and the children did a super job. The video is below from our YouTube channel. A special treat this year was the quartet from our choir that serenaded the families with Christmas carols prior to the program. When the choir members began singing from the loft, the families were clearly awestruck with the high quality of our musicians.

When the time came for the children to perform, they sang their songs with gusto. After the first two songs, we took time to hear the Christmas story, after which the children sang Silent Night and Joy to the World. The families were given the opportunity to sing these carols as well, once the children introduced the songs.

The families of the children enjoyed being in the church very much, and many expressed gratitude for the opportunities given by the church and preschool to teach the faith. Now that the Christmas tree and the Nativity Set are in the church, the church is even more beautiful. Many of the parents commented on what a holy space the church is. I want to express my thanks to those of you from St. Mark's who volunteered to usher and work the livestream. Because of your presence, the church could properly welcome all these newcomers to our church.

After the preschool program was finished, the ushers remained behind to chat. We spoke about what a good experience the morning had been, as well as the opportunities we have to minister to the preschool families. We agreed that we are fortunate to have a church such as St. Mark's, and we are very much looking forward to the Christmas masses.

Speaking of masses, there are two more Greater Ferias of Advent left before Christmas arrives - Friday, December 22 and Saturday, December 23. This week at the noon masses we have been hearing the Gospel stories that precede the nativity of Christ. Tuesday we heard about the angel Gabriel's visit to Zechariah and Elizabeth; Wednesday we heard the Annunciation to Mary; and Thursday we heard the Visitation of Mary with Elizabeth. On Friday, Mary's Magnificat is the Gospel, and this Saturday we have the birth of John the Baptist. Amidst all of the holiday busyness, these masses have been a refuge of stillness and peace. They have been the perfect way to prepare for the coming of Jesus Christ this Christmas.

May I be the first to wish you and your loved ones a holy and happy Christmas. I look forward to sharing the birth of Christ with all of you Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Father Paul Lillie +