Keeping the Twelve Days of Christmas
Christmas Eve and Day: Illumine your tree lights for the first time at sunset. Place the infant Jesus
in your creche (nativity/manger scene). Invite someone to worship with you on
Christmas Eve (8pm). Participate in Giving to Christ at Christmas. Remember God's greatest gift, Jesus, as you unwrap your gifts. (No repeat worship
celebration will be held on Christmas day.)
December 26, Feast of St. Stephen: Read the account of the stoning of Stephen, the first Christian martyr (Acts
6:8-7:60). Sing the carol Good King Wenceslas. Pray for all Christians who are persecuted or killed for their faith.
December 27, Feast of St. John: Remember how John was the beloved disciple. Give thanks for the gift of God's
salvation. Read and pray John 1:1-18.
December 28, The Holy Innocents: Read the account of the slaughter of the baby boys at Bethlehem by King Herod
(Matthew 2:13-18). Pray for all children who are victims of war, violence and
abuse. Make a contribution to an orphanage or homeless shelter. Phone, write
or visit your godchildren. Join Beloved ones as we sing carols and play instrumental
music at 2pm for the residents of Oakdale Heights. For more information, contact
Catherine Atwood.
December 29: Give a party for family, friends and those who are alone this holiday season.
Pray for the lonely. Fusion will gather this night at 6pm in Beloved Garden to rehearse pageant lines and
celebrate with a gift exchange.
December 30: Give thanks for the foster-fatherhood of St. Joseph (Matthew 2:13-15, 19-33).
Make a donation to a foster care or adoption agency. Pray for all runaway, abandoned
or aborted children.
December 31: Offer praises for the bounty our Lord has shared with you this year. Write
or phone a long-lost friend.
January 1, The Holy Name of Jesus: Attend 9:30am worship and bring your Calendar, PDA or Planner to have it blessed.
Remember how Jesus was named and circumcised on the 8th day (Luke 2:21). Give
thanks for the motherhood of Mary from whom our Savior received his humanity.
Pray for your parents (and your own ministry of parenting).
January 2: Keep your Christmas lights burning and intrigue the neighbors.
January 3: Remember the Holy Family's flight into Egypt to save Jesus' life (Matthew 2:14-15,
18-23). Give thanks for the blessing of your home. Contribute to Samaritan House
and ministries that assist the homeless and pray for all who are without homes.
January 4: Remember to give your heart to the Christ Child. A true offering of self...time,
talent and treasure...is most pleasing to God.
January 5, Twelfth Night: Give Christmas gifts today or tomorow as Christians do in much of the world.
January 6, Epiphany (Old Christmas): Remember the foreign kings who sought to worship the Christ Child (Matthew 2:1-12).
Extinguish the lights on your Christmas tree and begin to remove the Christmas
decorations from your home. Keep your creche up through February 2, The Feast
of the Presentation (Luke 2:22-40). On that night, surround it with lighted candles
and give a party for family and friends.
January 7: Pageant participants will gather to rehearse at 10am in the worship space.
Celebrate the gift of Emmanuel later that day at the annual Harbin Open House.
Drop in for Christmas refreshments between the hours of 5 and 8pm, touch rocks
from Bethelem as you view the Christmas putz (creche) and visit with Bishop Gary
and Judy Gloster. Need directions? Please email.
January 8, Epiphany Pageant Sunday: Don't miss this wonderful 9:30am Worship Celebration as beloved ones of all
ages recount for us the wonderful gift of Christ being born among us!
For a comprehensive Beloved Calendar, click here.
The next eNews will issue on January 3, 2006
