Patrick's Christmas Letter

Patrick’s Christmas Letter 2023

I am always moved by the fact that each Advent week has its own theme.  The movement toward Christmas gives us the Sundays of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.  These words for me express the monumental importance of the celebration of Christmas.  When God thought we needed it most, God sent Jesus to be born to a poor, young, unmarried couple in a dusty cold barn.  God was finally living amongst us and living as we do.  This child would grow up to teach that the least among us are valued children of God and humanity.  This child would grow up to teach that forgiveness is the way of God and that we should, as best we can, live a life forgiving others.  This child would grow up to teach that love is the way, the life and the truth and that to love each other unconditionally is our calling as Christians, and the means by which we involve ourselves in personal growth and help build a better world for all.

Our world and our community have certainly faced challenges this year.  The terrible war in Ukraine carries on. As well, the tragic war in the Holy Land deeply saddens the soul of us all.  We pray for peace and the end to all human hostilities.  In our community we have carried the grief of the deaths of a number of parishioners.  We fondly cherish their memory in our hearts and hold on to their vision of a world of love.  As we move our way through Advent, we get the time to dream once again of exactly that vision – a world of love.  When we light the Christ Candle on Christmas Eve, we see it as a symbol that once more opens us to the idea that all things are new again, that anything is possible with the love of God.

At Christmas God sends us a message, as he did to the poor shepherds, that our saviour is born.  Two thousand years ago abiding in their fields an angel told them this good news of great joy.  Imagine knowing and feeling and living a life of impoverishment, and fear and hunger and prejudice and injustice.  Then imagine a host of heavenly angels coming to you, to you specifically, and announcing the Son of God has been born for you.  It would be inspiring.  It would be fulfilling.  It would be life changing, and it still is today for all of us.

 My wish for you and your family and loved ones this Advent and Christmas season is that the peace, joy, hope and love of the Christ child be with you and guide you and inspire you.  As you share wonderful moments with family and friends in this blessed time of year, please also put aside the time pray for those less fortunate than us and those in hardship.  The Christ child came for all of us and let us rejoice and sing and be not afraid to say aloud the dreams that we dream, because it was a miracle, and it still is today for all of us.  Joy to the world!

The Reverend Patrick Blaney   (604) 986-1151   priest.sjnv@telus.net

Our Christmas Services

Blue Christmas Service

Wednesday, December 20 at 7:00PM

Advent 4 Sunday Service

Sunday, December 24 at 10:00AM

Christmas Eve Family Service

 Sunday, December 24 at 5:00pm

Christmas Eve Traditional Candlelight Service

Sunday, December 24 at 8:00pm

Christmas Day Regional Service

Monday, December 25 at 10:00AM

At St. Catherine’s Anglican Church, North Vancouver