Merry Christmas!
“Today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord” (Lk 2:11).
The Promised One is here! Our King is born to us, He is born for us. We might expect our King and Lord to be arrayed in regal garments, with servants already assisting the Holy Family. Instead, Jesus Christ is not born in a sanitized room, but in the filth of a stable. This is perhaps especially important for us to recall this year, 2020, that has been so stained by sadness, distrust, and isolation. In a year filled with fear, anger, and confusion, filled with greater messiness than we would’ve thought we could endure, Jesus enters into our mess just as he entered into the mess of that stable at his birth. Jesus, the Light of the world is born in the darkness of a cave. Jesus, the Eternal Word of God, is born a speechless child. Jesus, born without the stain of sin, is born amid the grime of a stable. Jesus, the Bread of angels, is born a hungry child. The promised one, the hoped-for one, the long-awaited one now waits. He waits for Mary and Joseph to feed Him, clothe Him, soothe Him, and love Him. He waits for you to feed Him by feeding the hungry, to clothe Him with your care for the poor, to soothe Him with your prayers for the lost and the suffering, to love Him through your love of neighbor. Do not let any fears of unworthiness, or burdens by the mess of your life keep you from Him. He waits for you. O come, let us adore Him!
We invite you to continue to reflect on God’s word to you with questions below for personal reflection or for discussion with others:
Take some time to imagine that stable where Jesus was born. What was it like? What would you have seen? What would you have smelled? What would you have heard?
Why do you think God became man for us? Why do you think He chose to come this way - as a baby in a stable?
Is there any situation in your life that you feel is “too messy” that is keeping you from coming to Jesus? Is there a way you could invite Him into that situation?
Are you new to St. Ann?
Looking for ways to become more involved?
All are invited to explore faith and grow in community in this coming year.
Alpha
Alpha is series of interactive sessions where guests have an opportunity to explore life and Christian faith freely in a friendly and informal environment. Alpha is for anyone of any background - atheist, agnostic, non-Christian or Christian. We believe everyone can benefit from taking some time to look at some of life’s biggest questions.
https://www.stannparish.org/alpha
Connect Groups
Connect Groups are mid-sized groups of 16 to 20 people who want to be in community as well as deepen their faith. They are places where people are known, loved, and cared for while being encouraged to continue their journey of growing in friendship with Jesus.
https://www.stannparish.org/connect-groups
Looking for other ways to be involved? Visit our website at www.stannparish.org or fill out a Contact Card https://www.stannparish.org/contact-card. We’d be happy to contact you to get to know you and to share more with you about our church family.