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Joy to the World; the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King!
Let ev'ry heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing.
Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields & floods, rocks, hills & plains
Repeat the sounding joy.
(verses 1 & 2 of “Joy to the World”)
Christmas celebrations have evolved a lot over the years in America. In the 1600s, the Puritans were so horrified by the raucous celebrations of the Twelve Days of Christmas that they outlawed the holidays. In their experience, Christ was dishonored during the Twelve Days of Christmas more than at any other time of the year. Many other English dissenters followed them, keeping Christmas a relatively small holiday in the early days of the American colonies.
Things began to change in the 19th century when Hessian soldiers decorated a Christmas tree in 1777 during the Revolution. Millions of German immigrants brought this and other customs with them as well. Then, in 1823 the poem “The Night Before Christmas” was published and introduced the story of Santa Claus into our culture. Perhaps just as surprising to know, is that Christmas wasn’t declared a federal holiday until 1870, only 155 years ago!
Of course, the holiday has it excesses and many miss the meaning of it entirely. But shutting down joyful celebrations of Christmas, its gatherings, concerts, pageants, parties, foods, and gifts, because sometimes they are excessive or even misguided, misses the point of the Incarnation. Jesus came to bring joy to our life not only in the afterlife, but here and now. God gave us the things of this world to enjoy.
We have the opportunity to experience some of that joy this Sunday with our Christmas Pageant and Wednesday, with our Candlelight Christmas Eve Worship service. Jesus came to give us joy! Let’s sing it boldly, sing it to the whole world! Let heaven and nature sing! We wish you all a very Merry Christmas.
In Christ;
Pastor Dan
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
- Don’t be late for worship this Sunday! You don’t want to miss our Christmas program entitled “Voices of Christmas” – and hear the perspective of each of the characters in the story of our Lord and Savior’s birth.
- Join us for a special Christmas Eve Candlelight Service on Wednesday at 7:00 pm (December 24th). We will have special guest musicians, beautiful decorations and of course, candles! Let’s celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Remember to invite friends and family to come with you.
- Thank you to everyone who donated toward the Christmas Poinsettias. You may pick them up and take them home after the Christmas Eve service.
- Next Sunday, our missionaries to Egypt, Pastors Anthony and Soyoung Sellari, will be our guest speakers, sharing about their mission work in Cairo.
- Do you know anyone looking to join the church, or are you interested in becoming a member? Please contact the office or talk to one of the pastors.
- Mary Bates from the NALC Disaster Response will be here to help train us in how to be of help in times of crisis like hurricanes, fires, and tornados. She will lead workshop for us on January 17th from 10-1 in the chapel. Sign up with the office if you can take part in this wonderful opportunity.
- Our church will be hosting a Life Line Screening event on January 21, 2026. Life Line Screening is the premier provider of stroke and cardiovascular disease risk screenings since 1993. Life Line Screening is extending a discounted offer to all First and Holy Cross Church members which will identify your risk level for the following diseases: Carotid Artery Disease, Peripheral Arterial Disease, Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm and Atrial Fibrillation. Visit www.llsa.social/habc or call 800-324-9458 to schedule your appointment!
- The Light WPB is looking for some ESL teachers. This is a volunteer position for 3 hours/week each semester witha potential for compensation and credits. English/Spanish preferred. A job description is available from Pastor Jeremy (The Light WPB).
- End of the year reminder – Please turn in any gifts you want counted in 2025 by December 28th, if possible. Any gifts received or postmarked after the 31st will be counted in 2026. Thank you for your faithful giving and generosity.
