On this, the 4th Sunday of Advent, have we completed our preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus? Have we made room in our hearts for this extraordinary story of God’s love for the human family?
For much of the Christian world, what we will celebrate Wednesday evening and Thursday morning is called the Nativity. At the Solemnity of the Nativity of our Lord (our Christ-mass), we will gather in joy and expectation. What is it that we celebrate on Christmas? What’s this, about the birth of a baby boy... a nativity?On this, the 4th Sunday of Advent, have we completed our preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus? Have we made room in our hearts for this extraordinary story of God’s love for the human family?
Theologians describe the Nativity as a celebration of incarnation. Incredibly, what we profess to believe is this: that the Eternal One, the one LORD, in seeking to redeem our broken humanity (broken by our own misguided choices... the power of sin) chose to offer us a Savior, born a member of our human family, born in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. Incredibly, we believe that at this week’s celebration of the Nativity of the Lord, we will remember in the Spirit how the Eternal One became flesh and blood, and lived inside our human condition, as one like us in everything, except sin.
On this 4th Sunday of Advent, have we completed our preparation for the celebration of his birth? Is there room in our hearts, for this greatest of “presents”? Are we ready to affirm our faith in this incredible remembrance... the birth of eternity in the space and time of ancient Israel?
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Please know that the parish offices will be closed on Tuesday afternoon, the 23rd of December. The staff will return from their Christmas vacation on Monday, the 5th of January... the patronal feast day of our parish!
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I continue hoping that some of you will want to serve on our restored Pastoral Council. The deadline for completing the application is on the 7th of January. Please consider offering yourself (or a friend) for this important service. Applications are on the table opposite the parish office. They are also available on our web-page (www.sjnlilburn.com). Thank you for considering this call to service.
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As you know, we will have many visitors during the Masses on the 24th and 25th. My friends, let us welcome all, in the name of the one born as Lord and Savior! Let us seek to show our visitors our open hearts... and our patience... at the crowds and the parking and the noise! A blessed and joyful Christmas, to one and all!
AMDG
Msgr. David Talley
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Helping to fulfill the mission of the church to spread the Gospel by welcoming those interested in becoming Catholic. Sponsors needed to help newcomers, hospitality volunteers needed to help with receptions and social, team members needed to help with catechetical sessions and dismissals.