Pastoral Impressions, December 22, 2024
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One of my favorite Christmas hymns is God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, most especially because it truly embodies the reason for Christmas. One of the verses states, “Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day to save us all from Satan's pow'r when we were gone astray.” This is the point of the Incarnation. God loves you and I so much that he sent His son among us to teach, heal, sanctify, and ultimately give His life for us. This should give all of us hope. Christmas reminds us that sin and suffering do not have the final say. Instead, we have a savior who knows us intimately and can relate to humanity and save us. O Tidings of Comfort and Joy! O Tidings of Comfort and Joy!It is a true honor and blessing to be able to celebrate Christmas with all of you. We are so blessed at Resurrection Parish with many dedicated, faithful, and diligent parishioners, volunteers, and ministers. Thank you all for making Christ’s light shine so brightly in this parish. To all who visit us during this Christmastide; we welcome you most heartily and thank you for allowing us to be a part of your Christmas. On behalf of all the clergy and staff of Resurrection, I wish you all a very merry and blessed Christmas season. May the joy of Christ’s birth illuminate us to worship our Lord and live in joyful expectation of His coming again. May God bless you in this season, and may he grant you a very blessed, and fruitful New Year.- Fr. Mike Ackerman