Comfort and Hope This Holiday Season

St. Andrew’s Family,

Cool weather. Finally! I love this time of year. Leaves are changing color, the temperature outside drops, and fires start to be lit in fireplaces, signifying the coming of the holidays. With Thanksgiving next week and Christmas close on its heels, we are entering into the season where everything is supposed to be merry and bright, and for a good portion of people this is this case. However, for some, this time of year can be filled with a deep feeling of loss, loneliness, and longing.

Next Tuesday, November 26th, at 7 pm we will be holding our Commemoration of All Faithful Departed service here at the church. In some circles this service is called “Blue Christmas,” creating a space before the holidays for us to gather together as the body of Christ in order to remember those who have gone before us. This service traditionally would be held around November 2nd, which is sometimes also called All Souls Day.

Each year, we choose to move this service to the week of Thanksgiving in order to recognize those we enter into the holidays without, comfort those who are mourning, and glory in the Resurrection of the one who conquered death, Jesus Christ our Lord. John Chrysostom, in an Easter sermon, sums up Jesus’ triumphant victory over death.

“Oh death, where is thy sting? / O Hades, where is thy victory? / Christ is risen, and you, O death, are annihilated! / Christ is risen, and the evil ones are cast down! / Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice! / Christ is risen, and life is liberated! / Christ is risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead; / For Christ, having risen from the dead, / is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep. / To Him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen!”

Please join us, next Tuesday, as we remember those loved ones who are wrapped in the promise of the resurrection.

Peace and Grace,
Father Logan