CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION AND SAINT AGNES
  • Welcome
    • Newcomers >
      • Letter to Inquirers
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • How to Find Us
    • Childcare
  • Who We Are
    • Our Beliefs >
      • Statements of Mission, Vision, Beliefs & Value
      • What is an Anglo-Catholic?
      • Apolitical or Supra Political?
    • Our History
    • Our Leadership >
      • Parish Staff
      • Vestry
  • Worship
    • About our Worship >
      • Attending Mass
      • Music
  • Formation
    • About Formation
    • Adult Formation >
      • Adult Theology Upcoming
      • Adult Theology Archive >
        • Knowing Christ
    • Sermons
  • Connect
    • Contact us
    • Rector's Weekly Letter
    • Pastoral Care >
      • Pastoral Offices >
        • Reconciliation (Confession)
      • Prayer Requests
    • Stewardship >
      • Stewardship Letter
      • Givelify Instructions
      • Planned Giving
      • Endowment Fund
  • Calendar
  • Baptism
  • Outreach
  • Feasibility Study

Weekly letter

from The Rev. Dominique Peridans

It's not Christmas Yet!

11/30/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
It’s Not Christmas Yet!
#12thandMass
November 30, 2021
Our Advent journey of spiritual preparation has begun. This is a time of awakening. We awaken our hearts to gratitude for the First Coming of Christ and to eager expectation for the Second Coming of Christ. 
 
Such focus can be difficult, however, in our cultural context. So much around us—the decorations, the music, the parties—suggests that no spiritual preparation is needed, that Christmas has already arrived. If we are not careful, by the time Christmas does arrive, we will be suffering from Christmas-fatigue and do as many people do: literally toss the tree to the curb on December 26. 
 
Let us bear in mind that the Christmas season runs from Christmas Eve through the Feast of the Epiphany, January 6. For us, the Church calendar has the last word!  And let us bear in mind that we are bestowed special grace to live into these holy mysteries in communion with the Church.
 
How are we to stay focused and prepare on this Advent journey?  Well, be strategic and prepare only that which absolutely needs to be prepared beforehand for Christmas.
 
  • Try decorating later—including the tree;
  • If you have a crèche (manger), do not put the child Jesus in it until Christmas Eve;
  • Avoid Christmas music, to the degree possible! 
  • Engage in a service activity; 
  • Set aside special time to pray, to focus on Christ coming.


If you struggle like I sometimes do to focus, find help. I find it in the inspiring daily meditations of the English Jesuits. CLICK on the image to the right.


We indeed prepare for the culmination of all things in divine love. We do so, trusting in the continued prayer of Saint Paul for us (this Sunday’s second reading, Philippians 1:3-11):
 
that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

With you in eager expectation,​

Picture
The Rev. Dominique Peridans
fellow sojourner in hope
0 Comments

    THE REV. DOMINIQUE PERIDANS

    Rector

    Archives

    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

✜ Contact ✜
Church of the Ascension and Saint Agnes
1215 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Parish Office:
1219 Massachusetts Avenue, NW,
​Washington, DC 20005
(202) 347-8161
Email
​​✜ Social Media ✜
​Facebook
Twitter
YouTube

Newsletter
​

✜ Resources ✜
About Us
Directions
Giving

  • Welcome
    • Newcomers >
      • Letter to Inquirers
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • How to Find Us
    • Childcare
  • Who We Are
    • Our Beliefs >
      • Statements of Mission, Vision, Beliefs & Value
      • What is an Anglo-Catholic?
      • Apolitical or Supra Political?
    • Our History
    • Our Leadership >
      • Parish Staff
      • Vestry
  • Worship
    • About our Worship >
      • Attending Mass
      • Music
  • Formation
    • About Formation
    • Adult Formation >
      • Adult Theology Upcoming
      • Adult Theology Archive >
        • Knowing Christ
    • Sermons
  • Connect
    • Contact us
    • Rector's Weekly Letter
    • Pastoral Care >
      • Pastoral Offices >
        • Reconciliation (Confession)
      • Prayer Requests
    • Stewardship >
      • Stewardship Letter
      • Givelify Instructions
      • Planned Giving
      • Endowment Fund
  • Calendar
  • Baptism
  • Outreach
  • Feasibility Study