The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
As Steve and I have been participating in home gatherings the last few months, one of the questions that we have asked of you has been "What is one of your most meaningful experiences as a part of Trinity?" Those stories have helped us to get to know you and to get to know Trinity through your eyes.
As I answered that question, several times I shared how meaningful Trinity's Christmas Eve services have been for me over the years. I particularly remember the year that north Florida was covered with ice and much of Gainesville was without power. Steve and I were driving home on Christmas Eve from seminary in Atlanta. As we crossed the Florida line, we began to see more and more cars on the side of I-75, having slid off the highway.
We managed to arrive safely at my parents' home only to notice that everything was eerily dark on the street. Their neighborhood, as well as Trinity (from what I remember), was without power for several hours. But the Christmas Eve services were as meaningful as ever...and perhaps more so. It's a wonderful, magical, and mysterious night! Sharing together in Holy Communion and in the candle-lighting are both powerful reminders of gracious God's love freely given to us and the light of Christ which shines in the darkness.
So, I'll look forward to seeing you on Christmas Eve. You might begin to think now about one person that God is nudging you to invite to one of our services on this very special night:
3:00 Children's Service
4:30 Traditional Service with Combined Adult Choirs
6:30 Contemporary Service with Praise Band
9:30 Blended Service with Sonlight Youth Choir (Sonlight Christmas Concert at 9:00)
11:00 Traditional in the Chapel
All of the services will offer Holy Communion and candle lighting, except for the Children's Service. And childcare will be available for little ones at 4:30 and 6:30.
I'll also look forward to seeing you Sunday as we take a look at Joseph's first inclination to quietly dismiss Mary when he learned she was pregnant (Matthew 1:18-25) and what that might say to us.
Grace and Peace,
