ST. MATTHEW'S ~ SAND SPRINGS
ADVENT WEEK 4 ~ DECEMBER 20 - 26
SERVICES AT ST. MATTHEW'S THIS WEEK ~ SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20
- Sherry will be leading us in morning prayer at 10:30
- You can join in person (with masks) or on Zoom
- Click here for the link to the Zoom room.
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE
- The Service will be Thursday, December 24th at 5:30
- Fr. Noel Daugherty will be leading the service
- Christina's mom will be singing
- You can also join by Zoom. Click here for the link to the Zoom room.
FUTURE SERVICES
- December 27 ~ Morning prayer led by Holly
- January 3 ~ Morning prayer led by Christina
- January 10 ~ Mass led by Father Mark Wood
- January 17, 24, 31 ~ Mass led by Father Noel Daugherty
- All Sundays in February ~ Mass led by Father Mark Wood
TENTATIVE SUNDAY SCHEDULE
PRAYERS FOR DECEMBER
- Georgia
- Kenny
- Charlene
- Janie
- Billy
- Janet
If you want to add someone to our prayer list email shelleymartinyoung@gmail.com
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
THE COLLECT
OLD TESTAMENT ~ 2 SAMUEL 7:1-11, 16
When the king was settled in his house, and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him, the king said to the prophet Nathan, "See now, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God stays in a tent." Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that you have in mind; for the Lord is with you."
But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan: Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the Lord: Are you the one to build me a house to live in? I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle. Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the tribal leaders of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?" Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the Lord of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly, from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever.
THE RESPONSE ~ CANTICLE 15 ~ THE SONG OF MARY ( MAGNIFICAT)
Luke 1:46-55
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; *
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him *
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm, *
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, *
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel, *
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
The promise he made to our fathers, *
to Abraham and his children forever.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
THE EPISTLE ~ ROMANS 16:25-27
THE GOSPEL ~ LUKE 1:26-38
SLOW DOWN. QUIET. IT'S ADVENT ~ 26 DAYS TO FOCUS ON JESUS
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20 ~ THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
MONDAY, DECEMBER 21 ~ THE FEAST OF ST. THOMAS
St. Thomas day,
St. Thomas gray,
The longest night
and shortest day.
Go outside and look up. Tonight you will be able to see the Christmas star. This has not been visible for centuries. (It isn't actually a star. You can read about it here.)
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22
Peace in our hearts. Peace in our homes. Peace in our church. Peace in our world.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24 ~ CHRISTMAS EVE
On the night Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph were arriving at the end of a long and tiring journey, around 80 miles on foot from Nazareth to Bethlehem.
Imagine their disappointment when they found out that the journey would not end with a comfortable night’s sleep: there was no room for them at the inn. Still, the innkeeper offered the little he could give, which was a place in his stable for them to stay.
Christmas Eve celebrates this sacred night, the end of our Advent journey, and we can use it to prepare our hearts for the arrival of Jesus.
Take a moment to ready your heart for the arrival of Joy on Christmas Day.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25 ~ CHRISTMAS DAY
As pope, John Paul II, wrote, ‘the mystery of the birth of Jesus that took place over 2000 years ago must be lived today and every day. The Word that found a dwelling place in and through Mary comes to knock on our hearts this Christmas and every Christmas, today and every day.
This Christmas, while all the celebrations and festivities are taking place, let’s stop, take some time and ask ourselves, what am I remembering? What am I celebrating?
May the Light of Christ and Christ the Light bless our world and fill all our homes and families, this Christmas Day and always. Amen.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26
It’s the day after Christmas.
Presents are opened. Trees are coming down. Reflecting is in full force. Plans are being made for a new year.
I can imagine the “wonder” happening in Bethlehem shortly after the birth of Christ. There was great wonder in the naming of this baby. Jesus, which means “salvation of God” – it was not something someone like Joseph and Mary typically would have named their son. Talk about high hopes for your children!
With the excitement going on in the town because of the census, it is probable that few took notice of Jesus’ birth. Therefore, when the shepherds go about joyfully, almost ecstatically, proclaiming the Good News, people most likely wondered “what baby?” “I didn’t see a baby”. They were so busy with their own celebrations they had missed the birth of a Savior!
What about you? As you clean up the torn packages from yesterday, and you pack away all the new gifts – as you travel back home or prepare to head back to work – as you explore how to spend your Christmas cash – what difference has Christmas made in your life?
Did the fact a Savior was born make a difference in your life this week/this year? Are you living a life that reflects that truth? Or – are you still wondering what all the excitement is about?
Many celebrated Christmas this year. How many really understood the why behind the celebration? Was it the center of their celebration or part of a checklist or after thought.
The parties are over and the gifts are open, and many will be sad the celebration is over, but the celebration alone will never completely fill a person’s heart. Only the true gift of Christmas, the one they named Jesus, can fill the void in a heart, which often dwells at the end of a Christmas celebration.
After the dust settles from the hustle and rush of buying, wrapping, opening gifts, stuffing ourselves with holiday treats and enjoying the company of friends and family is over, perhaps you and I should pause and wonder – pause and truly reflect on the true meaning of Christmas.
Perhaps after Christmas is more important even than during.
A Savior has been born. He is Christ the Lord! The Savior grew, lived a sinless life, died on a cross, rose again, and now intercedes between God and man on behalf of those who believe.
He wants to be a friend who sticks closer than a brother. He wants those who are weary and heavy-burdened to come to Him. He wants to bless our lives with true peace. Hope was born at Christmas.
And this part of the Christmas season – will last throughout the coming year – and throughout eternity!