St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church

Lessons & Carols services in the Anglican tradition began in 1878 and was formalized as a Christmas service in 1880 by the Bishop of Truro, later Archbishop of Canterbury, Edward Benson. An Advent version of the service – normally carried out as a procession with lessons and carols – developed slightly later at King’s College and is now celebrated around the world.

During the service, scriptural readings are interspersed with choral presentations and hymn, all of which recall mankind’s longing for liberation from sin and death, and our hope and expectation for the both the first and second coming of Christ the Lord.
 

Luke 1:26-38

In Luke’s Gospel, the story of Jesus doesn’t begin where one might presume it should begin. It doesn’t begin with Jesus. Rather, the story of Jesus begins with his mother. While we may be tempted to read our own finely-tuned theological presumptions back into this story, we would be wise to read the text for what it is saying and not for what we have come to expect it to say. In other words, the Incarnation is not the central theme in this passage, nor is Luke trying to convince us that Mary is the Theotokos (“God-bearer”), although aspects of these ideas certainly can be inferred. Rather, Luke would have us turn our attention to the fact that God has used the meekest of human beings to accomplish his divine will. He would have us meditate upon Mary’s response to God (her willingness in saying, “Let it be…”), and perhaps it is this preexisting demeanor that has earned her the title “favored one,” even before the child is conceived in her womb.

• How important is Mary’s “let it be,” and how does it enhance how we think about the Incarnation?
• How significant is it that God does not bypass human participation in bringing about his divine will?

TJ Humphrey is a Middler at Nashotah House and is pursuing ordination through the Diocese of Milwaukee. Prior to his time at Nashotah House, he served as a Youth Director and Commissioned Pastor for the Christian Reformed Church in the St. Louis area. He is an avid reader, especially in works that deal with relational ontology, liturgical theology, and the ecclesial life of the Church. For fun, TJ loves to spend time with his family, travel, go backpacking in the mountains, watch a good hockey game, sip on a good bourbon, and geek out with a good theology book.
 

John 1:1-18

Into the midst of our broken and hurting world the light of Christ bursts forth. It is easy to become overwhelmed with the news of terror attacks, of the refugee crisis, of violence and conflict. It can seem like the darkness is all around us, and yet, into that darkness, into that pain and uncertainty, the light of Christ shines, and the darkness did not overcome it. The darkness is still there, the pain and suffering, but with the light of Christ shining in us the darkness no longer has the power to overcome us. The incarnate one, who became one of us, walks with us through these times of pain, and calls us to follow him, not driven by fear into places of comfort and safety, but to lay down our fear, and to go out into the world to love and serve.

• What difference does the light of Christ make in your life
• What might following Jesus look like, in light of a current event that has been troubling you?

This Bible study was written by Robin Denney for 1 Christmas in 2017.

Other ways to donate - There is a donation box on the Narthex entry table where you can drop some dollars. You may also add your cash or check to an offering envelope marked "PANTRY" and add to the offering plate during the service. 

Please visit https://stfrancisnovato.org/st_francis_community_pantry 
for information and donation ideas.  

If you have any questions, please contact Evelyn Ellis at evbuch@yahoo.com or Nova Alexander at nova@stfrancisnovato.org.

Thank you for your support!