A Very Merry Christmas!

ALOHA! AND MERRY CHRISTMAS! Your Epistle is coming to you a day early as a reminder to join us if you can for Christmas Day Eucharist at 9 a.m.

So, brothers and sisters, Christmas comes to us again—not as an escape from the world as it is, but as God’s loving entrance into it. Into real lives. Into real worry and weariness. Into real joy and hope, too. The Word becomes flesh not in a palace, but in the middle of ordinary human life, and that is very good news for us. This holy time reminds us that God does not stand at a distance, no, God draws near—close enough to be held, close enough to be trusted, close enough to change us. In the birth of Jesus, heaven bends toward earth, and love takes on a human face. No matter what this past year has held for you—gratitude or grief, celebration or struggle—Christmas speaks a word meant just for you: You are not alone. Emmanuel—God is with us!

As a church family, we have walked together through so much this past year. We have prayed for one another, shown up for one another, and tried—sometimes imperfectly, but always faithfully—to follow the way of Jesus in a complicated world. I give thanks for you: for your kindness, your generosity, your questions, your courage, and your care for this community and beyond it. My prayer for you this Christmas is simple and deep: that you may know a peace that does not depend on circumstances, a joy that can coexist with sorrow, and a hope that is rooted in God’s unbreakable love. May the light that shines from the manger find its way into every corner of your life—and through you, into the lives of others. From the bottom of my heart, Merry Christmas to you and to all you love!

LAST SUNDAY we explored Joseph’s “yes” to the Lord’s angel in a dream as recorded in Matthew 1:18-25. Joseph often doesn’t get much attention in the Christmas story, but his example can give us courage and hope when God calls us to something unexpected and overwhelming, as we hear God say to us, “Fear not!” How have you been saying “yes” to God this week?

THIS SUNDAY, December 28, as we celebrate the First Sunday after Christmas, we will have a special treat: during the sermon time, our choir will offer beautiful carols to help us worship through music. Come hear their beautiful voices “preach” the good news of Jesus’ birth in song! Please join us this Sunday at 9 a.m. in the Chapel, or on Facebook Live.

MAHALO NUI LOA to our Music Team, who presented a festive Christmas Jazzikapila last Sunday after worship with some of our favorite carols and Christmas songs! And thanks too to our wonderful emcee Rick Hamada (Zach’s dad!). We are so grateful for their generous gift of music, not only in this concert, but in all our Christmas services.

LOOKING AHEAD: Coming up on January 4 as we celebrate Epiphany Sunday, our keiki, led by our dedicated Sunday School teachers, will present an Epiphany Pageant that you won’t want to miss! And on January 11, the Rev. Carol Arney will be with us to celebrate and preach. Please welcome Rev. Carol back to St. Tim’s!

Dear sisters and brothers, you are in my prayers, and I ask for your continuing prayers for St. Timothy’s Church, for our dedicated staff and devoted lay leaders and ministers, for your fellow members, and for your vicar. May God bless you and your loved ones always.  

Aloha Ke Akua!
Fr. Pete+