Merry Christmas from St. Paul’s!
I wish joy and good tidings upon you this Christmas. This Christmas is particularly special and dear to me as my last at St. Paul’s. I am simultaneously excited and grieving. It will be hard for me to say good-bye.
Christmas Eve at 10pm will be my last sermon as rector. December 28 will be my last Sunday service. There is no sermon scheduled for December 28 because it is Lessons and Carols. My sermon on Christmas Eve will be about Jesus. It will not be about me or my feelings. I plan to be very happy and I am hoping to see everyone.
Christmas is a holiday primarily for children. Raising a family at St. Paul’s was a remarkable privilege in my life. Christmas was always special to Lori and me for our children’s sake. We wanted Sarah, Michael, and Eric to experience the joys and hopes of Christmas as we experienced in our own childhood. Living in the rectory brought them a lifetime of Christmas memories and I pray they will cherish then. I cherish them and I am grateful for the experiences.
Every family has their own Christmas traditions. A particular tradition in the Board family is the Baby Jesus does not join the nativity scene until after church on Christmas Eve. Whatever your traditions may be, they are best capped with church. I have always preached “It isn’t Christmas unless you have been to church!”
Come to church this Christmas Eve or Christmas morning. Here the Gospel story of Jesus’ birth. Listen to the angels sing. Join us in the Holy Festival! Make church your most valued Christmas tradition!
Merry Christmas!
Paul Board