Beloved Epiphany friends–

Only a little longer to wait, just three more days, and then it will be Christmas.

We will celebrate the great gift our Heavenly Father has given us, his son, Jesus Christ.

Your patience has been rewarded: the nativity of Jesus is upon us. The very idea of it stretches beyond our imaginings, our reward greater than our anticipation, our preparations unequal to the majesty, and our deferral of gratification such a small price to pay!

This hymn, written by Richard Crashaw in 1646, captures the marvel of Christmas through the eyes of the shepherds who first beheld the infant Jesus:

Welcome, all wonders in one sight!
Eternity shut in a span,
Summer in winter, day in night,
Heaven in earth, and God in man.

That He, the old Eternal Word,
Should be a Child and weep.

Each of us his lamb will bring.
Each his pair of silver doves,
Till burnt at last in fire of thy fair eyes,
Ourselves become our own best sacrifice.

A blessed Christmas to you all, and to all whom you love, and all we are bade by Christ to love!

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Mary+