Liturgy Dates and Information for December

As we enter the month of December we enter a solemn period of the ecclesiastical calendar called Advent, a term that means "coming". In Advent we deliberately enter a period of quiet, preparation and contemplation as we wait for the coming Incarnation of the Light at Christmas. As we count through the days of Advent a sense of anticipation grows as symbolised by the old tradition of Advent calendars, on which each day has a window behind it which can be opened to reveal a new picture (or these days, chocolate).

In the Northern hemisphere this festival overlaps with the natural approach of midwinter and the old Pagan Yule festival, so the coming of the Light is also the passing of the darkest days of Winter and the literal coming of the longer, brighter days of Spring. For us in the Southern hemisphere and particularly in our temperate climate, we often welcome the relief of cooler weather instead.

One of the distinctive marks of the Gnostic liturgical year is that we place more emphasis on the Incarnation than on the Passion as we take greater delight in the Bridegroom's arrival than His torture and death. I'd like to invite you this year rather than merely bemoaning the increasing commercialisation of Christmas, to take the opportunity to use this Advent season as a period of increasing reflection, to take the opportunity for charity where it presents itself, and to prepare for the Incarnation of the Very Word as the Christ descends to take up His throne in your heart in the place where He has always been.

Here's a list of the major dates, intentions, readings at services at St Uriel's over the season. Especially note Saint Philip K Dick day on Dec 16 and the Agape Feast planned for Dec 23.

2 Dec - Advent Sunday

Intent: Seeking the Light
Readings

Service: 7pm - Logos Liturgy at St Uriel's with meditation. All welcome. Liturgy followed by tea and discussion of some of the ideas in "Inner Christianity" by Richard Smoley.

9 Dec - 2nd Sunday in Advent

Intent: The God Within
Readings

Service: 7pm - Logos Liturgy at St Uriel's with meditation. All welcome. Liturgy followed by tea and discussion of some of the ideas in "Inner Christianity" by Richard Smoley.

16 Dec - 3rd Sunday in Advent; Saint Philip K Dick Day

Intent: Recognition of the Messenger
Readings

Service: 7pm - Logos Liturgy. One of St Phil's core ideas was that in the modern world, the Divine sneaks into the world through discarded, ignored aspects of manifestation, through the trash. So to celebrate St Phil's Day, I'm asking everyone to bring along some glittery rubbish to dress the chapel for the day. Something shiny or garish, feel free to drop into a bargain shop and buy some really tacky religious paraphenalia. Don't spend more than $20. We'll dress the chapel together and share some ideas about the ways the Divine is hidden where we least expect Her.

23 Dec - 4th Sunday in Advent and The Incarnation

Intent: Nature of the Redeemer
Readings

To cater for people who will be out of town and visiting with family (including me!), on this Sunday we will also celebrate:
25 Dec - Nativity of the Divine Light, Christmas Day (Readings)
27 Dec - St John The Beloved

Service: 7pm - Agape Feast. An early church tradition in which the members of the community celebrate their bond as a community and their union with the Divine. We'll share a meal, say some old prayers adapted from ancient church practice and simply be with each other for the last time in the year. I'm asking everyone to bring along a vegetarian dish you've cooked yourself, something you poured some love into.

Please make a special effort to set this evening (and some time to cook!) aside. Bring a friend, especially someone you think could use some company.

Rev Mr Tim's Weeks Off

I'm off to Queensland for some downtime and visiting with family and old friends. I'll be back in the first week of January. I may be back in time for Epiphany - it's a significant day, so I'd like to be, but we'll be driving home from Brisbane, so it's hard to be sure. I'll do my best to send an email out closer to the day.

Here's the readings and intentions for those weeks just in case.

30 Dec - First Sunday After Christmas
Day of General Thankgiving
Readings

6 Jan - The Epiphany
Intent: Divine Guidance

This is a great time of year to make it along to a Sunday liturgy and start or re-establish your connection to the St Uriel's community. Whether or not you're able to join us during this time, please accept my prayers and good wishes for you and your family and friends over the Christmas season.