Emmanuel Episcopal Church

The Twelve Days of Christmas

The Twelve Days of Christmas, and the associated evenings of those twelve days (Twelve-tide), are the festive days beginning the evening of Christmas Day (December 25) through the morning of Epiphany (January 6). The associated evenings of the twelve days begin on the evening before the specified day. Thus, the first night of Christmas is December 25–26 and Twelfth Night is January 5–6. This period is also known as Christmastide.

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Homily for Christmas Eve - Today My Son Is Born

The Gospel - Luke 2:1-20

Homily by the Rev. Dr. David Smith

Today My Son Is Born

Today my son is born. His mother will squat on her knees in the straw and pull him from her body. There will be no doctor, no nurse, no midwife, no sister, no mother. Only a good-hearted man.... baffled and confused...like most men, and all new fathers.

Today my son is born and the first thing he will smell is manure. Not to be glib, but it seems only appropriate considering all with which he will be forced to contend.  Manure and fur, and his mother’s shawl...wrapping him against the cold desert night and the icy rudeness of traveling taxpayers unaware.

Today my son is born and I am hopeful and happy... distressed and despondent all at once.... providence is paradox.... the first shall be last and the last shall be first. I am  happy and hopeful, this timeless moment will change all time... I am distressed and despondent, seeing the time it will take.  But, time I have... and can always create more.

O Holy Night!

Annual Congregational Meeting & Luncheon Held December 14th

Emmanuel's Annual Congregational Meeting and Luncheon was held on Sunday, December 14th, in the Parish Hall immediately following the 11 am service of Holy Eucharist.

Dick Camp, Senior Warden, provided an overview of the Parish’s affairs during 2008. Jeanne Reynolds, Junior Warden, updated parishioners regarding various projects completed around the buildings and grounds. And John Geyer, Treasurer, reviewed the parish’s current financial position.

Finally, the Parish elected Jayne DePaulo and Ron Irby to serve three-year terms on the Vestry beginning in January 2009.

Dr. David Smith, Pastoral Vicar, summed up the meeting when he said, “Spirits were high and all is well.”