Christmas Invitation, 2021

Dear Members and Friends,
This greeting is both an invitation and a reminder. The mercantile world has already weeks ago reminded us of the approaching celebration of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, God’s Messiah. Indeed, it is actually wonderful to receive free publicity regarding the birth of Christ, even if this spigot of publicity will be turned off abruptly on Friday night, 24 December, Christmas Eve. My local supermarket, a member of a large regional chain, has begun already its advertisement for Valentine’s Day, Monday, 14 February 2022!

However, for people of faith the celebration on Christmas Eve/Christmas Day of the birth of Christ is not limited to a mercantile cycle. Our celebration extends even well beyond the Twelve Days of Christmas, because we recognize in the remaining days of the year the Good News that the birth of a child in Bethlehem brings: God with us. This we believe and this we proclaim.

This brings me to my invitation. Please join us in a celebration of thanksgiving that God is with us all day, each day, every day. The Mass of Christ reassures us, that even in times of unrest, anxiety and uncertainty, our Creator God has intervened in our lives, in order to restore the intention of creation, namely of an everlasting relationship between the Divine and the Human.

Our celebration:
Christmas Eve, Friday, 24 December 2021
6:30 p.m. Carols and Musical Interludes
7:00 p.m. The Celebration of Holy Eucharist Rite II

Our celebration will be enhanced by Mr. Tim Hughes, organist at neighboring St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, and Mr. Louis Steptoe, violinist and cantor, a parishioner at neighboring St. John’s Episcopal Church.

I extend my warmest greetings.
The Rev’d Clarence E. Butler
Priest in residence

St. James Episcopal Church
1170 Broadway at Clarendon + Teele Square

P.O. Box 440185
Somerville, MA 02144
617-666-1063