Dear Cathedral Family,
As Christmas fast approaches, we are all entering our final preparations for the holidays, and there is a buzz of anticipation all around. This last weekend before Christmas will be an active one here at Christ Church Cathedral, as well.
Our chancel will be transformed into ancient Bethlehem Friday through Sunday, as we enjoy several performances reenacting the birth of Christ.
Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. and again Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m., Cathedral musicians will join with other local artists in a semi-staged version of Amahl and the Night Visitors. This contemporary one-act opera in English is an imaginary account of the visit of the three wise men from the East to the home of a poor young boy and his widowed mother, in which young Amahl experiences healing and accompanies the Magi in their visit to the Christ Child. Our own Mollie Adams stars as the mother in this production for which Cathedral Organist and Choirmaster Elizabeth Bemis is the musical director and Dr. Patrick Jacobs is the stage director. I hope that many of you will be able to enjoy this production in person, which cannot be livestreamed due to copyright restrictions.
On Sunday morning, the Fourth Sunday of Advent, at 9:30 a.m., our children will present their annual Christmas Pageant, in which they will tell in words, actions, and song the story of Jesus’ birth. This is always a joyous occasion, in which we learn much from our children about the true joys of Christmas. Following their performance, they will enjoy special treats during the usual Sunday School and Children’s Chapel time. Our livestream will begin early on Sunday so that those unable to be present in person can enjoy the pageant.
Next week will be a time of preparation for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Cathedral offices will close for the holiday at noon on Wednesday, December 21, although we will continue to check our messages and emails. The Greening of the Cathedral will take place on Friday, December 23 at 9 a.m. Christmas Eve services—Family Eucharist at 3 p.m. and Festival Eucharist at 6 p.m.—will both have a nursery, and the 6 p.m. service will be livestreamed. Musical reflection will begin at 5:30 p.m. and will also be livestreamed. There will be a 10 a.m. service on Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25, which will also be livestreamed but will not have a nursery.
During this week of much activity and anticipation, I hope that you will also find time for some quiet moments each day in which to be aware of God’s presence and loving action in your life, and I look forward to being with you in celebration of this season of joy.
Faithfully,
Beverly+