O Great Mystery

There's a piece of music that, for me, captures precisely everything that our culture can't say about Christmas outside of being in a church.

Our church and our culture agree that Christmas is a time to celebrate, that there is something new and wonderful and sweet to celebrate in the birth of this baby Jesus. But what you can never hear in a shopping mall, an office party or an open house is this. (I recommend you set aside six minutes and seventeen seconds of quiet and stillness before you follow the link!)

The ancient words to this contemporary music are simple:

O Great mystery,

and wonderful sacrament,

that animals should see the new-born Lord,

lying in a manger!

Blessed is the Virgin whose womb

was worthy to bear

Christ the Lord.

Alleluia!

If this music speaks to your heart and to the longing in your soul, come to St. Paul's, a sacred space for your busy life. At St. Paul's, together, we dwell with and praise this 'great mystery and wonderful sacrament' who is Jesus.

Christmas Eve services are at five and eleven, the latter preceded by a half hour of music. Christmas morning service is at ten, followed by a joyous pot luck feast.

May you have a blessed Christmas.