Christmas Message from St. James Cathedral
Dear Friends,
One thing has been emphasized this year again and again: the frailty of our human lives. As we and the whole world are threatened by the COVID-19 virus, we see our vulnerability to disease, our reliance on one another, and our need for real relationships in a new light. Much that was once easily taken for granted is suddenly suspect—a handshake, a hug, sharing a meal, going to church and singing there together.
This is true in our own Cathedral community. We will not be congregating in our magnificent building for a festive celebration of Christmas, with carols and the Eucharist and much joy. It is because we are vulnerable to each other, because we could do real harm to one another without meaning to, that we won’t gather together with the good cheer of previous years.
But it is precisely this vulnerability to one another that makes our celebration of Christmas so astounding, precious and joyful. Christ was born, one night all those years ago, to a poor family, in a stable, entirely vulnerable to the frailty of human life. The Son of God took on our human flesh, and entered into networks of relationship and reliance—dwelling among us. Our good God dignified our frail condition by becoming one of us and making a way for us all to be called children of God.
We miss you. We wish we could gather to celebrate our Lord’s Nativity without worry about our communal well-being. But the birth of the Son of God was so beautiful and unexpected an occurrence that it is worth celebrating even if all the traditions of the season are missing. So this year, as every year, we proclaim that we will not be afraid, for we have heard good news of great joy—that to us was born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord.
With best wishes for a Merry Christmas from your Cathedral Pastoral Team,
Dean Stephen Vail, Claire Latimer-Dennis and Canon Beth Benson
JOIN US ONLINE ON CHRISTMAS EVE & CHRISTMAS DAY
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2020
Christmas Eve at 4:30pm: Family Service
A short family service celebrating the Nativity of Our Lord!
You can watch the live-stream of the 4:30pm service via the St. James Cathedral Facebook page here.
Christmas Eve at 7:30pm: Holy Eucharist
Celebrant: The Very Reverend Stephen Vail
Homilist: The Right Reverend Andrew Asbil
You can watch the live-stream of the 7:30pm service via the Diocesan Facebook page here.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2020
Christmas Day at 11:00am: Holy Eucharist
Celebrant: The Right Reverend Andrew Asbil
Homilist: The Very Reverend Stephen Vail
You can watch the live-stream of the 11:00am service via the Diocesan Facebook page here.
YEAR-END DONATIONS
As with most charities, the last few weeks of the year are when we receive much of our donation income. Thank you for considering your Cathedral as you make year-end donation decisions. If you would like to make a donation, here are the ways to do that:
- Mail a cheque to 65 Church Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5C 2E9. Mailed donations must be post-marked by December 31, 2020.
- You can now hand-deliver your offerings to the Cathedral Centre: A secure mailbox has been mounted in the Church Street vestibule at the entrance of the doors at 65 Church Street. The doors will be open from Monday – Friday from 9:00am – 5:00pm until December 31 to receive your 2020 offerings. Hand-delivered donations must be received no later than December 31, 2020.
- Use the ‘Donate’ button on our website. You can also donate here. Online donations must be received by December 31, 2020.
Artwork is based on Bernardino Luini’s “The Infant Jesus with a Lamb” (c. 1480-1532)
