December 26, 1854, Annandale
“The wreath made, to breakfast over, the glasses of dainty eggnog with their shining froth, duly honored, we went to church. And the Christmas hymns rang joyfully with the pealing organ’s notes among the green wreathed arches,” Miss Elizabeth Hathaway, tutor to Helen Johnstone
A very happy Christmas to you and yours from the Chapel of the Cross! I pray you enjoy a wondrous day, stuffed with the merriment of the season and the company of loved ones. In keeping with Miss Hathaway’s remembrance, we enjoyed a very full Advent season at the Chapel, filled with meaningful worship, outpourings of generosity to those in need in our community, and very festive fellowship. I am so grateful for the countless folks whose hard work made such a lovely season possible.
And, as we celebrate the birth of Christ, I am reminded of a quote from one of my favorite saints, Thomas Merton, Trappist monk and popular writer, “I have the immense joy of being human, a member of the race in which God himself became incarnate.” Celebrating this great season, and all the seasons of life, with the Chapel is an immense joy for me and I am honored and thankful to serve among those same, “green wreathed arches.” May the joy of Christmas embrace us all, today and forevermore.
God’s Peace,
Ben+