Gratitude: Advent and Christmas – St. Nick’s News Dec. 19, 2025

Full St. Nick’s News for December 19, 2025

Dear Friends,

This church season of Advent has been a beautiful, grace-filled season. As we get closer to Christmas, everywhere I look at St. Nick’s I see generosity, joy, and love made visible.

There is so much to be thankful for this season. First, thank you for your generous giving to St. Nick’s to further our mission and vision. The pledge cards (to date 56 of them) and the end of year giving has been an incredible gift that is enabling us to plan well for our future. If you haven’t filled out a pledge card and wish to do so – you can find the online pledge card here. If you wish to offer an end of the year gift to St. Nick’s you can do so here. I also want to make a special note of thanks to the many of you who have shared grocery cards for those in need. As programs are being cut, your giving is helpful and an incredible blessing to those who come to us seeking help and encouragement.

In addition, because of your open hearts and incredible generosity, families connected to Arlon Seay Elementary will experience a brighter Christmas, and children across our community will receive gifts through Green Santa with the Comal County Sheriff’s Department. All of the toys, clothes, and monetary gifts are a reminder that the love of Jesus is real – here and now. And, as a side note, the gifts (the adorable stockings with Christmas buttons and decorations) our kids from Camp Duo made were a welcome and sweet addition to the present give away at Green Santa.

This Saturday we gather for our Pageant Party and Parents Day Out from 9:00 AM–1:00 PM. Parents, consider this our Christmas gift to you—time for last-minute shopping, packing, or present-wrapping. Children will learn the pageant and have a blast decorating cookies and ornaments, playing games, and having fun together. RSVP to Jena. Teens are warmly invited to help, and service hours can be recorded. It’s going to be joyful, messy, and full of laughter—just the way I imagine Christmas was meant to be.

This Sunday at 9:30 AM, we will celebrate baptisms—an especially fitting way to mark the Christmas season. As we welcome new members into the Body of Christ, we are reminded that Christmas is not only something we commemorate once a year, but an ongoing act of God’s grace: claiming us, loving us, and drawing us more fully into life with Christ.

And after church, all middle school and high school youth and their friends are invited to our Youth Christmas Party at my house from 11:30-2:30. We’ll share lunch, play games, enjoy our annual cookie/cake decorating contest, and hold a White Elephant gift exchange (bring a wrapped gift, max $20). Please RSVP to me at 214-213-0739 so we can plan for food and fun.

And of course, last but definitely not least is our Christmas Eve celebrations here at St. Nick’s. We will gather in three beautiful ways:

• 12:30 PM – Outdoor worship with Nativity building
• 3:30 PM – Family service with our Pick-Up Pageant
• 6:30 PM – Traditional Christmas Eve service with candle lighting and the singing of “Silent Night”

Our incredible musicians will help lead us in worship, and we are so deeply blessed by their gifts. Each service offers a unique way to encounter the Christ Child—whether you come with little ones, with friends, or with a quiet heart longing for light.

Friends, this is such a wonderful time. I feel incredibly blessed to be your priest and to walk this holy season with you. May these days be filled with love, laughter, and the deep peace of Christ.

God’s Peace, Love, and Blessings,
Rev. Beth+