Hanging of the Green

Every Sunday is special (every day is special in its own way), but today felt even more so. Today officially began the celebration of Christmas at my church with our "Hanging of the Green" evening service. I'll come right out and say I look forward to this one all year. It's one of my favorites. Basically, the whole congregation comes together in the sanctuary, and we sing lots of familiar Christmas carols. Our Joyful Hearts Choir helps lead us, and I enjoy hearing their voices. But the best thing about it is, as we sing, groups of people file in all throughout the sanctuary to decorate it. While we're singing "Deck the Halls," they'll be coming out in two long lines carrying long streams of garland to hang on the banisters and edges of the choir loft and baptistry. During other songs, families enter in carrying poinsettias, golden trumpets with bows on them, holly wreaths and the ornaments for the Chrismon tree. Just for your information, the Chrismon tree is different from the Christmas tree in that it features ornaments with very special meanings. There's the star the shepherds saw in their fields of ship the night of Christ's birth, there's the angel who proclaimed the good news, the manger scene with baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the animals and the wise men, and the cross, which symbolizes Jesus' death for our sins. The green color of the tree also represents new life, everlasting life in Jesus. It's a very special version of the tree. I love to see it decorated and lit later on.

So tonight, I was able to go to the Hanging again (I missed it last year), and Anna Kate came with me, which of course made a special night even more enchanting. She could have been finishing up homework for her classes, but she managed to come. That meant so much to me. We had a marvelous time. I can't describe the feeling I get at seeing the church transformed in less than an hour. The experience is something that you have to see for yourself to really appreciate; my words can't do it justice. Anna Kate has a beautiful singing voice, by the way. Just though I'd throw that one out there. Hope your Thanksgiving break was great! Goodnight and God bless!

Song of the Day: Point of Grace - "O Holy Night"

Verse of the Day: "Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation." - Colossians 1:21-22