Phone: 732-775-5414

Email us at: saintjamesbb@gmail.com

605 4th Avenue

Bradley Beach, NJ 07720

CURRENT WORSHIP SCHEDULE

8:00 AM Holy Eucharist, Rite I and 10:00 AM Holy Eucharist Rite II, w/Choir, Zoom Remote Worship is Available During the 10 AM Service - Interested persons, please email us and we will send the link.

Sunday School meets every Sunday at 10 AM in the undercroft

All are welcomed!

MESSAGE FROM THE PRIEST-IN-CHARGE

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

ADVENT and CHRISTMAS 2021!

Another season of Advent is upon us and we join Christians everywhere to usher in a new Church calendar year! Advent is the season when Christians prepare to celebrate Jesus' birth. For those who believe in the religious significance of Christmas, the challenge is hanging onto the meaning in the midst of the holiday hustles and bustles. The central theme of Advent is “preparation and expectation.” The advent wreath with the four candles (three purple and one pink - candles of Hope, Peace, Love, and Joy) signifies the four Sundays that precede Christmas. The one white candle in the middle is called the Christ candle and represents Christ, who is the Light of the world. The evergreen wreath signifies eternal/everlasting life.

Dwelling on the central Advent theme of “preparation and expectation” and finding a more religious and spiritual fulfillment in your preparation for Christmas, I recommend the following food for thought, (https://www.oregonlive.com/living/2012/11/keeping_advent_tips_for_christ.html). “Keeping Advent: Tips for Christians preparing for Christmas” I have expanded briefly on each one.

1. Make, and take, time to think. Please try to reflect on what it means to be a reflection of the light of God in the world, especially during these challenging times of COVID 19 and all the chaos in the world.

2. Read a book. It does not hurt to read a book/s that reflect the themes of Advent and Christmas.

3. Spend time with a Gospel. Make a vow to read one of the Gospel stories on Christ’s incarnation and birth.

4. Support a good cause. I recommend that you buy one less gift for yourself, spend more time with family and friends and contribute to a program for others in need. During this season, our affiliated parishes of St. James and St. Michael’s have several initiatives to benefit others in our communities and beyond.

5. Rethink your social calendar. In the midst of all the merry-making, make some time for solitude and quiet.

6. Decorate gradually. Realizing that most people can't wait, Prendergast suggests at least slowing down the setup of a nativity scene (add characters each week as you count down to Christmas).

7. Reach out to neighbors. Share joyful felicitations and spread the hope, peace, joy and love of Advent.

8. Light a candle for the dead. It is important to intentionally remember people who are experiencing recent grief and loss. Light a candle in memory of those who have died, especially by gun violence during the year.

It is my hope that this Advent season will be special! I pray that our parishioners and well-wishers will plan meaningful and fulfilling ways (religiously and spiritually) to prepare for Christmas and to expect Christ at his second coming.

My family and I wish everyone a blessed Advent Season, a Joyous Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

God Bless and keep us!

The Rev. Canon Dr. James T. Yarsiah

TO