My childhood Christmas was wonderful. The house had to be spotless, so a lot of washing, cleaning and polishing went on. New curtains were hung (to be changed again for Pentecost). Mother would sing carols while baking the seven varieties of Christmas goodies.

On Christmas Eve we always had rice porridge (not pudding) for lunch. It was served with cinnamon, sugar, raisins and a pat of butter on top. One single almond was put in, and whoever found the almond, got a big marzipan pig.
A dish of porridge was also put out in the barn for the gnome or gnomes believed to be living there. According to myths, a spell would be cast on the cattle if there was no porridge. For the birds, a sheaf of corn was tied in a tree.

At 4.00 PM, we went to church, where we heard the Christmas gospel and sang all the carols we had learned in school.
After the service, the church bells would ring in Christmas, and we could shake hands and wish everyone Merry Christmas.

At home, Father would bring in the tree which we decorated while Mother prepared our lutefisk dinner.
After dinner Father always had to go out to fetch wood for the wood burning stove. As it happened, while he was out, Julenissen (Santa) paid us a visit.

In his red coat, with a sack on his back, he threw snow or pebbles at the window. What a thrill!
Once inside, he opened his sack and distributed gifts for all of us.

We also went to church Christmas morning. It was a more solemn affair then, but lovely nonetheless.
We had our main meal of roast lamb ( never turkey) at midday. The rest of Christmas Day we spent quietly with the family, reading our new books and just enjoying the Christmas spirit.

Boxing Day or the second day of Christmas, was for visiting with other family.
On the third day of Christmas, however, was another big day for us children. A huge tree had been put up in the community hall, decorated with real candles, baubles and flags. We formed several rings around the tree, singing carols and action songs as we walked/danced around it in alternate directions.

We also got Christmas goodies as well as an orange each from Santa. We never expected much, and were thrilled with everything we got.

Did you know that this year's emphasis on LIVING OUR FAITH is worship?  We are very grateful that we can gather in person this year to pray, sing, and be nourished through Word and Sacrament  for the four Sundays of Advent and on Christmas Eve.  The choir is preparing special music for the first Sunday of Advent to help us deepen our worship and we will be celebrating Holy Communion on the first and third Sundays of Advent. On the fourth Sunday of Advent we are planning a more informal Family Service to hear and see the Nativity Story with Christmas carols. We are continuing to follow COVID-19 Safety protocols - requesting that everyone 5yrs and up wear a mask. We also have a large sanctuary so that there is ample room to give extra space for an added layer of protection. We do not require proof of vaccination, but do request that you stay home if you are feeling unwell. 

Four Sundays in Advent - 10:00AM

November 28 - Service of Holy Communion with Choir

December 5 - Service of the Word

Decebmer 12 - Service of Holy Communion with Choir

December 19 - Family Service (no Communion) 

Christmas Eve 7:30PM - Candlelight Service 

Christmas Day 10:00AM - Regional Service with Holy Communion at St. Agnes Anglican Church, 530 East 12th Street, North Vancouver, 1/2 block west of Grand Boulevard. 

December 26 - Service cancelled at Gloria Dei. You are invited to join our Anglican siblings at St. Clement's in Lynn Valleny at 9:45 AM,  or St. Catherine's in Edgemont Village at 10:00AM. 

Happy Birthday Blessings to those born in December

 2 – Lois J

8 – Sonja

11 – Shelley

23 – Keith

25 – Christel

29 – Carol S

30 – Marianne 

A friendly reminder that our Sunday Services are scheduled for a 10AM start time. In Advent, we begin the services with special worship music to help us enter into a spirit of expectant waiting. We would like everyone seated in their places before we begin, so as to minimize disruption. We can all help in this by making our best effort to be here 5 minutes early - to allow time to sanitize our hands, find our pew and take a moment to center ourselves in Christ before worship begins.