Merry Christmas from St. Philip's Church

Bishop Mary's Advent Message

Advent marks the beginning of a new Church Year. The lectionary readings and collects tune our hearts to the future, to possibilities, to expectation and to the unknown. We are challenged to be ready, to be paying attention, to be alert, to be watching for the signs that the kingdom of God is near. Even while we listen to the unfolding of the familiar story of the birth of Jesus, we hear the strains of the story that Christ will come again and that we are to be watching and ready for that day.

Many of us don’t actually think all that much about it, of course. In Luke 21, we are warned not to get weighed down with the worries of life and so to be ready for the day we have been waiting for.

A Christmas Greeting from the Primate and National Bishop

In their annual joint Christmas message, Archbishop Fred Hiltz, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, and Bishop Susan Johnson, National Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, reflect on the innkeeper in the Christmas story who provided a safe place to Joseph and Mary for the birth of the infant Jesus.

Drawing parallels to the migrant refugee crisis today, they urge us to open our hearts and country to those seeking refuge as we celebrate the season.

Rector's 2015 Christmas Letter - Joy to the World!

Christmas is a celebration of God who is constantly surprising us. The Messiah comes, not as an earthly ruler, not as a mighty warrior, but as a child in a manger. The witnesses are not the priests and leaders of the Jewish nation, but poor shepherds and a few wandering foreigners. Jesus' whole earthly life was a series of acts which defied expectations and caught people - both his followers and his enemies - off guard.

God continues to surprise us. Sometimes those surprises are positive, even miraculous, and we rejoice in them. Other times those surprises upset carefully crafted plans.

Warden's 2015 Christmas Letter

Dear Friends, Christmas is coming and for many of us this is a hectic time, but the season of Advent reminds us what we are really waiting and preparing for. Throughout the Advent season we anticipate the arrival of Christ. During this period, our Scripture readings focus us on God's promise of salvation and the fulfillment of this promise in Jesus Christ.

Give Local Give Canadian this Christmas: Make a Donation to the Anglican Foundation

The spirit of giving is alive and well at the Anglican Foundation of Canada this holiday season. We invite impact donating, which means we put your dollars to work directly right here in Canada. This Christmas, when you’re thinking about what to give, AFC invites you to consider a gift that will make a real difference for Canadians: ensuring that children eat a nutritious breakfast before school and receive quality homework coaching after school, providing care for seniors, and allowing you to participate in immediate aid and relief in times of disaster or calamity in Canada.

Show love to your country this Christmas through the Anglican Foundation of Canada.

Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols