Pastor's Corner

O’ Holy Night

"...And while they were there, the time came for her delivery, and she gave birth to her Son, her Firstborn; and she wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room or place for them in the inn..." (Luke 2: 6-7)

The events leading up to the birth of Christ weren’t coincidental, but was put in place by God, so that the prophecies of old would be fulfilled, in Isaiah 7: 13-14; Isaiah 9: 6-7; Micah 5: 2-5. Everything that happened from the time the census was ordered, to everyone returning to their own city to be registered, and then the birth of Jesus while Joseph & Mary were in Bethlehem, was orchestrated by God. Out of Bethlehem, a small town in the City of David, came the Messiah.

This event was the beginning of something so incredible. Jesus Christ leaving His throne in glory and taking on human form, just to bring us reconciliation to our Father God. He came into the world, miraculously conceived, and then born as all humans are. He was first a baby, then a toddler, then a child and adolescent, and then became an adult. He experienced humanity at all levels. He truly can identify with all people at all stages of life.

This very first Christmas, God gave the greatest gift ever. His Son! And His Son gave the gift of His life – which was why He came. Because of this, we can have relationship with God as His children. Through Jesus Christ we are Sons and Daughters of the Most High God.

So this Christmas, bear in mind the ‘True’ Christmas story, which led to the ‘True’ Easter story. Let us give thanks and praise to our heavenly Father for these events, which have changed our lives forever.

During Advent we always consider the past, present, and future dimensions of Jesus’ coming. Jesus came to us at Bethlehem; He is risen and present in the world today; we look forward to His second coming.

In the miracle of the loaves and fishes, all these dimensions of time are also present. Jesus fed the people on the hillside that day, but He also prefigured the Eucharistic banquet, as well as the eternal banquet to which we are all invited.

How are we to make this miracle real in the present? Just as Jesus asked the disciples that day in Galilee to distribute the food, it is our duty to act as the hands of Jesus today, bringing His gifts and presence to others.

No matter how ‘secular’ the world is becoming, disregarding the truth of Christmas, let us boldly proclaim the truth about the birth of Jesus as the reason for the season. Let us claim ‘CHRISTmas’ back!

Advent Action

Multiply your own resources (however great or small) to help the poor. Make a gift of your time or money to a charitable organization that helps the poor.

Prayer

Lord, may we be generous with others from the richness You have shared with us through Your goodness.

May God richly bless us as we wait generously for His coming.

Your friend and pastor,
Samuel King-Kabu.

The seven Round Churches of Denmark – part 8- finale

Other round churches:

As previously discussed only 7 round churches in Denmark from the middle ages are preserved. There had been others (for example in Pedersborg, Hørve and Farendløse). The round churches on Bornholm are noted for their cone shaped roofs with shakes covering. And they are also known for their single pillar in the middle of the room, which carries the arches. The other 3 round churches have a central tower and the high arches are carried by 4 pillars. It is thought all these three churches were built by relatives of the bishop Absalon. Thorsager seems to be the oldest building in Jutland built with bricks.

The origin of round churches is not clear. It is a particular Danish form, but the tradition goes back to earlier historical times. The ancient round temple, Pantheon, in Rome, the Eastern roman churches in Ravenna and Constantinople, Jesus’ sepulchral church in Jerusalem come to mind. Further back in time there are the African village huts.

Between the 11th and 14th centuries the practice of building “Round Churches” was championed by veterans of the Crusades. These churches are unique in that the original body of the Church is circular, rather than a round tower attached to a conventionally shaped building. Although many were built across England, today there are only four that survive as functioning Churches.

English Churches

Holy Sepulchre Church, is the oldest English church, located in Northampton. It was built several decades earlier than Temple Church (below). Its design was heavily inspired by the Church of the same name in Jerusalem.

Temple Church, is located in a courtyard off Fleet Street in London. It was constructed by the Knights Templar, a Catholic order with considerable military and economic power during the Crusades. The original church was consecrated in 1185.

Church of the Holy Sepulchre (or more commonly known as The Round Church) in Cambridge, was constructed about 30 years after the Northampton church.

The final round Church is St. John the Baptist, in the village of Little Maplestead, Essex. It was built by – and still associated with – the Knights Hospitaller. This is the youngest of the four English Churches, dating from the mid-14th century, with a major restoration taking place in the mid-19th century.

Back in Scandinavia it is thought by some that the Hedvig Eleonora Church in Stockholm is a round church. It is actually octagonal in shape and was dedicated in 1737, so it isn’t in the same league, age-wise as the Danish and English churches. Nor is it a Templar in origin.

And finally, returning to Denmark, the Frederiksberg Church is a beautiful, so-called ‘round’ church dating from the 18th century in one of Copenhagen's inner suburbs. The Frederiksberg Church with eight roof panels and a slender spire, was designed in the 1730s by the Dutch architect Felix Dusart, and is also not a real round church, as it is also octagonal in shape. The churchyard, though, is particularly lovely, a garden of well-tended graves set amidst sheltering pines, a haven of quiet. The Church is a popular venue for concerts.

To re-cap, a round church is a special type of church construction, having a completely circular plan. Round churches were often found in Sweden and Denmark (most notably on the island Bornholm) and were popular church constructions, especially in Scandinavia in the 11th and early 12th centuries.

We have now come to the end of our exploration of the old Round Churches.

Jette Blair

About Advent

The word Advent is from the Latin adventus for "coming" and is associated with the four weeks of preparation for Christmas. Advent always contains four Sundays, beginning on the Sunday nearest the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle, (November 30) and continuing until December 24. It blends together a penitential spirit, very similar to Lent, a liturgical theme of preparation for the Second and Final Coming of the Lord, called the Parousia, and a joyful theme of getting ready for the Bethlehem event.

Since the 900s Advent has been considered the beginning of the Church year. This does not mean that Advent is the most important time of the year. Easter has always had this honour.

The traditional colour of Advent is purple or violet which symbolizes the penitential spirit. Religious traditions associated with Advent express all these themes.

Web Page prepared by:
Roger Kenner & Jette Blair.
Content-New Topics Last Updated: 2011/09/09
St. Ansgar's Lutheran Church - Montreal