Commentary By the Rev. Belle Mickelson
For The Cordova Times
Merry Christmas!
By Dec. 23rd, I hope to be home with you. But right now, my son Mike and I are in Arctic Village…
It’s minus 11 degrees; there is some blue, yellow, and grey light plus a few clouds in the sky; and we can see the beautiful snow covered land with small, scraggly black spruce trees and the surrounding mountains—but it’s so far north that we won’t see the sun until we’re on the plane flying back to Fairbanks tomorrow.
We’re getting ready to head over to the church this afternoon for a kid’s music camp and tree decorating party—and hearing once again the wonderful story of Jesus’s birth. At 6 pm there will be a community potluck and a Christmas carol sing along with musicians young and old playing the songs passed down to us in both English—and Gwich’in. This year there will be new voices and new songs.
I hope you will be singing, too—and enjoying all the Christmas activities around Cordova. Some of us who have come from far away need to find new friends and new family — and are grateful to the long time residents who welcome us in. If you need a family, I recommend walking into one of Cordova’s churches. You’ll immediately have friends, aunties, uncles, parents, and grandparents who will be happy to see you!
The Christmas story and the Christmas songs are for you and me. Let’s sing and celebrate as we bring joy, love and peace to Cordova—and the world! See you soon!
“O be joyful in the Lord all ye lands; serve the Lord with gladness and come before his presence with a song.”
— Psalm 100
St. George’s Christmas Activities
- Dec. 24th, 8 p.m. Christmas Eve service with carols, special music, the Christmas story, and Holy Communion
- Dec. 25th and Jan. 1st, 10:30 a.m. Christmas Carol Singing and Holy Communion
