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Is the AA Elder Scrooge? 
LookingHard wrote:
Is the AA Elder Scrooge?
That might explain things. There’s no progression because they refuse to acknowledge the Ghost of Christmas Past.
I think in some areas, over time some traditions keep getting bigger and bigger and adding more things that were once nice ideas but start to get out of balance, and so some areas leaders try to course correct a little and bring it back down to basics…which isn’t a bad thing. It can remind people what the meetings are supposed to be about. Hopefully it doesn’t make it such a basic meeting that Joseph Smith is talked about on Christmas instead of Jesus. Some people attend only during holidays…we should still emphasize the savior during that season…hopefully.
LookingHard wrote:
Is the AA Elder Scrooge?
Perhaps the Scrooge at the end of the book. I’m honestly not a huge fan of the AA, but 1) I think he’s mostly just passing along info from his “superiors” and 2) I can’t complain about focusing on Christ at Christmas.
This is what our Stake sent out. No more details than this. Quote:nvitation Sunday
On December 22, the Church invites all wards to host a special Christmas service designed to inspire those who may not be of our faith. The hope is each member will prayerfully consider someone they can invite to church for this Christmas service
Now to be honest last years special was lousy in my ward. No one even did a basic Luke 2 reading. Then to kill time the Bishop bore testimony of loving music. I am sitting there wondering why just didn’t crack open the hymnbook and sing through the Christmas section. But we were still stuck with time so the 1st Counselor spoke about youth temple baptisms that took place the week or day before.
That was Christmas. In fairness the 2 talks were Christ centered. Just not specific Christmas.
This year I am going to a local Christian Christmas Eve Service. And calling it done.
Quote:I think in some areas, over time some traditions keep getting bigger and bigger and adding more things that were once nice ideas but start to get out of balance, and so some areas leaders try to course correct a little and bring it back down to basics…which isn’t a bad thing. It can remind people what the meetings are supposed to be about.
I totally agree. I can see how things can easily get out of hand without some direction. I heard that a ward in my sister’s stake down Provo way sang Handel’s “The Messiah” for their ward Christmas program (I guess they’ve got a lot of musical people in that ward). I like “The Messiah” and I’ll bet it was really cool to listen to (and I imagine they didn’t sing the whole thing) but that might be going a little too far.
That said, a high quality musical program would probably be a greater draw for non-members than any else that generally goes on in sacrament meeting (e.g. talks).
DarkJedi wrote:
AmyJ wrote:
DarkJedi wrote:
In a nutshell:-Dec. 22 will be a “special Christ centered” SMand no other meetings….
Is this part confirmed? I have heard an indirect rumor from 2-3 sources at my branch listed as offhand comments about something else. Unfortunately, I read into their non-verbals that this was off-hand knowledge that I should already know, so I haven’t followed up on it (because I didn’t know).
It came directly from my SP who was reading off materials he got from the AA. He showed a few videos as well, one of which was about inviting people to the special Christmas service – that’s the one with the come and pray, come and sing, come and worship. The only one I can see that’s generally available to everyone is the trailer for the new Nativity video.
Follow up, and I don’t know why I didn’t think of this before (other than it’s hard to copy stuff from these letters). There was a letter from the First Presidency to leaders last month, the body of which is below:
Quote:Sunday Meeting Schedule Adjustment for December 22, 2019
On Sunday, December 22, 2019, Church services should be limited to sacrament meeting in each ward and branch. Administrative and council meetings may be cancelled that day.
Because this particular sacrament meeting has traditionally focused on the birth, life, and mission of the Savior, we encourage you to invite those who are not members of the Church, as well as members who attend infrequently, to join in celebrating the Savior’s birth.
It is on letterhead and signed by the First Presidency.
Thank you. I appreciate the official information 😆
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