BRANCHES December 2015

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an exegesis of a yuletide carol It’s a bird… it’s a plane… it’s… it’s… a Christmas variety show!? Yes, it’s a Christmas show at the Lodge full of ballyhoo, shenanigans, and of course, merriment. Fa La Lodge is actually one of the few things in life that cannot easily be misunderstood. It is exactly what it sounds like: an evening of Christmas music, hot chocolate, and good fun to be had—at the Lodge! In order to aid you in preparation for the evening, I’ll offer this brief (yet scholarly... sort of) exegesis of a very old song. by James Parker Deck the halls with boughs of holly, (Adorn the passages with lot’s of greenery.) Fa la la la la, la la la la. (Fa la la la la, la la la la.) 'Tis the season to be jolly, (It’s time to get happy!) Fa la la la la, la la la la. (Fa la la la la, la la la la.) Don we now our gay apparel, (Let’s put on our happy clothes!) Fa la la, la la la, la la la. (Fa la la la la, la la la la.) Troll the ancient Yuletide carol, (Sing the very old midwinter festival song!) Fa la la la la, la la la la. (Fa la la la la, la la la la.) See the blazing Yule before us, (Look! A log on fire!) Fa la la la la, la la la la. (Fa la la la la, la la la la.) Strike the harp and join the chorus. (Start playing the harmonica and begin singing!) Fa la la la la, la la la la. (Fa la la la la, la la la la.) Follow me in merry measure, (Come with me and be happy about it!) Fa la la la la, la la la la. (Fa la la la la, la la la la.) While I tell of Yuletide treasure, (I’ll tell you about fancy stuff associated with said midwinter festival!) Fa la la la la, la la la la. (Fa la la la la, la la la la.) Fast away the old year passes, (Time keeps moving on.) Fa la la la la, la la la la. (Fa la la la la, la la la la.) Hail the new, ye lads and lasses, (Just relax and go with it guys and gals!) Fa la la la la, la la la la. (Fa la la la la, la la la la.) Sing we joyous, all together, (We sing happy together! Or together happy? However you want to phrase it.) Fa la la la la, la la la la. (Fa la la la la, la la la la.) Heedless of the wind and weather, (It’s cold and windy outside? Fuhgeddaboudit!) Fa la la la la, la la la la (Fa la la la la, la la la la.) The song is ridiculous…seriously ridiculous! And like all things ridiculous, it is one of many backdrops for human beings to enjoy being with one another. People need the company and warmth of their friends and family. We can’t survive without it. And sometimes a silly song that makes us laugh is just the excuse we need. It breaks the ice and before we even know what’s happening, we find ourselves swept away with enjoyment and affection for each other. This is a good thing! Fa La Lodge is happening this year in order to provide a backdrop for us to simply “be together.” To sing, to drink wassail, and to laugh… a lot! We will just be there, donning our gay apparel, and making memories. Southwood has always been a church filled with people who love to be with one another. It is one of the many things that drew my family to find a home here. Even though it is a large building and the attendance has been that of a large church, it has always felt very warm and inviting. It is a unique place. I invite you to come to Fa La Lodge and see that this is still true! In addition to providing a backdrop to fellowship, it should also be quite entertaining. If your belly doesn't shake with laughter and your cold cheeks don't get warmed with smiles, then you probably went to the wrong event! We have a proven 3 year track record of providing holiday merriment at Fa La Lodge and we don't intend to slow things down this year! Fa La Lodge will be held on Sunday, December 20 th at the Lodge (across the street from the church). There will be two performances: 5:30 & 7:30. Tickets are available in the Guest Center on Sunday mornings and at the church office during business hours. They are free, but seating is limited, so grab yours before they are gone. A nursery will be available at the 5:30 show with sign-up required in advance and only $5 per child to cover this evening out. You can sign-up at the guest center or at the church office (deadline December 13 th ). So follow us in merry measure and put Fa La Lodge on your family’s calendar!
DECEMBER 2015 | SOUTHWOOD.ORG 9
Page 1 and 2: BRANCHES THE WORD BECAME FLESH Chri
Page 3 and 4: PASTOR’S NOTE What Child Is This?
Page 5 and 6: christmas family traditions by Nico
Page 7: anches SOUTHWOOD BecameFlesh CHRIST
Page 11 and 12: ALL THAT IS FAIR SURPRISE ENDING by

BRANCHES December 2015

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