December 08 Kandili
A MESSAGE FROM FATHER LOU
God Is With Us – Give Ear All You Nations and Be Humbled – for God Is With Us.
(From the Great Compline service)
The Nativity of our Lord is a cosmic event of salvation available to all nations for all generations. Through the birth of our Lord, indeed God is with us – “Emmanuel.” As winter approaches and the winter solstice, December 21, the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere, draws near, the Great Light has shown from the East – the Light of Salvation, our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ. The birth of Christ historically did not take place on December 25 or January 6 or 7, as celebrated in the Oriental Orthodox tradition or according to the Julian calendar. Nevertheless there is great wisdom in the Church’s choice to place our Lord’s nativity at this time of the year, supplanting the pagan celebration of the Sun God – Apollo or Helios. For Christians, Christ is the true “Sun of Righteousness.” What better time of the year to focus on this theme of light then in the midst of darkness, in the midst of death that is associated with winter. Whereas the sun does indeed give life to plants, animals and humans, the life given is temporary. The life given by the Son of God is eternal. He, with the Father and the Holy Spirit is the Creator of all, including the sun and the stars. The Son of God therefore is the true “Sun of Righteousness” the Light of Salvation. Please read the main hymn “Apolytikion” of Christmas Day: “Your birth O Christ our God did shine upon the world and through the light of wisdom illumined the universe and to those who held the stars in worship did through a star learn to worship You the Sun of Righteousness and came to know You the Light that dawned from on high. Glory to You, O Lord!” In the midst of this Advent and the middle of the materialistic trappings of the season, please remember our Lord Jesus, Emmanuel, and prepare to receive Him. As the earth revolves around the sun, allow your life to revolve around the Son of God. As the days lengthen allowing us to receive more of the rays of the sun, so open your hearts to receive the eternal rays of the grace of God. And as His blessed Mother Mary the Theotokos allowed Him to be born of her, may you and I also accept His grace – His Divine and life-giving presence with awe, in humility and thanksgiving. Emmanuel, “God is with us, give ear all you nations and be humbled for God is with us.” Let us not only rejoice in this eternal cosmic act of salvation, but let us also rejoice because your and my personal Savior is with us. Have a blessed and beautiful celebration of our Lord’s nativity!Christ is born! Glorify Him!
With our Lord’s blessings, Fr. Lou
On behalf of Fr. Paul, Fr. Dino, our Parish Council, Philoptochos, Ministry Teams and our staff, may our Good Lord bless each of you and your families with a blessed and Merry Christmas and a Glorious and Spirit Filled New Year.