Christmas Newsletter

Sunday, 19 December 2010 23:31

"Christ is Born! Glorify Him!"

"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly host praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, good will toward men!"
　
Greetings in Christ's Holy Name!

The season of Christmas brings the challenge of giving. In Nashville, I went to a store passing by a transient who was selling papers. The homeless man was selling newspapers for $1. Out of that dollar he receives 75 cents and the rest goes to the local mission where he is living. This person must be living a sober life from drugs and alcohol. He is required to start a savings account so he can move out of the mission and live on his own. My admonition to this young man was simple. I said, "When you get on your feet, remember your adversity and give to others as you have been given."

"Now behold, one came and said to Him, Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life? So He said to him, Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments. He said to Him, Which ones? Jesus said, You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and your mother, and You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The young man said to Him, all these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack? Jesus said to him, If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven: and come, follow Me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions." (Matthew 19:16-22)

 May this season be a time where we truly live to give. To give your hearts to Christ, to give of our time by attending more services and especially to be kind to the needy.

May you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,

 Very Rev. Fr. David Ogan

Antiochian Christian Archdiocese of North America