The Greatest Gifts

“I will love You, O Lord. The Lord is my rock, fortress and deliverer!”

As the congregation exchanges the Kiss of Peace during the Divine Liturgy, the clergy say the above line, and reverence the Holy Gifts on the altar table.

Those words are with me as I write this month’s column, thanking God for blessing me with the opportunity to serve the Saint Haralambos Church community for the past 30 years. I also thank all those in attendance and those who prepared the wonderful luncheon last month celebrating this milestone.

Many good memories, many good people, along with many obstacles and challenges; they are all a part of life. With faith and trust in our good and loving God, and serving His Church for as long as I am able, I find myself looking back with thanksgiving, and looking forward with faith and hope.

In the last year alone, we’ve seen the construction of our Entry Portico, additional outdoor lighting, security cameras, and a fence around our church property. We celebrated the baptism and chrismation of many new and beloved catechumens, blessed our family pets and provided Thanksgiving Dinner for 12 neighborhood families. These all don’t happen by accident or chance, but are the results of a good and dedicated church family, working together with the blessings of our Good and Loving God.

It is the same God that gives us the greatest gift in human history, which we celebrate this month: the birth of His Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Given the name to help us remember and appreciate this most awesome gift, Emmanuel, which means “God with Us.”

Dear Saint Haralambos Church family, let us come together and celebrate our love of God, our love of one another, and our common love for our Church.

I wish all of you a very merry Christmas, and look forward to celebrating and worshiping together our Good and Loving Lord. Christ is Born; Glorify Him!