Newsletter: December 2005

Preparing for Christmas

For people in the world, “preparing for Christmas” simply means doing things like buying presents, getting the tree, decorating the tree, sending Christmas cards, buying the turkey, etc. etc. (And etc!—there seems to be no end to it!) In the Church, however, preparing for Christmas means something more.

Christmas is not simply a time to open gifts. It is also a time to open our souls to Christ, and to receive afresh the gift of His love. But souls are difficult things to open—we have them wrapped up so tightly in the grim wrappings of sloth, anger, lust, envy and covetousness. In order then to open our souls to Christ at Christmas Liturgy and receive the gift of the Feast, we need to shed the sinful wrappings which conceal our souls. And the fastest way to shed these wrappings is in Confession.

Therefore, part of our Orthodox preparation for Christmas must include making a fearless moral inventory of ourselves (as people in the twelve-step programmes call it), and by coming to Confession to offer ourselves in repentance and brokenness to Christ. Without this inner spiritual work, all our fasting can remain fruitless and external. For the Nativity Fast is not just about changing our diet; it is mostly about changing our life.

The Christmas Rush (that horrible North American tradition) threatens to sweep all before it and land us at December 25 before we know it, and before we have had time to prepare for Christmas. Don’t let it sweep away your opportunity to unwrap your soul, and receive the greatest of Christmas gifts—the renewed joy of Jesus on the Feast of His Nativity. Come to Confession soon, and really prepare for Christmas.

All my love,

Fr. Lawrence

 

An appeal from Holy Apostle Barnabas Mission

Fr. Alexis and Holy Apostle Barnabas Mission in Comox are raising funds to build a chapel on Fr. Alexis’ property, so that the Mission will have a more permanent and accessible place to worship. (See their letter on our church bulletin board). Anyone wishing to contribute to this worthy work should send their contribution to Fr. Alexis Nikkel at 3821 Piercy Road, Courtenay, B.C., V9J 1R7 , payable to “Holy Apostle Barnabas Mission".

 

NOTE CHRISTMAS SERVICES SPECIAL TIMES!

• DEC. 24th 6 PM Christmas Eve Vigil
• DEC 25th 9 AM Christmas Day Liturgy (no coffee hour after)

 

Fasting Rules December 2005

All Days until Nativity are regular fast days with no meat, fish, eggs or dairy, wine or olive oil. Exceptions easing the fast somewhat occur on certain feasts.

All days this month are like regular Wednesdays and Fridays except:

• Saturdays & Sundays - fish, wine, oil allowed
• Tues Dec 6 - St. Nicholas - fish, wine, oil allowed
• Mon. Dec 12 - St. Spyridon - fish, wine, oil allowed
• Tues Dec 13 - St.Herman - fish, wine & oil allowed
• Thurs Dec 15 - St Eleutherius - wine & oil allowed
• Sat. Dec 24 - Eve of Nativity - wine & oil allowed
• Sun. Dec 25 - Jan 4 - Fast-free period

 

DECEMBER EVENTS

• Sat. Dec. 3 - St. Herman’s Open House 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
  • Bake Sale, Book Table, cookie-making for the children and hot apple cider for all.
• Tues. Dec. 6 - St. Nicholas Akathist 7:00 p.m.
• Tues. Dec. 13 - St. Herman Vespers7:00 p.m.
• Fri. Dec. 16 - Narnia Night: seeing the movie “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”, with coffee afterwards. (See Ramona for details.)
• Sat. Dec. 17 - 10 am Women’s Brunch and Quiet Day at Theresia Lerche’s home in Chilliwack (see Mat. Sarah for details)
• Fri. Dec. 30 - Men’s Night at Wildemans', 7.30 pm.
• Fr. Lawrence will betaking the period between Christmas and New Year's as time off—Please call only in case of emergency.
• Wed. Vespers will be CANCELLED Dec. 21 & 28

 

Reminders

Confessions:

The OCA standard for confessions is approximately once in six weeks, assuming you are attending services each Sunday. Our local custom is to encourage confession particularly at fasting periods like Advent.

Plan to make an examination of conscience and come to confession in advance of the Nativity Feast.

Times for Confession:

• Before or after Wednesday Vespers
• Before or after the Tuesday services for St. Nicholas (Dec 6) or St. Herman (Dec 13)
• Before or after Saturday Vespers

If you are unable to come at these times, please arrange another time with one of the priests.

House Blessings:

Theophany comes up quickly after Christmas! Plan now to schedule a visit from one of our priests to bless your house for the coming year.