Pastoral Message from the November Beacon
11/01/2018
Dear Parishioners of our Beloved Assumption,
For most of us, the month of November is defined by the holiday of Thanksgiving - it is a day that we think about all that the Lord has given us. Before Thanksgiving, we have our routines of work and school, but after Thanksgiving, our attention turns to preparations for Christmas.
This year, as we enter this blessed season, let us not only thank God for all that He has given us as individuals, but also for what He has given us as His people. The obvious is His greatest gift - His Son. We look forward to Christmas, let us also look forward to the Nativity of the Lord. This may appear to be only a difference of words, but is it truly a difference of orientation - Christmas is most often looked at as a season, whereas the Nativity of the Lord is an event. In one case we prepare with decorations, presents and feasts - the other takes preparation of prayer, presence (at the Divine Services) and fasting. It is truly possible to do both, but for most, the event gets lost in the season. Some have even told me that they don’t attend Church around Christmas because they are too busy preparing for Christmas - is this not completely backwards?
Our Father in Heaven, showed us His commitment to us by giving His Son for our salvation; for this, we show thanksgiving. Let us also make a change in each of our lives by showing our commitment to Him, through heightened participation and our complete obedience.
Thanking the Lord for His Blessings on us,
I remain in His Service,
Rev. Father Jon Boukis
Proistamenos
“Attract, Serve, Illuminate”