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1 THE SHEPHERD • DECEMBER 2023 • SAINT SPYRIDON GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF SAN DIEGO FROM THE DESK OF FATHER ANDREW www.theshepherdnews.com The Shepherd Newsletter My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, the joy of the Nativity is upon us and its preparation has begun (the Nativity Fast starts annually on November 15th). God’s Great Gift of love is offered …but (God) emptied Himself, taking on the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross (Phil. 2:7, 8). From the very beginning of His earthly birth, the humility of God is an ever-present reali- ty, for He was born in the humility of a stable found within the confines of a cave. At this humble birth all creation rejoiced and for those of us who believe, that rejoicing con- tinues to this day. The source of our rejoicing is that God, for our salvation, took the initiative and out of love sent His only begotten Son to take on human flesh, to be born in a manger and to subject Himself to this perverted and adul- terous world and to call all men to Himself. Now this call assumes a response; a response like the one given when the shepherds, the Magi and the Wise men were also called . Without hesitation, they heeded that call, dropped what they were doing and followed the direction of the Angel, the Star, etc. Be- cause of their obedience and devotion, they partook and became part of the rejoicing. After the announcement from the angel to the shepherds they went to see and to hear if that which was told to them by the angel was indeed true. They found the babe lying in a manger…and they returned glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it has been told to them (Luke 2:15-21). My friends, where is our place in that rejoic- ing today? We too have received the same profound and saving message the shepherds received and as believers it is upon us to re- spond positively to the message in like man- ner, to find our place in that rejoicing. Make no mistake about it, the shepherds, the wise men, the Magi and all those involved had much to do. Their lives were not much differ- ent than ours. They loved and cared for their children, parents, etc. They were concerned about homes, livelihoods, and the future of their existence. They too were busy and dis- tracted with life’s very real concerns and re- sponsibilities. However, when they heard the message that the Savior of the world was born and that they should go and seek Him , they responded and received the gift of rejoicing. We too have heard that same message over and over again. It is the same message giv- en two thousand years ago: a Savior is born in a cave and He is waiting for our acknowl- edgment, our thanksgiving, our worship, our praise, our gifts, and our presence . As a faith community of Orthodox believers, like those who have come before us, the Divine Liturgy offers us a specific way to partake in that re- joicing, praise, and thanksgiving . The Divine Liturgy celebrating the birth of our Lord of- fers us a real and dynamic way in which to join all those who throughout the ages have rejoiced, praised and thanked God for His freewill Gift of love: the birth of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ. Through many of the hymns of the Church, we hear that we join the angels concelebrating …this reality is not fanciful or a nice theory. It is part of our Holy Tradition founded in Sacred Scripture and expressed throughout the ages by faith- ful Orthodox Christians. My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, this year’s opportunity to be part and parcel of our Orthodox Tradition, and to join those who presently and throughout the ages have The Shepherd The official newsletter publication for the parish of Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church of San Diego I S S U E 3 3 1 • D E C E MB E R 2 0 2 3 continues 12 IN THIS ISSUE FR. ANDREW ............................................. p. 1 PRESIDENT OF THE PARISH COUNCIL, WOMEN OF THE WORD, BOOKSTORE............................................... p. 2 DIVINE SERVICES, HOLY SACRAMENTS, MEMORIALS, NEWS FROM THE LOFT, DEATHS, ACOLYTES .................................p. 3 YOUTH MINISTRIES ................................. p. 4 SENIORS ..................................................... p. 7 PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS .......................... p. 9 GREEK LANGUAGE SCHOOL, A.H.E.P.A. .................................................... p. 11 DANCE & CHORAL, STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE............................................... p. 12 PARISH CALENDAR ................................. p. 14 CONTACT INFORMATION....................... p. 16 Christ is born! Glorify Him! Χ ριστός γεννάται ! Δ οξάσατε !