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2 THE SHEPHERD • DECEMBER 2025 • SAINT SPYRIDON GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF SAN DIEGO Dear Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, It is December, and we now find ourselves fully immersed in the Holiday season. I hope that everyone enjoyed a blessed Thanksgiv- ing with family and friends — a celebration whose origins lie in the Puritans’ gratitude to God for His abundant provisions. This re- ligious foundation, however, is seldom em- phasized in today’s increasingly secular so- ciety. The same is true for Christmas, during which we, as Orthodox Christians, celebrate the Nativity of Christ and joyfully proclaim: “Christ is Born! Glorify Him!” As someone who still listens to FM radio in the car, I tune in to the all-Christmas-music sta- tion throughout the season. Over the years, I have no- ticed a growing trend: the playlists have become more and more secular, while traditional hymns and car- ols centered on the Nativity receive less and less airtime. I encourage you to pay attention to this shift. Think of how often we hear Jin- gle Bells, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and Mistletoe compared to Silent Night, O Come All Ye Faithful, or We Three Kings. Pop Quiz: How many of us can name all of Santa’s reindeer — and how many can name the three Wise Men who brought gifts to the Christ Child? Likewise, as you drive through neighbor- hoods adorned for the season, take note of how many displays feature manger scenes or other religious imagery compared with pure- ly secular decorations. When I was in grade school, our time off in December was labeled as Christmas Vaca- tion. Today, it is Winter Break. “Christmas on the Prado” in Balboa Park has become “December Nights.” These changes reflect a broader cultural shift away from the Chris- tian meaning of the holiday. A popular bumper sticker says, “Put Christ back in Christmas.” Let us strive to do exactly that — be- coming beacons of light to others. As I mentioned last month, we are blessed to see increased attendance at our services, a testament to the faithful who have preserved the religious traditions of Christmas and continue to offer others a path toward a Christ-centered life. And in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi’s timeless exhortation: “Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary… use words.” In Christ’s Love and Service, Anthony Kyriakidis Parish Council President FROM THE PARISH COUNCIL PRESIDENT TREASURE HUNT How can you tell if a scene depicted in an icon is indoors or outdoors? What colors sig- nify the two natures of Christ? Why would Mary’s inner garment be green in the icon of the Annunciation, when we normally see her robed in blue and red? Why does John the Forerunner sometimes appear with wings in an icon if he is not an angel? On Saturday, November 8, relying upon our study guide, Seeing the Gospel , the Women of the Word began following the clues we are learning to discover the treasures of theology hidden within icons. Who knew so much could be going on in the depiction of a major feast, a saint, or a Biblical scene? Suddenly, we are finding hidden gems before our very eyes. The icon on the cover of our simple Sunday bulletin presents a window into the spiritual significance of the day that we can joyfully puzzle over. If this sounds fun to you, please consider joining us on the second Saturday of each month as we explore the deeper meaning and teaching of our Or- thodox icons. Our next meeting is Saturday, December 13, when we will devote an entire lesson to the many icons representing the Nativity of our Lord. What a wonderful way to bring the true meaning of the season alive! To learn more about joining our study, please contact our ministry leader, Kay Harkins at kayharkins@mac.com . A joyous and fruitful Nativity fast to all! “Christmas on the Prado” in Balboa Park has become “December Nights.” These changes reflect a broader cul- tural shift away from the Christian meaning of the holiday. WOMEN WORD OF THE ACOLYTES Thank you to all who attended our annual Altar Boy Retreat. The retreat consisted of meaningful time in the Sanctuary with Fa- ther Andrew, followed by a service project where all the boys worked together. After enjoying a hearty lunch, they wrapped up the afternoon with a fun game of kickball with our very own Father Andrew serving for all teams. We thank you for your year-long dedication and commitment to our Acolytes Ministry. Many blessings, Mrs. Angel Gilpin