THE PROMISE

DECEMBER 2008
“God did not tell us to follow Him
because He needed our help,
but because He knew that loving
Him would make us whole.”

St. Irenaeus

DATES TO REMEMBER: INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

DECEMBER 7
PARISH ASSEMBLY
DECEMBER 21
PARISH CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON & PROGRAM
GOYA CHRISTMAS PARTY
DECEMBER 24
CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE
6:30PM
DECEMBER 25
FEAST OF THE NATIVITY LITURGY 9:30AM
DECEMBER 31
DIVINE LITURGY OF ST. BASIL
FOR THE NEW YEAR 6:30 PM
JANUARY 4
PHILOPTOCHOS VASILOPITA
GOYA BB TOURNAMENT FEE DUE!
A Message from our Pastor.....................2
Holiday Services.......................................3
News & Notes...........................................5
Our IOCC Project....................................6
A Christmas Sermon................................7
Fighting For Christ at Christmas..............8
Carnival Scenes.......................................10
New Mexico Travelers...........................12
JOY Scenes.............................................17
Kids Page................................................18
A Christmas Carol.................................19
December Calendar...............................20
PAGE 1
THE PROMISE
PASTORAL MESSAGE
These are tumultuous days. A host of fears and anxieties
continue to seep deeper into the American psyche:
rollercoaster stock markets, bailouts, terrorism, job losses
and home foreclosures. Despite the joyful season of
Christmas that we are in, these issues are creating an
undercurrent of palatable despair. Indeed there is no
question that these issues are cause for genuine concern,
the problems that confront us are very real, but as faithful
Christian men and women we can no more turn a blind
eye to these serious matters than turn a deaf ear to the
calm, still voice of our Lord and our God. For the fact of
the matter is that in spite of the trepidation that swirls all
around us, and despite the
thunderous roar of uncertainty,
WHAT
before His Holy Altar, we hear
the soothing voice of God
echoing from the Scriptures
and telling us: “Do not be
afraid. For I, the Lord God
am with you.” DO WE
REALLY
These are not the words of a
politician or an accountant.
But this is the promise of a
loving God who knows every
WANT TO DO
hair on our head, and is not
indifferent towards us or our
plight. The Word of the Lord
telling His children “do not be
afraid” has girded Christians
for for over 2000 years, and it is this very pledge that has
comforted men and women of God since the beginning
of the Old Testament. The Lord assuring mankind not
to be afraid is a hallmark of His Divine Revelation and
has never been taken lightly. At all times and in all places,
it has been received by people of faith as a clarion call to
not only trust Him, but whole heartedly embrace His
everlasting love and His strength
Now, no less than ever, the words of the Lord (do not be
afraid) must be kept close to our heart and echo in our
thoughts if we are to aptly face the challenges that lay
ahead; let alone honestly respond to God's invitation to
life in Him! It is therefore perhaps not by coincidence
that the phrase “do not be afraid” occurs 365 times in the
Holy Bible (once for every day of the year). This makes
PAGE 2
it even more obvious that our good and gracious Lord is
keenly aware of the power of fear to limit our goodness in
the course of our life. After all, it is fear that kills hopes and
dreams, just as it is fear itself that withers the flower of faith.
It is fear - both real and imagined - that more often than not
prevents people from truly trusting God. In fact, our fears
are the single greatest obstacle to growing in Christ and
accomplishing the things He intends for us and His plan
for the salvation of the world. Being afraid of what might
be expected of us, not wanting to take risks, and being
shackled by the uncertainty generated by sin and evil, has
led people throughout the ages to instead invent convenient
gods and create false religions.
The fact of the matter is that for
us to allow fear to paralyze us
and become our constant
companion, is to hand over control
of our life to it. Allowing our
fears to direct our ways and sole
inform our perspective, gives
them the power to drive us away
from Christ. Fear will shadow us
for as long as we draw breath,
this is the sad reality of living in a
world full sin and evil; but we
cannot allow it to destroy us or
our faith. As someone once said,
“Fear is a darkroom, where negatives
are developed!” To which the
Church responds in no uncertain terms that the light of
Christ alone, has the power to destroy all of the negatives.
Do we fear what our future holds? Do we fear that things
are beyond our control? Do we fear the machinations of
the financial markets? Or do we fear the scheming of Al
Qaeda?
Are we afraid of disappointing others? Are we afraid of
being rejected? Are we afraid of being alone? Or are we
afraid of death?
These are all natural emotions in a fallen world! But we
cannot allow them to become the masters of our life, and
in the process have such trepidations deny us eternal life.
(Continued on Page 4)
 THE PROMISE
THE FEAST OF THE NEW YEAR’S SERVICE
NATIVITY SERVICES The Annunciation family will
welcome the dawn of a New Year and celebrate the
The sacred and
feast day of St. Basil the Great with the
blessed essence of
DIVINE LITURGY
Christmas is far
greater than any OF ST. BASIL FOR THE NEW YEAR on
other conceivable
family tradition
WEDNESDAY
or obligation. DECEMBER 31ST AT 6:30PM.
The Lord God
taking on flesh LET US PRAISE
in order to know
OUR LORD
Him better, draw
closer to Him TOGETHER AND
and be saved by WELCOME 2009
Him is awe WITH PRAISES
inspiring in every TO OUR LORD!!!
sense. Hence,
the Nativity of our Lord & Savior naturally calls us
together as an Orthodox Christian Church family in
His Holy House in order to sing His praises and
partake of His life-giving Body and Blood at Holy HOW TO PLEASE THE LORD
Communion.
Of the many ways we
There simply is no Christmas without Christ. can show the Lord
There is no Christmas joy without assembling in just how important
prayer within His Holy Church. We at the Annunciation He is to us and our
will have the great and high privilege to herald the life, perhaps nothing
birth of our Saviour together as follows: is as meaningful as
when we come to
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24TH - worship Him at His
House at the appoint-
Christmas Eve ed time. To do this as
Candlelight Service an expression of love
and not just because
Vesperal Liturgy - 6:30 pm it is our obligation as
Orthodox Christians,
HHHH speaks volumes about the content of our heart and the
importance of Christ in our life. Just as when our own
children do something we ask of them, not because
DECEMBER 25TH - they “have to” but because it will please us, so too will
The Feast of the Nativity the Lord be moved by an ongoing commitment to
attend the services on time.
Divine Liturgy - 9:30 am
MATINS, 9:00AM / DIVINE LITURGY, 10:00AM

PAGE 3
THE PROMISE
PASTOR’S MESSAGE FOR THOSE WHO LOVE THE
(Continued From Page 2)
BEAUTY OF HIS HOUSE
Fear is a genuine feeling; but so is the fact that “God is with
us!” The Lord telling us “Do not be afraid” are scattered Pending the approval of
throughout the Scriptures as 'stars' are sprinkled through- Metropolitan
out the night sky, but these words shine only because they Nicholas the
are based on the truth that God is with us. In the words Annunciation will
of the great prophet Isaiah, the only cure for the fever of be able to continue to
fear is the promise of the Living God who says: “Do not enhance the beauty
be afraid, I AM with you.” And then as if His words were of this His Church
not enough, God sent us Jesus Christ and established His with the purchase
Church - the very fulfillment of His Word. of two Cross icons
Iconographer’s example of the to be installed with-
In Christ and His Church, no matter what storms may icons that would be installed in the two blank
rage around us, we share in His love and life, and we are panels at the back
thereby able to overcome any fear that intends to drown of the Sanctuary as
us. In Christ and His Church, come what may, we are not one exits the Church. It is with great joy that we are
crippled by fear but are made complete in Him. Indeed pleased to announce that these two icons have been
one could easily argue that our Orthodox Christian faith donated by Gordon and Martha Tyer! Our entire
can be surmised in one simple sentence - “Do not be Church family owe the Tyer’s a great debt of gratitude
afraid! God love us, Christ is with us!” for their faithful generosity above and beyond the call of
duty!
So as we face a new and particularly uncertain year, let
alone the remaining days of our life on earth, may the Thank You Gordon & Martha!!!
words of Lord: “Do not be afraid, for I am with you” and
the reality of Jesus Christ strengthen us, support us,
embolden us and comfort us. For the only way to meet
and endure all of the problems that we face is with the
faith in the Lord! The only way to balance our concerns is
by an abiding relationship with God! The only real antidote to
fear is the life of Christ that His Holy Church provides. In
the Holy Trinity, we find the Truth that alone can for-
tify our sorely tested spirit. In the Lord God, we attain the Father Nicholas,
confidence needed to meet the new day. In His Church, The Parish Council,
we behold His promises fulfilled. As St. Paul to the The Annunciation Staff,
Romans 8:14-18: “For all who are led by the Spirit of God and ALL of the Ministries of the
are sons and daughters of God. For you did not receive Annunciation
the spirit of slavery in order to fear, but you have received Wish you and yours
the spirit of adoption by Him who we cry out, "Abba!
Father!" The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit a Most Blessed Christmas
that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, and a Happy New Year!
heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if we indeed suf-
fer with Him, we will be glorified with Him.”

Brothers and sisters in Christ God has indeed visited His

people, Be not afraid, God is with us!

Rev. Dr. Nicholas J. Verdaris

PAGE 4
 THE PROMISE
OUR STEWARDSHIP ANNUNCIATION CHRISTMAS
Without the faithful dedication of the members of the LUNCHEON & PROGRAM
Annunciation Church family manifesting the light of
Christ in word, thought and deed, our parish would The Annunciation will be hosting its annual Christmas
be lost. Our goal for 2008 is $320,000 thus far our Luncheon on December 21st immediately following
Church has received $190,000. We thank all those the Divine Liturgy. You & yours are warmly invited!!!
who faithfully submitted their 2008 Stewardship Card
and hope that those who have not yet done so, will During this very special luncheon our Sunday School
choose to respond to the Church soon. Our annual students will also be presenting the annual Christmas
Stewardship commitment is tangible evidence of our Program - you will not want to
love and devotion to God and His Church, and the miss it. Rumor has it that
fact of the matter is that each and every one of us is an a very jolly fellow may
integral part of God’s plan for the Annunciation in even pop in for a
Little Rock. With every Church family member joy- visit. Please join
ously sharing a portion of their time, talent and treas- us!!!
ure with Christ at the Annunciation, we will certainly
accomplish much to the glory of God. Lets
Have A
“Let us commit ourselves and our whole life Merry
to Christ our God” Christmas
Together at
Please remember to submit your 2009
the Annunciation!
Stewardship Commitment on Sunday,
December 21st!

UPCOMING GOYA PLANS

SERVICES FOR THE
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7TH - after Sunday School FEAST OF EPIPHANY AND
we need to stay and help decorate the Church Hall for
Christmas during the Parish Assembly. ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21ST - Our annual Christmas
Party. Check your email for more details. EVE OF EPIPHANY:
Monday, January 5th -
9:30am
JANUARY 4TH - The travel fee for the 2009
Basketball Tournament in Albuquerque,, NM is due
EPIPHANY:
Tuesday, January 6th
JANUARY 15-119TH - The annual Basketball Tournament 9:30am
in Albuquerque,, NM.
FEAST OF ST. JOHN:
Wednesday, January 7th
- 9:30am

PAGE 5
THE PROMISE
OUR IOCC SCHOOL KIT
MISSION PROJECT
Can you imagine going to school without a pencil
or a notebook? Well, in most of the countries
where the IOCC (International Orthodox Christian
Charities) works, there are children who do not
have even these basic school supplies.
We at the Annunciation have a wonderful oppor-
tunity to provide the tools needed for these children
during the Christmas and New Year’s season through
the IOCC. By putting together these school kits,
we can give less fortunate children the basics tools
they need to do well in school.
These are the items needed for each kit:
Š ONE pair of blunt scissors (rounded tip)
Š THREE 70-count spiral or tape-bound pads of 8-
inch by 10.5-inch ruled paper or pads with 200-
210 sheets (please do not provide loose-leaf or
filler paper)
Š SIX new pencils with erasers
Š ONE hand-held pencil sharpener
Š ONE 2.5-inch pink eraser
Š ONE 12-inch ruler (30 centimeters)
Š ONE box of 24 crayons (24-count box only!)
You can bring these supplies to the church beginning
the week of Thanksgiving and continuing through
January 10th. The bags that will contain these supplies
are being graciously provided by Philoptochos. We
will have a day in January at the church to pack up
the supplies and then send them on to the IOCC
which will make sure these bags reach the children
where they are needed.
PAGE 6
CHRISTMAS HUMOR
Q: What kind of candle burns longer, a red candle
or a green candle?
A: Neither - Candles always burn shorter!
Q: How do sheep in Mexico say Merry Christmas?
A: Fleece Navidad!
Q: What do elves learn in school?
A: The elf-abet!
Q: What is the difference between the Christmas
alphabet and the ordinary alphabet?
A: The Christmas Alphabet has “No L” (Noel)!
Q: What do snowmen eat for breakfast?
A: Frosted Flakes!
Q: What does a cat on the beach have in common
with Christmas?
A. Sandy Claws!
Q: Why was Santa’s little helper depressed?
A. He had low elf esteem!
Q: What did the ghost say to Santa Claus?
A. “I’ll have a boo Christmas without you...”
Q: What do you get when you cross a snowman
with a vampire?
A: Frostbite!
Q: Why does Santa have 3 gardens?
A: So he can hoe, hoe hoe!
Q: What Christmas Carol is a favorite of parents?
A: “Silent Night”
Q: What do you call people who are afraid of
Santa Claus?
A: Claustrophobic!

CHRISTMAS MORNING
SERMON
by St. John Chrysostom
BEHOLD a new and wondrous mystery. My ears
resound to the Shepherd's song, piping no soft
melody, but chanting full forth a heavenly hymn. The
Angels sing. The Archangels blend their voice in har-
mony. The Cherubim hymn their joyful praise. The
Seraphim exalt His glory. All join to praise this holy
feast, beholding the Godhead here on earth, and man
in heaven. He Who is above, now for our redemption
dwells here below; and he that was lowly is by divine
mercy raised.
Bethlehem this day resembles heaven; hearing from
the stars the singing of angelic voices; and in place of
the sun, enfolds within itself on every side, the Sun of
justice. And ask not how: for where God wills, the
order of nature yields. For He willed, He had the
power, He descended, He redeemed; all things yield-
ed in obedience to God. This day He Who is, is
Born; and He Who is, becomes what He was not. For
when He was God, He became man; yet not depart-
ing from the Godhead that is His. Nor yet by any loss
of divinity became He man, nor through increase
became He God from man; but being the Word He
became flesh, His nature, because of impassability,
remaining unchanged.
And so the kings have come, and they have seen the
heavenly King that has come upon the earth, not
bringing with Him Angels, nor Archangels, nor
Thrones, nor Dominations, nor Powers, nor
Principalities, but, treading a new and solitary path,
He has come forth from a spotless womb.
Since this heavenly birth cannot be described, neither
does His coming amongst us in these days permit of
too curious scrutiny. Though I know that a Virgin this
day gave birth, and I believe that God was begotten
before all time, yet the manner of this generation I
have learned to venerate in silence and I accept that
this is not to be probed too curiously with wordy
speech. For with God we look not for the order of
THE PROMISE
nature, but rest our faith in the power of Him who
works.
What shall I say to you; what shall I tell you? I behold a
Mother who has brought forth; I see a Child come to
this light by birth. The manner of His conception I can-
not comprehend.
Nature here rested, while the Will of God labored. O
ineffable grace! The Only Begotten, Who is before all
ages, Who cannot be touched or be perceived, Who is
simple, without body, has now put on my body, that is
visible and liable to corruption. For what reason? That
coming amongst us he may teach us, and teaching, lead
us by the hand to the things that men cannot see. For
since men believe that the eyes are more trustworthy
than the ears, they doubt of that which they do not see,
and so He has deigned to show Himself in bodily pres-
ence, that He may remove all doubt.
Christ, finding the holy body and soul of the Virgin,
builds for Himself a living temple, and as He had willed,
formed there a man from the Virgin; and, putting Him
on, this day came forth; unashamed of the lowliness of
our nature'. For it was to Him no lowering to put on
what He Himself had made. Let that handiwork be for-
ever glorified, which became the cloak of its own
Creator. For as in the first creation of flesh, man could
not be made before the clay had come into His hand, so
neither could this corruptible body be glorified, until it
had first become the garment of its Maker.
A NEW YEAR’S PRAYER:
Let this be a year that moves us
one step closer to each other.
Let this be a year that brings us
understanding in our hearts.
Let this be a year that fills us
with a yearning, burning feeling
for peace with one another
and a oneness, Lord, with You!
PAGE 7
THE PROMISE
FIGHTING FOR CHRIST AT
CHRISTMAS -
COMBATING SECULARISM
Fr. George Morelli
Orthodox Christian parents (and all Christian parents)
are approaching the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord,
God and Savior, Jesus Christ. You would never know
this however, by watching secular media. Most in the
media see Santa and shopping as the start and end of
Christmas, now renamed as the bland and non-descript
"Holiday Season" (will it still remain a Holiday when
the Holy Day of Christmas is finally forgotten?).
Think back when poems like Clement C. Moore's "A
Visit from St. Nicholas" (we know it as "Twas the Night
Before Christmas") was part of the cultural mainstream.
Today political correctness prohibits any mention of
the poem because of its implicit religious tone.
Consider just the first few verses: “Twas the night
before Christmas, when all through the house, Not a
creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings
were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St.
Nicholas soon would be there. The children were nes-
tled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar-plums
danced in their heads.” Two sins against politically
correct dogma are already committed in these opening
lines. The first is the mention of the word "Christmas,"
and the second is the word "Saint." "Sugar-plums" passes
muster of course.
Sound extreme? It shouldn't. Poll children under fourteen
and see how many of them know the Christmas standards
like "Joy to the World" or "O Little Town of
Bethlehem." You will find that most don't know them
at all. They will, however, be able to sing "Rudolph the
Red Nosed Reindeer," "Jingle Bells," maybe even
"Sleigh Ride" with no problem at all. There is nothing
inherently wrong with these songs, but Christmas is
more than innocuous fun -- or so we once believed.
A "HOLIDAY" QUIZ
Parents, take this quiz and then give it to your children:
1.) What are you thinking about, what are the "Holiday
visions" dancing in your head?
PAGE 8
2) What are you really looking forward to as the
"Holidays" are approaching?
My experience as a parish priest is that most answers
from our children would be: the toys, gadgets or clothes
they want to receive. Most adults would answer the fam-
ily meal and getting together with relatives and close
friends.
In the secular world the answers above merit an "A+." If
life has no religious dimension, if God is not a part of
personal life, then He will be abstracted from the cul-
ture as well. What then is left, except the accumulation
of more things? From a Christian perspective however,
the answers merit an "F." Remember the words of
Christ: "For where your treasure is, there will your heart
be also," (Matthew. 6: 21). These words of Christ were
actually part of the "Sermon on the Mount, in which
Jesus expounded on what the Kingdom of God
required. "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on
earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves
break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in
heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and
where thieves do not break in and steal," (Matthew 6:
19-20). How far we have strayed from the teachings of
Our Lord on His Kingdom!
THE ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN DOMESTIC CHURCH
In Orthodox teaching, all commitment to Christ must
begin in the home. All teaching about what is the
essence of the Kingdom of God, must begin in the
home. Thus, if the handing over of Tradition begins in
the home, so does the breaking with the past that leads
to the home becomes secularized. In Orthodox
Christianity, the home is called the domestic church,
correctly implying that all Christian teaching is first cul-
tivated in the home, and then in the parish community.
The conception of the domestic church arises from
home churches of early Christianity. As Christians were
no longer welcome in the Jewish temple, they brought
vestiges of synagogue worship into their homes along
with the early prayers of the church and the Eucharist
(the structure of this early worship is still evident in the
Orthodox Divine Liturgy today). St. Paul talked about
these home churches in his epistle to the Romans,
when he said: "Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow
(Continued On Page 13)
 THE PROMISE

OUTREACH COMMITTEE F FELLOWSHIP HOUR G

MEET & GREET SCHEDULE
NOV. 2ND NED & JOE ALLEY
December 7th . . . . . . . . . . . . Jack Weatherly NOV. 9TH NAIM & GHADA HADDAD
December 14th . . . . . . . . . . . . Jarrod Russell NOV. 16TH DUKE & JAMES NIX hosted a luncheon
December 21st . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike Rutter in honor and memory of beloved
December 28th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amy Bailey wife and mother, SARA NIX
NOV. 23RD THE WILCOX FAMILY sponsored the
January 4th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robin Jones Thanksgiving Luncheon
January 11th . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sharon Johnson NOV. 30TH ANNUNCIATION CHURCH FAMILY
January 18th . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carole Hawkins
January 25th . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jeannie Newton WE NEED SPONSORS
FOR THE COMING MONTHS ! ! !

If you or your family would like to commemorate

SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHEDULE a special event, honor the memory of a loved one
or would simply like to offer a gift to the
DEC. 21ST Christmas Program (Pre-School - 5th Grade Annunciation family. . . you too can sponsor a
will rehearse in the Ballroom; classes in Fellowship Hour!
session for 6th - 12th Grade)
PLEASE CHECK THE BULLETIN
DEC. 22ND Christmas Break Begins
B O A R D A N D S I G N U P T O D A Y!
JAN. 4TH Classes Resume; there will be a Staff Meeting
immediately following class in the 4th-5th
grade classroom

T HE P ROMISE : J AN . 2009
Please note that articles and information for
the January 2009 edition of
The Promise are due no later
than December 10th!

This bulletin is the primary

means of communication
within our Church family:

T OGETHER , WE
MAKE IT S H I N E ! ! !

PAGE 9
THE PROMISE

A Carnival of FUN!

PAGE 10
THE PROMISE

PAGE 11
THE PROMISE
THANK YOU!!! HOUSE BLESSINGS!
The Annunciation Church
family extends its heart- If you would like your home to be blessed for the New
felt thanks to all those Year... this announcement is for you! As is the tradition
who offered their time of the Church following the feast of Theophany,
and talent to ensure that Orthodox Christians may ask to have their homes
our annual Thanksgiving blessed by the priest with holy water. Beginning
Luncheon and Stewardship December 7th and ending
Presentation was a won- December 28th, a sign-up
derful event. The abiding sheet will be posted in
manifestation of Christian Gabriel Hall for all those in
love, faithfulness and creativity always make such nice a Church family who would
gatherings possible. As a Church family we must also like to have their home
take this opportunity to offer our profound thanks to blessed the New Year.
the Wilcox family, who in their love for the PLEASE HELP MAKE THIS
Annunciation graciously donated the dinner so that ENORMOUS UNDERTAKING

the proceeds of this event may further the ministries ORDERLY BY REGISTERING

of this parish. United in Christ, we all give thanks to DURING THE MONTH OF

God as His faithful servants. DECEMBER. All those who

kindly register their name by
ATTENTION December 28th will then be
contacted by Father Nicholas
NEW MEXICO after the feast of Epiphany
TRAVELERS to make arrangements for a
blessing.

Please note that the final fee

for all those registered to THE ANNUNCIATION
attend the 2009 Basketball
Tournament will be $250.
BOOKSTORE
The fee includes hotel rooms for four nights, airfare
and all of our ground transportation needs. A check Looking to learn more about your Orthodox
made payable to the Annunciation GOYA is due no Christian faith?
later than Sunday,, January 4th. Check out the Annunciation Bookstore!

We shall be taking off with Southwest Airlines #898 Shopping for that perfect and unique gift for
on Thursday, January 15th @ 3:25pm and returning someone special?
on Southwest Airlines # 194 on Monday, January, 19 Check out the Annunciation Bookstore!
@ 9:40pm. Travelers, you will be getting specific
details shortly - stay tuned. Are you looking for a beautiful icon to adorn your
home or prayer corner?
Finally, The Tournament’s charity will be to support Check out the Annunciation Bookstore!
victims of domestic violence. They are asking each
participant to bring a $5 or $10 gift card from
Walmart,, Target or Kmart. The gift cards will be The Annunciation Bookstore -
collected at Registration and presented at the Awards
Banquet to the Director of S.A.F.E. House. Learn It Has Something For Everyone!
more about S.A.F.E. House at www.safehousenm.org.
PAGE 12

FIGHTING FOR CHRIST
AT CHRISTMAS
(Continued From Page 8)
workers in Christ Jesus ... greet also the church in their
house" (Romans 16: 3-5). To the Corinthians he wrote:
"The churches of Asia send greetings. Aquila and
Prisca together with the church in their house, send you
hearty greetings in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 16:19).
After the Roman persecution of Christians was lifted
and Christianity ceased being an outlaw religion with
Constantine's Edict of Milan in 311, Christians were
able to build their own churches. Nevertheless, the cen-
trality of family as the center of church life was main-
tained. Even today the leaders of the domestic church
are the husband and wife, mother and father. The
words of Christ as recorded by St. Matthew (18:20):
"For where two or three are gathered in my name, there
am I in the midst of them" (Matthew 18:20), are espe-
cially relevant to His presence in the domestic church.
Husbands and wives are uniquely suited and equipped
for domestic ministry. The inherent dignity and impor-
tance of the Christian parenting is revealed through a
prayer read by the priest in the Orthodox wedding service
when a couple is first married: "Unite them in one mind
and one flesh, and grant unto them fair children for edu-
cation in the faith and fear ..." This prayer embodies the
Christ-centered parental vocation and reveals the theo-
logical underpinnings of the domestic church.
PARENTS ARE THE LEADERS AND TEACHERS IN THE
DOMESTIC CHURCH
Previously I wrote that ideally, a true Orthodox
Christian domestic church in our day should look like
(but is not limited to) something like this: Jesus Christ
is at the center or hub. Husbands, and wives, as such,
and as fathers and mothers, should be the leaders of
the "church at home" in Christ's name. They should
bless one another and their children, bless the food
which is partaken, give thanksgiving for all that God has
provided (house, furnishings, etc.), thank God for
health and talents, and lead by the sanctity of their con-
duct as well as their words.
THE PROMISE
We nurture the spiritual vitality of the domestic church
in several ways. For example, parents can remember
the Feasts of the Church with prayers, and the recitation
of troparia and kontakia (special hymns used in the
Orthodox Church that explain the significance of the feast),
as well as the Epistle and Gospel readings of the day.
Daily scripture can be read and discussed. Daily
prayers, at least at morning and evening should be part
of the domestic church activities. All family members
should take part in these prayers and readings.
Following the Sign of Cross made by the father and/or
mother, each family member may take a turn reading a
line from the prayers, scripture or reading texts of the
day. The leaders of the domestic church should also be
theologians and educators of themselves and their chil-
dren imparting knowledge and practice.
THE FEAST OF THE NATIVITY
The Nativity of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
How many know the full theological meaning of the
Nativity Feast? If we don't, we become susceptible the
secularizing energy (fed by a commercial spirit) of the
culture. Put another way, one of the most powerful
things we can do for our families to counter the slide
into the spiritual wasteland of the commercial culture is
to deepen our understanding about the Nativity of
Christ. Parents must teach themselves first, and then
they can teach their children.
It starts way back in Genesis. Adam and Eve were
made in God's image and called to be like Him. They
start out in Paradise with the potential of full union with
God but still experienced testing. They failed the test by
the sin of pride. They are cast out of paradise into the
world and are disordered -- inclined to sin and destined
for death. We are the offspring of Adam and partake of
these same maladies.
God responded to this deep existential catastrophe in
many ways -- all leading to the Incarnation of His Son.
A signature event was the calling of Abraham (then
called Abraam) our of a land riddled with paganism
and polytheism. God made a covenant with Abraham
that made him the leader of God's people -- the people
of the First Covenant (Genesis 17) -- and the "father of
many nations."
(Continued on page 15)
PAGE 13
THE PROMISE
2009 ANNUNCIATION PARISH THERE IS STILL TIME!
COUNCIL ELECTION NOTICE Help support the ministries of the Annunciation as well
as share your Christmas love with your Church family
by including your family name in the
Elections for a position on
the Annunciation Parish ANNUNCIATION COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CARD.
Council will be held on
SUNDAY , D ECEMBER 7, For $15.00 you can sup-
2008. Please note that with port the work of the
four positions on the parish and spread some
Parish Council available love. Sign up now, and
and only four candi- you can rest assured that
dates running, the Parish everyone in our Church
Council election will simply take place during the family receives your loving
Parish Assembly on December 7th. We thank Christmas wishes.
Haitham Alley, Ron Harb, Rick Newton and Eva For further details and /
Sargent for their continuing service. or to register your name,
see Anna Clift or Eva
SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION Sargent.

BOARD ELECTIONS EXPLORE THE ORTHODOX

The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church
Scholarship Foundation will conduct an election for
its Board of Trustees on Sunday, December 7, 2008
(the same day as the Parish Council elections). There
are five open positions, and each Board member
serves a two-year term. In order to serve on the
Board, you must be a member in good standing of the
Annunciation. If you have any questions about the
Scholarship Foundation, please see George Plastiras,
current president of the Board. Thank you for
considering service on the Scholarship Foundation
Board of Trustees.
WORDS OF WISDOM:
"'There is not peace on earth,' I said
'For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men"
"Then pealed the bells more loud and deep
'God is not dead, nor doth He sleep,
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men.'"
CHRISTIAN FAITH!
Sometimes we don’t know when and where to ask
questions and thus we weaken our own ability to
better testify to the faith that we hold and that we
ourselves sometimes struggle to grasp. The solu-
tion? Orthodox Study Class! We will be meeting
again this month with our own Fr. Nicholas in
order to further explore our Orthodox Christian
Faith in light of the Gospel according to Matthew.
We will use the Gospel as the cornerstone of our
study, but questions and discussions will not be lim-
ited, they will be as broad as YOU want. Anyone &
Everyone are invited to attend - no previous
experience or expertise is necessary!
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3RD
AT 6:30 PM
Through study and
discussion,
together
we can expand
our faith!

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FIGHTING FOR CHRIST AT
CHRISTMAS
(Continued From Page 13)
As the people grew in number and over the course of
centuries various prophets emerged, among them
Isaiah, who said that God would send a Messiah (a
deliverer and king): “Therefore the Lord himself will
give you a sign. Behold, a young woman shall conceive
and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanu-el. He
shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse
the evil and choose the good (Isaiah 7: 14-15). The
prophet described Immanu-el: "For to us a child is
born, to us a son is given; and the government will be
upon his shoulder, and his name will be called
"Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting
Father, Prince of Peace." Of the increase of his gov-
ernment and of peace there will be no end, upon the
throne of David, and over his kingdom, to establish it,
and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and for evermore. The zeal of the
Lord of hosts will do this” (Isaiah 9: 6-7).
The Prophet Jeremiah added: “Behold, the days are
coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a
righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal
wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the
land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell
securely. And this is the name by which he will be called:
"The Lord is our righteousness" (Jeremiah 23: 5-6).
The prophet Micah told us the Messiah would be born
in Bethlehem: "But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who
are little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall
come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose origin is from of old, from ancient days"
(Michah 5:2).
King and Prophet David, in his beautiful Psalm 72 fore-
told of kings bringing Jesus gifts: "Give the king thy justice,
O God, and thy righteousness to the royal son! ... may the
kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts! (Psalm 72:1,10).
When Jesus was born, He took on our flesh but
remained God thereby enabling us to partake of His
nature. In his second epistle St. Peter (1: 2-4) wrote:
"May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the
knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine
THE PROMISE
power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and
godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us
to his own glory and excellence, by which he has grant-
ed to us his precious and very great promises, that
through these you may escape from the corruption that
is in the world because of passion, and become partakers
of the divine nature."
The whole life of Jesus, His teachings, the Last Supper,
Calvary, His Death and the Resurrection is tied to this.
Parents, the leaders, and teachers of the domestic
church have to work with their children to make these
connections between feasts such as the Nativity, all the
other feasts of the Church.
SOME PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS
Practical suggestions are always useful. Eastern
Christians are well aware that the Advent Season starts
on 15 November (about two weeks longer than Western
Christianity). Religious Western Christians have a beautiful
Advent practice: the Advent Calendar. This tradition
has and can be modified for the longer Eastern pre-
Nativity Season. One such Orthodox publication to help
in developing an Eastern Advent Calendar is by Speier
and Finley (2005). Many domestic church families will
find this book helpful in constructing an Eastern
Christian Advent Calendar. An alternative and fun project
for some families would be to modify an already existing
religious Western Advent Calendar themselves, with
added quotes, from the Old and New Testament
Scriptures such as the ones above, augmented with relevant
sections of the Nativity icon. An excellent comprehen-
sive list of general Advent resources can be accessed at:
www.goarch.org or www.antiochian.org
Family prayer time and discussion of the passages is a
beautiful way to prepare for Christ's birth. The meaning
of the gifts of given by the Magi (prophesied by Micah)
and the giving and receiving of gifts today could be one
topic addressed in the Domestic Church.
The quotes from the Church Fathers on the Feast of the
Nativity (and the other feasts of the Church), may be
especially helpful. Some parents may need a refresher
course in making such connections themselves. Ask the
religious instruction school staff or the teachers in your
parish community, or even your parish priest any questions
(Continued On Page 16)
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THE PROMISE
FIGHTING FOR CHRIST AT
CHRISTMAS
(Continued From Page 15)
you may have. They may also be a wonderful source
for other discussion topics or projects.
Discussing within the domestic church how to keep
the spirit of Christmas alive throughout the year would
also be in order. Ask the children how to put into
practice the often quoted phrase: "it is better to give
than receive". This spirit goes completely against the
self-centered and materialistic culture we live in. It will
probably be an uphill battle but always point to Christ
as our model.
When gifts are received, tie this into being thankful and
giving glory to God for all things. In this guise children
can also be taught how to share what they have been
given. Sharing can start first among family members
and then extended to others.
THE JOY OF CHRISTMAS
In no way do I want to take away the joy of Christmas,
especially for children. The cheer and glee on the
faces of children, when they first look at the Christmas
tree and the presents is so precious. The words of Our
Lord who so loved children, comes to mind: Then
children were brought to him that he might lay his
hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the
people; but Jesus said, "Let the children come to me,
and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the king-
dom of heaven." And he laid his hands on them and
went away" (Matthew 19: 13-15). The important thing
is to Christify all things. Keep Christ in Christmas. It
adds to the joy.
THE MY-W
WAY SECULAR HOLIDAY
Unfortunately, as aggressive secularism takes hold in
the culture, families leave off the important spiritual
dimensions of family life. There are to be no mention
of Christ, no blessings or prayer, worship, praise or
thanksgiving. Names are changed ("Holiday Season"
for example) to purposely eradicated the holiness of
ancient Holy Days like Christmas from the cultural
memory.
PAGE 16
I wonder how many secularists know that the United
States has an official legal holiday called "Christmas."
(U.S. Code TITLE 5 > PART III > Subpart E > CHAPTER
61 > SUBCHAPTER I > § 6103 [http://www4.law.cor-
nell.edu/uscode/5/6103.html]). I fear a spate of apoplexy
may break among secularist if they realized it. They
would try to change Christmas to the Winter Solstice or
some such neo-pagan celebration. Ever notice how neo-
pagan terminology is perfectly fine for public use but ref-
erences to anything Christian is met with vituperation?
The evil one is alive and well.
A COURAGEOUS CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
Not too many years ago any public display of commitment
to Christ was considered to be spiritually inappropriate.
Reticence was prescribed and any behavior short of it
was seen as hypocritical and pharisaical. This practice
was based Christ's indictment of the Pharisees: "Woe to
you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you are like
whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful,
but within they are full of dead men's bones and all
uncleanness" (Matthew 23: 27).
Our Holy Spiritual Father St. Peter of Damaskos
warned: “Approval and gratitude, however, are due not
to the man who receives the gifts but to Him who
bestows them. ... Should such a person thank the Giver,
he does so in the same way as the Pharisee in the
Gospel, and ways to himself, 'I thank Thee, O God that
I am not like other men' (Luke 18: 11). The Evangelist
-- or, rather, God, who know men's hearts -- was right to
say that he spoke "to himself," for the Pharisee was not
speaking to God .. God knew his self-applauding soul...”
(Philokalia, III).
Today, publicly acknowledging being a follower of
Christ is considered socially and politically despicable.
While martyrdom in today's society is not physical, to
witness Christ is to suffer psychological and social tor-
ture. True Christians are assailed, laughed at, mocked,
reviled, verbally defied, and the brunt of scatological
humor.
The root of the word "witness" is from the Greek word
martaria. Thus to be a modern martyr for Christ is sim-
ply to declare oneself to be His follower and stand up
for His teaching.
(Continued On Page 19)
 THE PROMISE

Giddy-U
Up JOY!

PAGE 17
THE PROMISE
A PAGE FOR KIDS...

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FIGHTING FOR CHRIST AT
CHRISTMAS
(Continued From Page 16)
How do we witness for Christ? We can put a Nativity
Scene on lawns or windows, as to be able to be seen by
passersby. We could wear a Christ-birth centered pin on
our clothes. When someone greets us with "Happy
Holidays" we could answer: "Indeed Christ is Born - Glorify
Him (the standard greeting in Orthodox countries). We
could start out a meeting with others with a similar state-
ment: Have a glorious Feast of Christ's-birth some may not
know the meaning of the word 'Nativity' -- 'Christ's birth' is
a phrase that should be understood by all). Children could
be greeted with a phrase like: "Happy birthday Jesus."
Finally, let's bring back "Merry Christmas!"
During a meal with family, friends, or acquaintances,
one can say I would like to say prayer or blessing (this
can be done throughout the year). Among non-
Christians, or un-Churched people a simple statement
can be very powerful: "I would just like to call to mind
the birth of my Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ --
blessings to all." Among those who are committed
Christians, of course, recall of one of the scriptural passages
referring to Our Lord's birth can be recited and a more
direct prayer can be prayed.
A personal rule of life I have adopted during this
Nativity season is that I let no secular greeting by any-
one go unanswered. My responses to secular greetings
are given in charity but I too want to witness to Our
Lord's Birth: CHRIST IS BORN! GLORIFY HIM!
THE PROMISE
A CHRISTMAS CAROL EXPLAINED
Ever wonder what in the world
do leaping lords, French hens,
swimming swans, and especially
the partridge who won't come
out of the pear tree have to do
with Christmas? Well, the beloved
“Twelve Days of Christmas” carol
in fact has an interesting history
and a powerful hidden Christian message.
From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England
were not permitted to practice their faith openly. As a
result someone during that era wrote this carol as a way
to teach the principles of the Christian faith. Each element
in the carol has a code word for a religious reality, that
even a child could learn, remember and love.
> THE PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE was Jesus Christ.
> TWO TURTLEDOVES were the Old and New
Testaments.
> THREE FRENCH HENS stood for faith, hope and love.
> THE FOUR CALLING BIRDS were the four gospels of
Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
> THE FIVE GOLDEN RINGS recalled the Torah or Law,
the first five books of the Old Testament.
> THE SIX GEESE A-LAYING stood for the six days of
creation.
> SEVEN SWANS A-SWIMMING represented the sevenfold
gifts of the Holy Spirit:
Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation,
Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
> THE EIGHT MAIDS A-MILKING were the eight beatitudes.
> NINE LADIES DANCING were the nine fruits of the
Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness,
Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
> THE TEN LORDS A-LEAPING were the ten commandments.
> THE ELEVEN PIPERS PIPING stood for the eleven faithful
disciples.
> THE TWELVE DRUMMERS DRUMMING symbolized the
twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.
So the next time you sing this carol or hear it performed
you now know ...the rest of the story!
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