The Anticipation of Advent and the Joy of Christmas

Soon, as a Church family, we will gather to celebrate the most important birthday in all history, the birth of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ. The modest little cave in Bethlehem housed the Incarnation of the Creator of the universe, a baby greeted by angelic songs, shepherds, and a loving Mother, but Who also soon faced the hatred of the world, even as an infant. Yet He gave the power of God’s love.

The Nativity Fast, Orthodox Advent, reminds us in this month to prepare for celebrating Christmas on the ancient and ongoing Church calendar’s Dec. 25 — Jan. 7 on the civil calendar. This is still known in American folklore as “Appalachian Christmas” or “Old Christmas,” as it was the way our American ancestors as well as Orthodox Church forebears observed the coming of Jesus Christ.

We are blessed to be able to focus on the true meaning of Christmas, Jan. 7 (civil calendar), apart from secularized “commercial Christmas.” Please plan ahead now for avoiding work and family scheduling on Tues. Jan. 6 (Christmas Eve) and Jan. 7 (Christmas) on the civil calendar. Worship Him Who is the reason for the season with your Church family! May the Lord give us good strength!

Note: Dec. 25 on the civil calendar is our feast of St. Herman of Alaska and a fish day. If you are gathering with non-Orthodox family, try to plan ahead to prepare a fish dish (salmon etc.) to keep the fast as much as possible. Breaking the fast should be something to confess before taking Communion, and while there can be allowances for travel and for the hospitality of others, it is best to keep our ancient tradition of fasting in honor of our Lord, and to get a blessing or confession for other circumstances. It can also be an opportunity to share the hope of our faith.

St. Nicholas Day services with Prison Ministry discussion. Thurs. Dec. 5/18 Vigil at 6:30 p.m. and Fri. Dec. 6/19 Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m. (Hours at 9:40) will mark the Feast of St. Nicholas of Myra. Liturgy will be followed by discussion about the Prison Ministry with Chaplain Adam from the Muncy SCI, who will be visiting. Traditionally the Feast of St. Nicholas is  a time for gift-giving to children on the Orthodox Church calendar!

Gifts for Children. Please bring any gifts (toys etc.) for children to Church especially Dec. 1/14 through 8/21, including St. Nicholas Day. They will be donated to Union County Children and Youth Services for children in need.

Nativity Fast and Confessions. The Nativity Fast is a time for joyful anticipation of the coming of Jesus Christ into the world. During the Nativity Fast, we participate in a standard fare of “vegan plus shellfish” food, although there are more frequent fish and wine days than during Great Lent (please check the calendar). Orthodox fasting indicates how we strive with God’s help to be less carnivorous in our lives, less consuming of others and Creation, by partaking of food from lower-level beings, echoing the non-carnivority of life in the Garden of Eden and God willing in the life to come, while also hopefully living in a less “dog eat dog” way with family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. The Church Fathers also found in their ascetic practice that eating less rich food also dampened down the passions. Fasting should most of all be from the heart in seeking through God’s uncreated energies to express His love in a self-sacrificing way, loving others more than ourselves as in our Lord’s New Commandment. Alms, mission work, and a spirit of repentance and humility (including the mystery of Confession) are central to the right spirit of the Fast.

Trip to Washington DC in support of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Fr. Paul, Reader Luke, and Cuthbert plan to participate in a national project blessed by Metropolitan Nicholas to acquaint members of Congress and their staff with the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and issues of religious freedom for Orthodox Christians. Dec. 2-4/15-17.

Prayers for the Sick and Keeping in Touch. Please remember in your prayers Mary (Sally), Innocent (Robert), John, and Michael (Misha) in their ongoing medical needs, and consider calling, writing, or visiting (contact Fr. Paul for details.

Catechumen Prayers, Dec. 1/14 scheduled for Aaron. Please keep him in prayer along with Catechumens Zach, Camron, James, Ryan, Scott. Also the newly illumined Nicholas.

Choir Rehearsals We will be holding short choir rehearsals this month in preparation for Nativity, during select coffee hours. Watch for details. Thanks to our Choir team leadership and all who can participate in this important work for building up our mission, glory to God!

Sisterhood News Please keep in touch with the Co-Presidents of our parish Sisterhood of St. Olga of Alaska, Michala Alexander and Matushka Olga, for details on plans for fellowship and cleaning parties. Sophia is handling scheduling food for coffee hour.

Brotherhood News
Our parish Brother of St. Alfred the Great will continue planning more “urban ministry” outreach for festivals and street fairs in the area during winter and spring. This follows our recent presence at the Selinsgrove and Mifflinburg Christkindl fairs.

Prison Ministry Monday mornings, 9 a.m. to 10:30, will be a regular time for visits to the Muncy SCI. Please keep in touch with Fr. Paul if you are interested in participating in this extension of our mission outreach, which is scheduled to begin Dec. 9/22. Note that Chaplain Adam from the prison plans to be with us on St. Nicholas Day, Dec. 6/19, to discuss after Liturgy the prison work.

Updates on Temple Building Work Please keep in prayer for our community and for the work on the Temple. Wehope that the Dome and Cross will be installed soon by our very busy installer.

Regular Weekly Schedule Asking for your prayers and participation, in worship of God and in love for one another. Please bring a friend, neighbor, co-worker, and/or inquirer too!
—Intro to Orthodoxy Class, 10 to 11 a.m., Bucknell.zoom.us/my/Kentigern/

—Saturday Vigil 4:30 p.m. and Sunday Liturgy 10 a.m. (Hours 9:40)

—Bible Study 2:30 p.m., Bucknell bookstore. Focus this month: The Minor Prophets

Wednesday Akathist, 7 p.m.

Parish Contact Info:  Father Paul, 570-863-9039, priestpauls@pm.me

Parish Website: stjohnthewonderworker.com

Parish Bible Study Resources:
https://ecosemiotics.com/bible-study/