November  2005
 
With the Nativity Fast (Advent) upon us,
what's the point of this season?

The six weeks prior to Christmas (the Nativity of our Lord in the Flesh) is a fasting period that many call Advent. Advent means "coming." It is that period of time when we find ourselves waiting for the coming of the Messiah, the Anointed One, the Christ. (All three terms mean the same thing.) For this reason, it has a different character than other fasting periods. Although there is an element of preparation involved, it is not the same as the Great Fast that precedes Holy Week and Pascha.

The liturgical preparation is limited to the two Sundays before the Nativity and the five days leading up to the feast. Those two Sundays we are reminded of the Holy Ancestors of God and the Holy Fathers, Patriarchs, and Prophets who played a role in the coming of the Messiah. In the hymns of the Sunday cycle of services, we hear of their great faith and are called to build our own.

For most of us, we are anxious to get to the feast - we want the days to rush by. Our preparation usually consists of shopping and decorating, not to speak of the endless parties that we are invited to attend. Here is where the notion of waiting comes into play. We must discipline ourselves through selfcontrol and patience. We are to read the Scriptures, specifically the prophecies that speak of the coming of the Messiah. We are to turn our focus to a Godly way of life that calls for sacrificing and almsgiving (acts of mercy). Let us think of charity and the giving of our time, talents, and resources to others that may be in need. There is no better way to imitate Christ than to be loving and charitable towards others.

A word to the wise - put Christ back into Christmas. Find the meaning of the feast by understanding the importance of the Son of God taking on human flesh. Remember the real reason for the season is that Jesus, the Son of God, the Messiah, came into the world and dwelt among men, taking on Himself the sins of the world so that we might have life in Him.

"God is with us! Understand O nations and submit yourselves, for God is with us!" (Isaiah 8:9)

Taken from the website www.antiochian.org

© 2005 Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America

News from St. Michaels

Tribute to George

George Harry Fearns reposed 10 September 2005

George had been with us from the outset of our pilgrimage into the Holy Orthodox Church. He was one of those first few who said, “Father, will you become our priest?”. Always aware, from the time of his heart by-pass, that he was living on borrowed time, he counted each day as a bonus and thanked God for all His mercies. George's faith was simple and real.He loved God and this translated itself into a simple life and love and concern for others.

In his service to God in the Altar he was always inconspicuous, as it should be, but always at hand to do what was needed. His service to God spanned many years in the Anglican church and he finished the “race” well in our Church. For the other servers, he was part of a single body which moved as one, but with several parts, to accomplish the work of the Altar.

We were able to do our earthly best for him at the last, which was our privilege and joy. I for one will miss his trembling happiness at the Great Feasts, especially at Pascha. Christ is risen! Memory eternal!

Anne’s American travels

Anne Chadwick, Martin's daughter, who has sung with our choir on many occasions, is now pursuing her studies in Pittsburgh, USA. Having travelled 4,000 miles to America, she was amazed to find that she is sharing a room with a young lady from Coventry. It sounds as though she is thoroughly enjoying life and has fallen in love with USA.

Soon she is to be in charge of cooking an English Sunday lunch with other students. Anne will be doing the Yorkshire puddings!

With some of the other students, Anne will be helping the Red Cross over the Christmas period to give aid to the victims of the hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Keep Anne in your prayers as she works far from home. She has been welcomed into a Lutheran congregation nearby. Her Arabic studies will no doubt be useful when she comes home and can sing some of the Liturgy for us!