December 2009
Dearly
Beloved in the Lord,
I greet you with the joy and anticipation of our Lord's
Nativity!
Once again we find ourselves surrounded by signs
of the Christmas season - bright lights, decorated trees, presents, and holiday parties. It
is easy to become both overwhelmed and absorbed by all these secular signs of
Christmas, and thus lose sight of the real reason of this celebration - the birth of our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ.
Instead of being distracted by the worldly influences
of Christmas, we should be looking for the star in the east to guide us to the humble
manger where Christ was born. Like the Wise Men who followed this star and brought
gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to honor the newborn King, we, too, are called to
bring our own gifts to the Lord. However, you do not need to go shopping, but rather, you
need only to look into your own heart to find the perfect gift for Jesus. All He asks is that
we open our hearts to Him, that we follow His commandments, and that we lead a life
worthy of salvation in Him.
With this good news of the gift of salvation
brought to us by the birth of Jesus, we must use His life and the teachings of the Gospel
to strengthen our lives each and every day. The ministries and parishes in the Metropolis
of San Francisco are here to provide for your needs. Religious education, family wellness,
outreach, spiritual renewal, church music, cultural and youth activities are offered
directly to our parishes by the Metropolis to enhance their local ministry. The Metropolis
also provides online resources directly to our faithful to bridge the vast geographic region
and bring our faithful closer together through the use of technology. We cannot do
this without your continued support. Your generous and sacrificial gift this Christmas
season will be a sign of your love for the Lord, and will ensure the continuation and
expansion of the work of the Church!
May your hearts and voices
always bring unceasing praise to the Lord as the angels announced upon the birth of
Christ, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill to men!' Luke
2:14
With Love in Our Newborn King,
+Metropolitan Gerasimos of
San Francisco
4th Friday after Pascha
