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Reclaiming the Season of Advent…>



The season of Advent is the final season of the liturgical year of the Armenian Church. It escorts us to the Feast of Nativity and the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Advent is one of the most exciting seasons in the Armenian Church. Not only and simply because it is that time of the year when earth changes its appearance and mood from the beautiful foliage of Fall to the brisk and snow-covered days of Winter. More importantly, Advent is a period of preparation for the celebration of God’s love for us, supremely manifested in the birth of our Lord and Savior from the Virgin Mary. As such, Advent is a period of reflection on our privileged status as the beloved sons and daughters of God. Being the season before Christmas, Advent is also a period of anticipation. Christians around the world start counting the days for the arrival of the Feast of Feasts! Theologically speaking, the voyage of Advent mirrors the journey of every Christian that anticipates the day of our return home, to the Kingdom of God and our encounter with the Lord.
However, in our culture today, this beautiful and holy season of Advent has been completely ignored. At best it has been marginalized as a season of consumerism and shopping and relegated to a season of hunting for gift ideas, parking spots and less crowded highways and streets. Mega-businesses have succeeded in hijacking this holy season from the church in the West and turning it into an aggravating and frustrating commercial season. Most of us go through the season like the rest of the non-Christian world, mainly shopping for gifts, yet ignoring the greatest gift of all: God’s love for us, the reason for the season.
So, this year let’s make every effort to reclaim this holy season! May I suggest a few ideas? Make a commitment to yourself and your family members not to do any shopping on Sundays. After all, Sunday is the day of the Lord. (We might as well try to reclaim that one from the world of consumerism back to the church.) Instead, start the day by joining the church at worship and spend the afternoon or evening with your immediate family or extended church family. Start reading, or re-read, one of the Gospels. (May I suggest the Gospel of Matthew or Luke.) You can always join our Bible Study groups, including the newly-resumed evening group. Buy a book that reflects on the mystery of the birth of Jesus or on God’s love for us. (You can Google many websites which sell Christian books.) Also, make a donation to a Christian or benevolent cause or charity, in lieu of gifts to family members, and send a note to the family members explaining to them what and why you did. Finally, do not overload your schedule with social/business/shopping events. Set some time aside to enjoy the journey of Advent as an individual and as a family.
Have a blessed Advent.
In Christ’s service,
Fr. Vahan Hovhanessian
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The Parish Council of the Armenian Church of the Holy Martyrs
cordially invites you to a
FAREWELL BANQUET
honoring our pastor
The Very Rev. Fr. Vahan Hovhanessian, Ph.D.
as he departs from our parish after nine years of ministry
to assume his new position as the
Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Great Britain
Sunday, January 24, 2010
North Hills Country Club
Manhasset, New York
4:00PM Cocktails
5:00PM Dinner & Program
$75 per person
RSVP By January 16, 2010
Lynn Jamie: (516) 676-7395
Church Office (718) 225-0235
Those wishing to make a donation in Fr. Vahan's honor
will be acknowledged in the Banquet Booklet
Please make all checks payable to
the Armenian Church of the Holy Martyrs
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Please Check Back Periodically For Updated Information
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Ringing 2010 @ Holy Martyrs>
New Year's Eve Dinner-Dance
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Kalustyan Hall at 8:00PM
Full Course Dinner
Music and Entertainment by
Mark Khrimian and Ensemble
Donations: Adult $100.00
Children under 12: $40.00
Cash Bar, CHambapgne, and Party Favors
Santa Claus, movies and crafts for children
Deadline December 29, 2009
RSVP Church Office (718) 225-0235
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