The holiday season in the United States begins with Thanksgiving. We gather with our families and friends to share a wonderful meal and to give thanks for the bounty that fills our lives. We feel blessed to be together, and we are thankful for our fortunes.  Thanksgiving is a time to recount our many blessings, and begins the joyous Advent and Christmas season.

            As you all know, the month of December is of particular significance to all of us.  As Armenians, although January 6^th marks the birth of Jesus Christ, in the West, December 25^th has become the more popular day for celebrating Christmas. This day is unique in that it offers something deeply meaningful to everyone-faith, charity and a feeling of kinship. With the arrival of December and the promise of the New Year, it is incumbent upon all of us to renew our vows and re-dedicate ourselves to the pledges so eloquently articulated in our oath.

            We should never forget that the spirit of Christmas is giving. God gave us His love by giving us His son. We must not only give gifts to our loved ones, but we must embrace them with our true love.

“When we embrace the Christmas spirit, we do not exist as a person but instead we lose ourselves in the act of selfless giving. It is easier to embrace the Christmas spirit at Christmas time, but our mission in life should be to embrace the Christmas spirit and give and give and give every day, whether it is the Christmas season or not.”

            While the kings were paying homage, in the Heavens, the star which had guided them along suddenly shattered into fragments, revealing the long-awaited angelic message. “Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth, Peace to Men on whom His favor rests.”

            On the occasion of this Christmas season and the New Year, on behalf of Fr. Vahan and the Parish Council, I extend my very best wishes to you and to your loved ones. May our Heavenly Father bestow His richest blessing upon our Church family and inspire a new enthusiasm for the Armenian faith.

“SHNORHAVOR  NOR  DARI  YEV  SOORP  DZUNOONT”

            As we conclude another year of successful programs and events, especially with the 50^th Anniversary celebration of the consecration of our church, Fr. Vahan and the Parish Council would like to thank all parishioners and friends for their support and commitment during the past year. We look forward to 2009 and the planning and execution of many more exciting and challenging activities, especially our expansion project as we prepare to build our new community center for our local Armenians of Queens and Long Island. We also look forward to our Annual Budget Hearing scheduled for Sunday, January 25^th, 2009 and our Annual Parish Assembly, scheduled for Sunday February 8^th, 2009. Please mark your calendar and make a personal resolution to be an active and positive participant in the life of our community.

                                                                           Michael Zohrabian, P.E.

                                                                          Parish Council Chairman