A Time of Celebration
Psalm 98
O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things. His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory. The Lord has made known his victory; he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises. Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody. With trumpets and the sound of the horn make joyful noise before the King, the Lord.
Let the sea roar and all that fills it; the world and those who live in it. Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing together for joy at the presence of the Lord, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.
Psalm 98 proclaims a celebration, which not only people of faith but all of God’s creation is invited to participate. This celebration is in recognition that the Kingdom of God will reign unto the ages, and His Divine Love has been extended to all of His creation.
During this season as we celebrate the Nativity of the Lord, the Feast Day of our Patron, Saint Basil the Great, and the coming of the New Year, let us be aware of the source from which these feasts and celebrations come – the Love of God! We will truly experience the celebration of these beautiful and transforming feasts when we recognize that their greatness spawns from a never-ending love that has been, currently is, and forever, will be extended to us. As cognizant recipients of God’s perfect love, we ascend to the status of Children of God, an honor beyond the constraints of our created minds!
Truly we have reason to rejoice – the Lord, our Father in Heaven, loves us! This year, as knowing recipients of His sanctifying love, Christmas will mean more than gifts and dinners, the feast of our Patron Saint Basil the Great will mean more than simply slice of Vasilopita, and the coming of the New Year will mean more than a party with friends and a new leaf – as knowing recipients of God’s Love, through each of these celebrations we will grow closer to our brothers and sisters in Christ, sharing amongst ourselves the love of God which has been given to us, and helping establish His Kingdom on earth!
May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ bless each of you this season, as we strive to honor the love His Father extends to us, by extending it to each other! Merry Christmas, and Xronia Polla!
+Fr. Luke Palumbis