Make this a Christmas season and New Years a time to remember!

Well, it's that time of year again - from all of us here in Western Massachusetts - to wish you, and yours, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !

Some of us do not really celebrate Christmas as much as Theophany, or as the western world calls it, Epiphany . Spiritual exercises look forward to the birth of our Savior, Jesus the Christ, which many people use the date of December 25th as a convenient date in which to culminate the memorial anticipation of this great event. However, in January the Eastern Church celebrates when Christ was baptized by John and God showed that this was His son (Theophany). The Western church celebrates when the "Wise Men" traveled a long distance and gave gifts to the "Christ Child" and it is this recognition by the great minds of the world of the Sovereignty of Jesus (Epiphany). (click here for why the girls on the header)

But the Christmas and New Years seasons do not need to be celebrated like the rest of the world!

Why not use this time to think of ways in which you can assist those less fortunate than yourselves. My lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, is collecting clothing for the Springfield Rescue Mission. My Church, has people collecting serviceable winter coats and mittens, my college's "All Clubs Council" collected caned goods and other non-perishables, and our Campus Civitan group is getting paper goods and such for the homeless. You never know, the things you donate may end up helping your next door neighbor, a relative or maybe a member of your family. Today we may be just fine, but a disaster could strike tonight and tomorrow we may be in great need of assistance.

For those of us who follow the teachings of Jesus the Christ, especially now, more so than other times of the year, we need to show that love which God has placed within us and play down the "gimme gimme" attitude which the world seems to adopt at this time of the year.

So, once you're bored with leaders speeches, fed up with Turkey and the in-laws arguing, why not check out how you might be able to assist organizations that help people in your are.

In Springfield, MA there are the Friends of the Homeless, Open Pantry Community Services, the Salvation Army, Springfield Rescue Mission and many others. You be so happy you gave to another at this time of abundance.

But most of all, have a great Christmas and we look forward to seeing you all back, bright and "bushy tailed" in the new year! Do email me if you have any difficulty in finding a place in which you can share your gifts, resources, time or talents!

---Blessings, Nektarios Ippotis (lka Charlie Knight)

The design of this page came from another place that sent and unsolicited email to me. However, I liked the design, so I modified it and used it here.. ;)