2716 North Dobson Road Chandler, AZ 85224 (480) 899-3330
Rev. Fr. Philip S. Armstrong, Presbyter
2716 N. Dobson Rd.
Chandler, AZ 85224
(480) 899-3330
(Located South of Elliot Rd on Dobson Rd)
Church e-mail : office@st-katherine.org
Email Fr. Phil : skpriest@yahoo.com
Summer Office hours:
Effective June 1st - Sept 28th
Monday Thru Thursday
9:30am - 3:30pm
Closed from 12:00 to 1:00pm for lunch.
Inquirer’s Classes Offered (Contact our Church Office).
Sunday Service Schedule:
8:30 AM Orthos
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church Chandler AZ 85224
For 12-15-19
For 12-15-19
MESSAGE FROM FATHER
CHURCH EVENTS/ NEWS
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Orthodox Christian Network Radio
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Christmas time is here!
As of your reading of this issue of “The Spirit” we will already be beginning the third week
of the Advent Fast. Before you know it, the Feast of our Lord’s Nativity will be here. Christmas is a busy time for
many of us. With the holidays our schedules are quite busy planning for company or travel to be with family. For
those who have children, there is much busyness with holiday parties and programs. The planning and
preparation for a Sunday School Christmas Program can be added to the list of those events that crowd our
schedule this time of year. It is a time of year filled with joy and excitement. For the Church our main effort is to
remind us of the reason for the season. We must not lose sight of the fact that Christmas is about Jesus; it is
about His holy birth. This is no ordinary birth! This is no ordinary baby! The prophesy of His birth is revealed in
Isaiah 9:1-3:
“For unto us a Son is born, unto us a Child is given. And the government shall be upon His shoulders, and His
peace shall have no end for God is with us. And He is called the angel of great counsel, wonderful, counselor,
the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the prince of peace, the Father of the world to come.”
The place of His birth is made known to us by the Prophet Micah: “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are
too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose
coming forth is from of old, from ancient days” (Micah 5:2-4). The nature of His birth is extraordinary; it is
supernatural. In Isaiah 7:14 we hear: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a Son and they shall call His
name Immanuel”. In MT 1:20, we are taught that that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. The event
of His nativity is heralded in the feast day troparion for the Nativity:
“Your Nativity, O Christ our God, has shown to the world the light of wisdom! For by it, those who wor-
shipped the stars were taught by a star to adore You, the Sun of Righteousness, and to know You, the Ori-ent
from on high. O Lord glory to You!” (Tone 4)
The purpose of His incarnation and entering into human history is revealed to us in Matthew 1:21:
“And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
Yes, born unto us on Christmas Day is our Savior. It is through Him that it becomes possible for man to return to
heaven; He makes this possible.
Having heard the testimonies of the prophets and numerous scriptural passages, we must resolve to prepare
our-selves for this unparalleled spiritual event. May we allow Him once again to be born in our hearts. Let us
share the joy of the angels. Like the Magi, let us offer Him the precious gifts of lives devoted to Him. And like the
shepherds, let us adore and worship Him!
I wish you a blessed Nativity and Christmas Season.
Christ is born! Glorify Him!
In our Incarnate Lord,
+Fr. Phil
From St Katherine
Greek Orthodox Church
