Christmas Eve Lenten Supper
St. Luke Parish held it’s annual Lenten Holy Supper on the Eve of the Nativity. This supper is pot luck style with the parishioners bringing different dishes that are non meat and non dairy. Tradition is that there should be twelve different dishes which is symbolic of the tweleve apostles and it should be eaten without pepper or knives. Pepper symbolizes arguments and knives the cutting of friendships. The parishioners gathered by candlelight for a short prayer service performed by Father Paul which began the Holy Supper.
Each person was provided with a plate with wheat, honey, garlic and bread. The symbol of the lit candle: The Star of Bethleham and the Light of Christ. The symbol of the boiled wheat: In memory of our departed loved ones. “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”
It is our tradition that the youngest read the following passage from Matthew 2: 1-12.
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise
men from the East came to Jerusalem saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the
Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” When Herod the
king heard this , he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered
all the chief priest and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the
Christ was to be born. So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written
by the prophet:
‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
Are not the least among the rulers of Judah,
For out of you shall come a Ruler
Who will shepherd My people Israel.'”
Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from
them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search
carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I
may come and worship Him also.” When they heard the King, they departed; and behold, the
star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where
the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.
And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and
fell down and worshipped Him. And when they ahd opened their treasures, they presented
gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Then, being divinely warned in a dream that
they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.
Everyone sings the Troparion for the Feast.
Scene from the Supper.
Parishioners partake of the Lenten meal. Following supper the Nativity Vigil Service was held.
Christmas Presentation and Visit By St. Nicholas
Following Liturgy we were treated to a Christmas Presentation by our church school children.
The younger children provided the choreography.
Our young adults provided the narration.
Following a carol to St. Nicholas, he made an appearance.
Group photo.
In keeping with tradition, St. Nicholas brought golden chocolate coins for the children.
Each child received a coin.
Protinica Michelle was presented a gift by the Church School Staff for organizing the Christmas
Presentation. Thank you to all who worked and performed on this presentation
Garden Center Visit For December
Fr. John read to us one of the legends of St. Nicholas. St. Nicholas met a man in Myra that had three
daughters and he could not afford their dowry to be wed, which is those days meant that the girls would likely be sold. St.
Nicholas, as not to shame him, throw three bags of gold through their window for each one of the girls which saved them from
a life of shame.
All the residents held their candles as we read the Lord’s Prayer.
Janet joyfully recited her Christmas poem.
Fr. John wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.