Issue 28 January 2026

Christmas

Fr Luke's first Christmas Liturgy at St John's

St John's Church was filled with warmth, reverence and joyful celebration on 6 January 2026 as parishioners gathered for Father Luke's first Christmas Liturgy, held at 5:30pm in observance of the Nativity.

Families filled the pews to mark one of the most sacred nights of the Christian calendar.

Some Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on 6 and 7 January because they follow the Julian calendar, which differs from the Gregorian calendar used in most Western countries. The Julian calendar currently runs 13 days behind, placing Christmas in early January for many Eastern and Oriental Orthodox communities around the world. This tradition preserves centuries-old liturgical practices that continue to shape Orthodox worship today.

In his sermon, Father Luke reflected on the gift of the Nativity, offering a message that resonated deeply with the kids of the church, who gathered at the altar to listen to his sermon.

He reminded worshippers that while most people receive gifts on their birthdays, the birth of Christ represents a unique moment in history: a moment where God gives humanity the ultimate gift, Himself. His words encouraged reflection, gratitude and renewed faith for the year ahead.

Children were especially delighted following the sermon when they discovered mini Jesus figurines taped beneath their seats, gifted for them to treasure and keep close throughout the year as a reminder of Christ's presence in their lives.

The church also provided free professional photography to families to commemorate the evening, and shared chocolates with all attendees to help break their Christmas fast. The atmosphere was one of generosity, community and celebration.

As parishioners departed, the message was clear: may God's blessings be with everyone this year, and may we always look to give more than we receive.

Special thanks to the servants who worked tirelessly to create Christmas magic this season.

From the pulpit

Speak the truth in humility

Fr Elijah · Luke 1:57–80

Today we read about the birth of St John the Baptist, and it is so important that we reflect on his character, because Jesus said that among those born of women there is none greater than he. That alone should make us take note.

When somebody receives worldly praise, like a prestigious award or a significant certificate at school or in society, people generally take notice and say to themselves, "What did they do to get there?" "Why are they so honoured?" "Why did they receive this award?" So when the Lord says, "Among those born of women there is none greater than John the Baptist," we should also take notice. What did he do? What was so special about him, and what can we learn? There is so much to learn from John the Baptist.

Truth and humility together

By God's grace, today I would like to focus on one really unique attribute of his, and that is that he spoke the truth in humility. It is extremely difficult to find that balance, and extremely rare, because a lot of the time we might be very humble (silent, not interfering, not offering our opinion) and then the truth disappears by the wayside. At other times we go to the other extreme: we say the truth, we say it how it is, giving no reverence to how others may feel about it. So we speak the truth, but love and humility are lost. St John the Baptist had a remarkable gift, which was finding the balance between those two. How do we know that? He was courageous.

When he was asked by Herod, "Is it lawful to take my brother's wife?" St John the Baptist was bold enough to say, "No. It is not lawful. It is not good. It is not pleasing to God." That was the reality. That was the truth. But there were consequences for sharing that truth. He could have stayed silent. He could have minded his own business. He could have let it go. But he said it as it was. He spoke the truth.

At the same time, we see his remarkable humility. He was the first prophet to appear in many years, so the people of Israel were excited to hear the voice of God again. He started baptising, and he had many followers. Then Jesus came along. His disciples were disturbed. They said, "Look, everyone is following Jesus now instead of you. What should we do? What should we say?" Then St John replied in humility, "He must increase, but I must decrease. I am unworthy to loosen the strap of His sandal." So St John truly embodied truth in humility.

This is something we see often in the Scriptures and in the lives of the saints. We see this with Jesus Himself and the Samaritan woman. He spoke the truth in gentleness and kindness. He said, "Go, call your husband and come here." She said, "I have no husband." Jesus said, "You have had five husbands, and the one you are now with is not your husband." He said it as it was. He spoke the truth to her. But did she feel attacked, judged or criticised? Did she feel belittled? None of those things. In fact, the Lord elevated her, because He said to her, "In this you spoke truly." In other words, He affirmed her honesty.

So what about me? When I speak the truth to people, do they feel belittled, judged, dismissed or criticised, or am I able, by the grace of God, to speak the truth in humility?

A story of Pope Kyrillos

One of my favourite stories that Father Daniel Fanous shares is about Pope Kyrillos. It is the story of a priest who was misbehaving. This priest served in a very busy church. Out of the blue, the Pope called him and said, "I want you to leave your church and come and assist me in the Pope's office." The people of the church were furious. They said, "We love this priest. His service is so successful. Get another priest: we want ours." But the Pope would not budge. He withstood all the criticism and pressure.

Finally, one of the Pope's assistants said to him, "The people have a point. Why don't you just send the priest back? It's not worth the hassle or the headache." The Pope replied, "This priest, unbeknown to the congregation, has not been behaving well. My intention in bringing him here is to teach him, encourage him, support him and disciple him, and then, when he is ready, he can return to his congregation."

Again, we see this remarkable balance. The Pope did not say to the people, "Mind your own business: you don't know what you're talking about. I can see the big picture," even though that was the truth. Instead, he acted with truth in humility, silence and love, even bearing the reproach of the congregation and taking the place of the priest who needed refinement.

Principles for finding the balance

I will leave you with some biblical principles to consider as we try to find this balance.

The first is from Ecclesiastes: "There is a time to speak and a time to be silent." Just because you know the truth does not mean you must speak it every single time.

In the book of Proverbs we read, "Like one who takes a stray dog by the ears is one who meddles in quarrels not his own." You may know the truth about something that has nothing to do with you: enjoy the blessing of not having to intervene. Imagine if it were the reverse. Imagine if God said, "If you find anything unjust, even if it has nothing to do with you, you must speak, act and intervene." We would all say it is too hard. So enjoy the blessing of peace. If it is beyond the scope of your responsibility (if it is not your family, not your job, not your service) do not be like a madman who takes a stray dog by the ears.

Another important biblical principle is that the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. We may know the truth and we may speak the truth, but sometimes we disqualify ourselves through our anger. Do not deceive yourself into thinking you are doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord while acting in wrath. Even with our own children, the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Saint James says, "Be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath." Before you are quick to speak the truth, did you listen? Did you listen to the other person's perspective? Did you hear the whole story, or are you blinded by your sense of knowledge and self-importance?

So let us pray for one another, that we may learn from the model of St John the Baptist to speak the truth in its season, with wisdom and humility.

Parish life

St John's Christmas celebrations

On Sunday 11 January 2026, following the joyful celebrations of the Feast of St John the Beloved, St John's Coptic Orthodox Church continued the spirit of joy and fellowship with a vibrant Christmas celebration for its children and families. The day reflected the warmth and simplicity of the Nativity, bringing the church community together in an atmosphere of love, laughter and gratitude.

The celebration offered a wide range of activities that delighted children of all ages. Colourful face painting and creative balloon twisting filled the hall with excitement, while ornament decoration stations allowed children to create keepsakes to remember the season of Christ's birth. Ice cream treats added to the festive mood, and the appearance of live butterflies captivated many, reminding attendees of God's beautiful creation and the joy of new life.

Older children enjoyed arcade games and interactive activities, while families gathered to watch smiles grow wider with every surprise. A special highlight of the day was a visit from Santa, which brought great excitement and laughter as children eagerly lined up for photos and festive cheer.

The Christmas celebration served as a meaningful conclusion to a spiritually rich feast day, reinforcing the importance of joy, community and shared celebration within the life of the Church. Through these simple yet joyful activities, St John's Church provided a space where children could experience the love of Christ in a memorable and uplifting way, strengthening their connection to the Church and to one another.

Parish life

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