Countdown To Christmas

This past Sunday was a celebration of hope in a room filled with song and prayer.

Led by pastor Monsignor Ryan, parishioners of Saint Anastasia in Douglaston celebrated the first Sunday of Advent. At the service, Ryan preached about the virtues of charity, hope and peace, while lighting the first of four Advent candles.

"During the next weeks of advent, we'll begin each liturgy, lighting a candle, as we are called upon to be instruments of peace," Ryan said. "Then as we light each candle, we carry its light into the community as a symbol of hope."

Saint Anastasia parishioner Sarah Caldwell, went on to explain the significance of lighting each Advent candle after mass on Sunday.

"It's a Christian tradition which begins on the first Sunday of Advent, with the lighting of a candle and continues through out the month of December, as additional candles are lit during subsequent Sunday services," Caldwell said.

According to Caldwell, while the origins of the Advent wreath are uncertain, the tradition is believed to date back to northern Europe before the arrival of Christianity.

"The circular wreath symbolizes the eternal cycle of the seasons and the eternity of God, with the lighted candles signifying the persistence of life in the midst of winter, which is an offering of hope to Christians around the world," Caldwell said.

This year Eileen and Paul Sullivan, who were also in attendance at Sunday's service, are hoping for the safe return of our servicemen and women overseas.

"Our hearts are with the troops in Afghanistan and Iraq this holiday season, as it has been for the past nine years," Eileen Sullivan said. "As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ we remember all their sacrifice."  

For the head usher at Saint Anastasia, Leonardo Sabitino, the holiday season always evokes a call to return to faith.

"This year, I'd really like to see more people coming back to the church... The holidays, for me are always about a rejuvenations of faith," Sabitino said.

But for Monsignor Ryan, Advent isn't just about attending mass, it's also a time when Christians are called to serve those in need.

"In this Advent season, new hope reigns beyond death from despair, and we ask God to increase our strength of will for doing good," Ryan said during his liturgy. 

With a focus on doing some good within the community, this year the parishioners of Saint Anastasia also plan to celebrate their faith by collecting blankets for the homeless and sponsoring families in need.

For more information on Saint Anastasia's, visit www.stanastasia.info.