Beloved in the Lord,

“What shall we give Him?” This is the question pondered by the Three Wise Men who followed the bright star in the east to worship the newborn Jesus. They gave the best they could, with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. These precious items were symbolic of their love and respect for Jesus, though the real gift was given to them through His birth and the promise of salvation.

Many of us ponder the same question during the Christmas season as we search for that “perfect” gift for our family and friends. We save money throughout the year so that we can spend a little extra to buy something special. But, do we give that same consideration to the gifts we are offering our Church?

We all know the true meaning of Christmas – to celebrate the birth of Christ – but do we take that to heart? Do we think back to the Three Wise Men on their journey and the sacrifices they made to offer their gifts to Jesus? Are we too distracted by all the secular signs of Christmas to remember to give of our first fruits to the Lord?

In the Metropolis of San Francisco, we are blessed with many gifts. We have dedicated volunteers who provide resources for our parishes so they may expand and improve programs including: Youth Ministry, Religious Education, Church Music, Greek Education and Culture, and Family Wellness. Our Metropolis Philoptochos is a shining example of God’s love through their charitable work, their care for those in need, and the unconditional love they show to children with cancer. But we cannot continue to expand the important work of our Metropolis without your gift this Christmas season.

So, as you search for those perfect gifts for all your loved ones, remember the perfect gift we have already received – Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. What better way to show our gratitude to the Lord for His many blessings than with an offering of thanksgiving as we celebrate His birth.

May the bright star which led the Wise Men to Jesus be a guiding light in your lives throughout the year! With Love in Our Newborn King,

Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco