On Wednesday, December 24th, 2025, His Eminence Mor Dionysius John Kawak presided over the Holy Liturgy celebrated by Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Chamoun, in the presence of Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Shabo, Very Rev. Fr. Saliba Er, and Rev. Fr. Joseph Shammas. In his sermon, Fr. Chamoun reflected on “the Shepherds: the first invited” to the mystery of the Nativity, reminding the faithful that the Church enters Bethlehem not through palaces or power, but through the humble fields where the shepherds kept watch by night (Luke 2:8–12). He explained that in the society of the time, shepherds were often viewed as unclean and overlooked, yet heaven “bypassed” the wealthy and the powerful and announced the Good News first to those on the margins revealing the God who “humbles Himself” and “lifts the needy out of the ash heap” (Psalm 113:5–7).
Drawing on the wisdom of the Syriac Fathers, Fr. Chamoun shared that Mor Jacob of Serugh teaches that heaven chose the humble watchers of sheep because the Lamb of God had come, and Mor Ephrem highlights that the angels sought hearts that would wonder, not minds that would argue. He emphasized that the shepherds came with no gifts and no status, yet with the offering God desires most: a sincere heart echoing the call to prepare an inner “manger” for Christ rather than celebrating only outwardly (Luke 2:15–16). Fr. Chamoun then posed a pastoral challenge to the congregation: in today’s world, many prepare for Christmas festivities but forget to prepare for Christ, urging everyone to turn away from distraction and materialism, and to imitate the shepherds who ran toward the Light once they heard the angelic proclamation. He concluded with a message of hope: if the “forgotten” shepherds were the first invited, then there is hope for every soul to run anew to the Savior “Christ is Born, Glorify Him.”
