On Sunday, December 21, 2025, the Sunday before the Nativity of our Lord, His Eminence Mor Dionysius John Kawak, assisted by Rev. Fr. Gabriel Alkass, celebrated the Holy Liturgy at the Parish of the Virgin Mary in Paramus, New Jersey. In his sermon, Archbishop Kawak began with an interactive moment, asking the Sunday School children questions about Christmas, drawing the congregation into the joy and meaning of the feast.
Reflecting on “The Genealogy of Jesus – God’s Faithfulness Through Generations,” His Eminence emphasized that the “long list of names” in Matthew 1 is not merely history, but a proclamation of God’s salvation at work through real people and real lives. The Gospel opens: “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham” (Matthew 1:1), declaring Christ as the fulfillment of God’s promises Abraham’s blessing for all nations and David’s eternal King. The genealogy also reveals divine mercy: God’s grace moves forward even through human weakness, showing that repentance and redemption are stronger than the past. Most strikingly, Matthew includes Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba, witnessing that Christ came for the outsider and the wounded, entering a true human family to heal humanity from within.
His Eminence also noted Matthew’s structured generations as a sign of God’s providence God is never late, and He always keeps His promises. Turning to Luke 3, he highlighted that Jesus is traced back to Adam, revealing Him as the New Adam who restores what was broken through sin (cf. Romans 5). Finally, the faithful were invited to receive this personally: through baptism and faith, we are made members of Christ’s household “heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:29). As we approach the Nativity, the Archdiocese calls every home to open its doors to the Lord, welcoming Him into our lives and families with joy: “Christ is born! Glorify Him!”
