The faithful of the St. John community gathered together in the true spirit of the Christmas season on December 24, 2016, to experience the long-standing tradition of the Candlelight Service, which features hymns, Christmas carols, and the Children's Nativity pageant.

With warm hearts they entered the Holy Sanctuary joined in prayer, reentering the spiritual lives on the coming celebration of the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ, and event that changed the world 2000 years ago, and that day as well. The Sunday School children entered the sanctuary as shepherds, manger animals, the three Magi, and the Holy Parents, telling the story of that fantastic event that was illuminated by a star in the sky. Those in attendance joined together in singing the meaningful hymns of the Armenian Church, and the beautiful carols that are sung to lift the spirits of the people.

In his spiritual message that evening, Fr. Mesrop said, "each Christmas season we should strive to take on the role of one who was present for Christ's birth. We long to be the shepherds of simple but true faith, but often we are more apt to be the Magi, in search of something special and life changing. Like the Magi, we must search with faith in our hearts, though we don't know what we will find. If we look in places unexpected and are prepared to offer something of ourselves, we too will encounter the Christ-child, the bringer of hope and peace."

St. John once again thanks the devoted families and parish volunteers for their work in coordinating this special event, as well as the choir members and altar servers.