Words From The Warden

On December 14 we celebrated the third Sunday of Advent, also known as Rose Sunday. This special day marks a transition from expectation to joy within the Advent season. The morning sermon focused on the theme of joy, with Pastor Julia reminding the congregation of the profound and joyful friendship between Bishop Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama—two remarkable men known for their joyful spirits. While the morning was filled with joy and celebration, the afternoon brought a solemn service offered by St. Luke’s for those who have experienced loss during this typically festive season. These moments highlighted the coexistence of joy and sorrow, loss and gifts.

On December 23, 2011, Kim and I waited eagerly at John Glenn International Airport for the return of men and women from the 121st Air Refueling Wing, stationed at Rickenbacker Airbase. These service members were coming home after a six-month tour at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, where they had faced significant dangers. Our gratitude was immense as we waited. At 9:32 PM, Airman First Class Henry Matthew Zaborniak—Matt to us—emerged from security into the waiting area, immediately surrounded by hugs and kisses from those who had anxiously awaited his arrival. The reunion was filled with joy; one young Airman even met his child for the first time, making for an especially memorable Christmas. The overwhelming joy and emotion made it a truly wonderful Christmas present.

December 18, 2001, marked a difficult moment as my mother, Oletha, took her final breath. Kim and I were grateful to be by her side during her last hours, but the loss was particularly hard for my father, who had been married to her for 66 and a half years. Experiencing such profound sorrow in the midst of the Christmas season, a time usually associated with joy and celebration, felt surreal. Although my mother had begun to slip away from us years earlier due to dementia, her passing was still deeply painful—perhaps even more so because of the season. The following week, we celebrated Christmas without her, but honored her memory by playing one of her favorite party games, sharing stories, and gifting each grandchild a quilt she had lovingly made.

On December 25, 1863, poet William Wadsworth Longfellow wrote “Christmas Bells,” known today as the carol “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” The song begins with words of hope and beauty, but then turns to despair. Longfellow had endured great loss—his beloved wife died in a tragic fire, and his grief was overwhelming. In March 1863, his son Charles joined the Union Army without his father's blessing. Later, in November 1863, Longfellow received news that Charles had been severely wounded in battle and was not expected to survive. Then, on Christmas Day 1863, Longfellow learned that Charles, though badly hurt, would live. The Christmas bells rang and this turning point transformed Longfellow’s despair into hope for “peace on earth, good will to men.”

On December 14, 2025, our community experienced a tapestry of emotions: joy, followed by sorrow, and ultimately, hope.

Peace,
Henry Zaborniak, Senior Warden