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The celebration has just begun! The Christmas season lasts twelve days, from the vigil of Christmas Eve until Jan. 5, the day before the Epiphany, also known as Twelfth Night. Instead of packing away the Christmas decorations, take some time to savor the wonder of the Incarnation and celebrate!  Here are some ideas for celebrating all of Christmastide with your family:
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Thank you to everyone who helped make this year's Christmas pageant a joyful and memorable event! A special thanks to our friends from Tree of Life for participating and hosting another fantastic Hanukkah party. Peace and Love to all this Christmas Season! Last Sunday, Miss Elsa's class learned about the Annunciation. The students discussed several key points, noting that nothing is impossible for God and exploring the profound idea that God desired so much to be with us that he became human. The lesson highlighted Mary's response to God's invitation as a model for us in responding to the Holy Spirit in our lives. The direct aim was to lift up Jesus as both human and divine, while indirect aims included preparing for Christmas, continuing the celebration of Advent, nurturing prayer language, and fostering a sense of wonder and awe. The students also enjoyed a craft activity in which they created upcycled Christmas cards for people in the hospital during the holidays, tying the lesson to a practical expression of love and compassion. “Upcycled" is the process of giving new life to old or unused items rather than simply recycling them. Upcycled Christmas cards not only contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing waste but also offer a creative and artistic way to celebrate the holiday season.  The cards were delivered earlier this week and were very much appreciated. Bright smiles and big thanks were given along with reciprocal wishes for a blessed holiday season! The older Faith Formation group discussed the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth. We marveled at the joy shared between these two mothers then extended the lesson to Mary's powerful Magnificat, extracting meaningful phrases and contemplating the depth of her words. We also discussed how Elizabeth’s baby, John, would grow up to help prepare the way for Jesus, baptizing Him in River Jordan. This lesson not only enriched our preparation for the Christmas celebration and the upcoming pageant, but also nurtured a deep sense of wonder, awe, and a personal relationship with God.  This past Sunday, Miss Elsa's class learned about prophecies. During the lesson, the changing liturgical colors, the significance of the Advent wreath, and the anticipation of Jesus' birth were discussed. The lesson highlighted the lives of prophets who, residing in the Land of Israel before Jesus, foretold the coming of someone special—communicating God's message through deep listening. The reading of scripture, accompanied by the lighting of the first Advent candle, prompted reflective questions about waiting, darkness, and the nature of the light described by Isaiah. The children actively engaged in contemplating these questions, pondering whether Isaiah referred to sunlight or a different kind of light, ultimately identifying Jesus as the awaited Light. Students also crafted tissue paper stained glass "windows," fostering a connection between the architecture of the church, the theme of light, and God's everlasting goodness.  The older students also discussed The Promise of a Savior in Isaiah 9:6-7, and Micah 5:2 then lit the first candle of the advent wreath with an accompanying prayer for “Hope”. We spent the remainder of the class discussing the Christmas pageant and the significance of each person’s part in the story of Christ’s birth. God of hope, we light this candle as we prepare for the coming of your Son. Awaken our hearts to you this Advent season, so that when Christ arrives, we are ready to receive him with all our hearts, all our minds, and all our strength. Amen  |
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