The Meaning of Christmas
Just the week before Christmas I had a visitor. This is how it happened. I just finished the household
chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I
surprise, Santa himself stepped out from behind the Christmas tree. He placed the finger over his
mouth so I would not cry out. “What are you doing,” I started to ask him.
The words choked in my throat, as I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone.
Gone was the eager boisterous soul we all know. He then answered me with a simple statement,
“TEACH THE CHILDREN!” I was puzzled: What did he mean? He anticipated my question, and with one
quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the tree.
As I stood there bewildered, Santa said, “Teach the Children! Teach them the old meaning of Christmas.
The meaning that now-a-day Christmas has forgotten!”
Santa then reached into his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it on the mantle. “Teach the
Children that the pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the
everlasting hope of mankind. All the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man’s thoughts
turning toward heaven.”
He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant STAR. “Teach the Children that the star was the
heavenly sign of promises long ago. God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was the sign of
fulfillment of the promise.”
He then reached into the bag and pulled out a CANDLE. “Teach the Children that the candle symbolizes
that Christ is the light of the world, and when we see this great light we are reminded of He who
displaces the darkness.”
Once again he reached into his bag and then removed a WREATH and placed it on the tree. “Teach the
Children that the wreath symbolizes eternal nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one
continuous round of affection.”
He then pulled out from his bag an ornament of HIMSELF. “Teach the Children that Santa Claus
symbolizes the generosity and good will we feel during the month of December and should feel year
round.”
He reached in again and pulled out a HOLLY LEAF. “Teach the Children the holly plant represents
immortality. It represents the crown of thorns worn by our Savior. The red berries represent blood
shed by Him.”
Next he pulled out a GIFT from his bag and said, “Teach the Children that God so loved the world that He
gave His only begotten Son. Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift. Teach the Children that the wise
men bowed before the holy babe and presented Him with gold, frankincense, and myrrh. We should
give gifts in the same spirit as the wise men.”
Santa then reached into his bag and pulled out a CANDY CANE and hung it on the tree. “Teach the
Children that the candy cane represents the shepherd’s crook. The crook of the shepherd’s staff helps
bring back strayed sheep from the flock. Then candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother’s
keeper.”
He then reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL. “Teach the Children that it was the angels that
heralded in the glorious news of the Savior’s birth. The angels sang, ‘Glory to God in the highest, on
earth, peace and good will.’ ”
Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling sound, and from his bag he pulled out a BELL. “Teach the Children that
as the lost sheep are found by the sound of a bell, it should bring people into the fold. The bell
symbolizes guidance and return. “
Santa looked at the tree and was pleased. He said, “Remember, teach the Children the true meaning of
Christmas, and not to put me in the center, for I am but a humble servant of the One who is, and I bow
down and worship Him, our Lord, our God.”
Taken from Fraternally Yours, December 2012, Carolyn Bazik, Editor
+Dear Parents,
December 12, 2016
Although we are just beginning the third week of Advent, I know that we will all be feeling the pressure
of getting everything ready for Christmas. I found this reflection from a few years
ago. I think we can all use it now. If we understand the symbols and decorations of
the season, we might be able to recall these explanations and turn them into
prayers…just like Santa prays!
Have a great third week of Advent! God bless you!
Sister Catherine Irene, IHM
Choir practice this week will be on Tuesday, December 13, not on Monday. Please
make a note of this change on your calendars. Thank you!
St. Joseph School had a great week with Hour of Code!
We thank all of our teachers for leading their classes during the Hour of Code
week!!! It was a lot of fun! Oh, yes, the children learned something, too! We
thank Mrs. Christine Scott and the volunteers from Microsoft who helped out
during the week, too! I look forward to learning and doing more with Coding!
Looking Ahead:
December 8 – 13
St. Joseph Christmas Book Fair at Barnes and Noble: PLEASE SEE FLYER
December 12
Report Cards will be distributed
December 13
Chorus will meet today after school (not on Monday)
December 12, 13, 14, 19
Dental Screening
December 15
Band Concerts at 1:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. in the Gym
December 16
Grade K Kindergarten pageant in the Gym at 10:00 a.m.
Science Fair forms are due
December 17
Breakfast with Santa: See flyer on the Principal’s Page
December 18
St. Joseph Chorus Concert at 7:00 p.m. in the Church
December 19
Pre-K 4 Christmas Pageants; Christmas around the World for Grade 3
December 20
Pre-K 3 Christmas Sing-Along
December 21
Home and School Faculty Luncheon
December 22
Christmas Pageant in the afternoon
NO BAND OR LESSONS ON 12/22
NO CARES on December 22: Christmas vacation begins at dismissal
Dec. 23 – Jan. 2
Christmas Vacation: No School
It is now time to submit your financial aid application and you
complete the process through SMART AID. I have attached the
information on the Principal’s Page and it will be posted on the
Financial Aid section of the website (under Admissions). Please review all directions carefully and don’t
hesitate if you have any questions. Here are the key points to remember:
Those families who applied in 16-17 will only need to:
1.
Login in (using the username and password from 16-17) www.smartaidforparents.com
2.
Update their information
3.
Submit and pay the $25 application fee
4.
Return to the site and upload their 2016 taxes when completed but no later than 3/31/2017.
Please complete the first three steps of the application process by our December 31, 2016, priority
application deadline (applications will remain open but the sooner the family completes the
application, the sooner we can review your need).
Please note: The income guidelines for 2017-2018 are as follows (No change from 2016-2017)
Families with:
1 dependent: Household income of $91,620
2 dependents: Household income of $106,890
3 dependents: Household income of $122,160
4 dependents: Household income of $137,430
5 dependents: Household income of $152,700*
*Add $15,270 for each additional dependent.
More information can be found at AOP Schools