One Community in God's Love

Welcome to Week 9.  

The year is almost over and there seems to be many things to do before Christmas arrives, yet not enough time to complete the ‘to do’ list.

The lead up to Christmas can become quite frantic and we can lose sight of the true meaning of this special season. Advent is a time to prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of Christ into our homes. If we allow ourselves to be caught up with material things, then we often cannot appreciate what we already have ~ family.

I thought I would share this special reading, a parallel story to 1 Corinthians 13. 

1 Corinthians 13 – A Christmas Version

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I am just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing

gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I am just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the spouse. Love is kind, though harried and tired. Love does not envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love does not yell at the kids to get out of the way. Love does not give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who cannot.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of LOVE will endure.

May you all enjoy a truly blessed Christmas with your loved ones and safe travels.

Thank you for your continued support in my Religious Education and classroom teacher roles at St Thomas More’s School. I look forward to working with you all next year. I wish all departing families an exciting 2020 in their new location.

Donna Victory
Religious Education Coordinator