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Commentary

By Liz Quirin

Living the Spirit of Christmas

Why is it children sometimes seem to understand and express the most profound ideas? The Messenger sponsored a writing contest and invited young people from Kindergarten through 12th grade to finish the following sentence: “I live the spirit of Christmas when …” with 25 to 100 words. We received more than 700 entries from across the diocese. They came in the mail, on e-mail; some were faxed and hand-carried to our office. We were amazed at the number of entries but more so by the responses the young people wrote.
Their responses will be featured in the Dec. 18 issue of The Messenger.

The children “get it.” They all get it, not just a few of them. In one way or another, they all said that the spirit of Christmas lives through the people and what they do to continue to spread the Gospel message of Jesus. Their parents and families and teachers have instilled in them the value of giving to others, not just during the Christmas season but all year long.

They spoke of the thrill they receive when they take a tag from a Giving Tree at their parish to purchase a gift for someone whose needs are greater than their own. They spoke of giving their own toys and clothing to organizations to be distributed to those in need.

They also spoke of taking care of folks in nursing homes, visiting them, singing Christmas carols with them and bringing them small gifts. This they said, brought joy to the residents, and to them as well.

Some described family dinners with special foods. Most explained that giving gifts was more important than receiving them although they admitted to enjoying receiving them too. Some, they said, were “awesome.”

Most important to these young people was sharing the love of their families — their brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and especially their grandparents. Actually, grandparents were mentioned often and described as an integral part of the spirit of Christmas, instilling it and passing it on.

And they all understood the real reason for the season, the figure around whom all of these activities swirl: the babe in the manger, the Son of God, born so long ago and still an important part of all of their lives.

What we discovered in reading these hundreds and hundreds of entries: The young people of our diocese not only understand but rejoice and participate in this season of joy and hope. Knowing they understand and live this spirit bodes well for the future, not only of the people of the diocese but the church as well. With those who listen, learn, believe and live their faith we can continue to spread the very good news of the Gospel.

We are now faced with the dauntingly difficult task of choosing contest winners. As far as we are concerned they are all winners, and we are too.