Inspire

 At the end of our Closing Chapel this morning, we celebrated the end of the school year with our Seniors and their buddies singing a rousing rendition of the song ‘Joy’. During this Christmas season, joy is a theme that is really resonating with me and it is one that echoes throughout the Christmas story. We see Mary’s joy at the safe birth of her healthy baby, Jesus, in those most unique and difficult of circumstances. We see the host of angels rejoicing and praising God as they shared the good news with the shepherds in the fields. The shepherds then shared this joy as they went to visit the baby Jesus for themselves and share in Mary and Joseph’s joy. The wise men joyfully followed the star and shared their gifts with Jesus.  

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV) “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 

Joy is contagious. Anyone who has been in a room with a newborn baby knows the shared joy of that experience. We see it in the shepherds who are so overwhelmed with joy that they make their way to that little stable in Bethlehem. We see it every day in our school, from little moments during play in class or the Big Park, to fun on stage during a performance, to the love and joy of a class party at the end of a very busy year.  

St Paul has been full of joy these past two weeks during our end of year celebrations and preparations and we pray that you have felt that in your own homes and your own lives. We also pray that you experience an abundance of joy this holiday season, that you feel God’s presence and His blessings, that you can share your joy with others in your life and that you find joy in the joy of other people around you. 

Thank you from all of us at St Paul for making our year a joyous one. We wish you a blessed holiday break and we look forward to welcoming most of you back for a joyous 2026 school year. For those families, children and staff who are moving on to new pastures, we wish you every joy in your new adventures.  

Merry Christmas! 

Submitted by Graham Buxton