Weekes' Weekly News

Dear Sacred Heart Kew Families,

We’ve all ‘waited’ for things. Waiting is just a part of life. They say, ‘good things come to those who wait’. Whoever said that wasn’t a child, and clearly wasn’t referring to Christmas!  

Christmas as a child seemed to arrive so slowly each year. My parents and most other adults over the time probably feel that Christmas arrives far too quickly, almost popping up on us, taking us by surprise, year on year. It might have just been me, but when I was somewhat smaller, I ‘waited’ for two particular days each year to roll around. My birthday and Christmas day. Christmas was always the winner out of these two countdown days, a birthday was always good fun, but Christmas was a whole 'nother level for me. Besides, the season of Advent didn’t come before my birthday each year.  

For me, this 25 day countdown each year involved many different and exciting activities, one of which was ripping apart the flimsy cardboard door on the annual Advent calendar. I can still smell that ‘unique’ dusty chocolate smell, remembering how I used to roughly dig out each new item every morning before breakfast. This smell and the smell of pine cone needles and also the smell of our plastic Christmas tree, are just a few of my early smell memories that take me back to Christmas in the 1980’s and 1990’s. This was just one way I waited. Another way that I waited each year was at school, when we would light the Advent candles as a whole class and school. One candle per week, as Advent progressed. Whilst a lot in our world has changed, with many rituals disappearing over the years, I am pleased to report that in 2023, this ritual and special activity is still alive and well, and still brings me much happiness and joy each time we act it out as a school community. 

Counting down the days until Christmas, meant that we were preparing for something very special. This time was filled with such special moments as a family. In the lead up to Christmas, many things had to be achieved. The Christmas tree had to be assembled and the lights had to be untangled (we were the plastic tree people in our street). This was always such a fun event, pulling out the decorations, remembering the stories behind each one and how we acquired them, listening to Bing Crosby sing christmas carols, over and over again each night. Christmas cards had to be written and sent, the house had to be cleaned and tidied and the garden and lawns had to be done. That last minute shopping and cooking took place, with visits to the shops more frequent than other times of the year, often stocking up on things, just in case someone might ‘pop in’. Gifts would start to appear under the christmas tree, decorations would be hidden or moved around our tree (depending on how old or tall you were). It was a very busy time, but as a small child it went like a flash. 

When Christmas day finally arrived, it was like Jesus had actually been born into your family and that you were welcoming him into your nice clean home. At such a young age the major drawcard of the day for me was receiving gifts, but in all honesty, looking back now, it was catching up with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins that had the most impact on me. Christmas day was all about visiting and seeing family members that we wouldn’t otherwise see during the year. It was the game of cricket that we would all play together under the shade of the apple tree and wondering when Santa would turn up with his sack full of gifts that I recall most. Two different sides of the family, two vastly different ways of celebrating Christmas. The one constant being, family getting together to share a meal, either lunch or dinner, the bon bon jokes, the laughs and the tears. It also involved travelling long distances, trying to fit both sides of the family in, making sure that time was spent with everyone, who you treasured the most. With thoughts and memories stirred of those special people, who too, should have been at the table, but for many different reasons, were now absent, their presence hanging over the conversations, joining in spirit instead. 

During the lead up to the BIG day, we hear stories of the first Christmas and how this simple event had life changing implications for so many people. When we think back to Mary and Joseph bringing baby Jesus into the world in a simple stable, we don't automatically think of how we give gifts, sing Christmas Carols and decorate the homes we live in. But on that special night, all three of these elements were present, just in different ways to how we see them today. The Three Kings brought with them, gold, frankincense and myrrh, to give to the new-born child. Shepherds tending their flocks were stunned to hear Angels singing praises to this new born baby and as far as the decorations go, the animals in the stable filled these spots, with some additional bits of hay strewn across the stable floor for good measure. Far simpler times on that very first Christmas compared with how we celebrate Christmas these days.

As Advent begins this Sunday and your ‘waiting’ period starts, may you be filled with the memories of younger years and what Christmas and Advent meant to you and your family. In the coming weeks as the season of Advent and the craziness of this time of the year unfolds, we remember that Christmas is a time to celebrate God’s greatest gift. We get to do this each and every year when we relive the joy of receiving God’s only Son into our lives. It is this joy and love that we then mirror within our own families, as we celebrate the magic of Christmas once more.  

Wishing you and your family a love weekend. 

Kind Regards,

Ed Weekes 

School Principal