The Gift of Christmas

For Christians, the giving of gifts at Christmas time symbolises the birth of Jesus, the ultimate gift of love from God. To a lesser extent, it mimics the giving of gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh by the Magi who visited the infant Jesus according to the Gospel of Matthew (2: 1-12).

The tradition of gift giving has its origins in non-Christian religious observances from pagan festivals celebrated in Rome and Northern Europe. In the Victorian era, 1837-1901, gift giving at Christmas became more common. Gifts were often very simple items such as home-made cakes, clothes or dolls. Gifts were scattered through the house or baked in pies and puddings, rather than placed under the Christmas tree.

Today, Christmas is a huge commercial enterprise that can mask the real message of Christmas. Christmas is a time of giving – not for the sake of getting or spending – but to show appreciation for others with thoughtful gifts of love. Our giving can also be a way that we show concern to those less fortunate than ourselves.

This year, in our Year of Service, we have been challenged to use our gifts and talents to serve others with compassion. At our Christmas Liturgy yesterday, students were given the opportunity to reflect on their acts of service over the year. The following is a small snapshot of what the students identified:

Belle Prairie House has…

Helped other students with their schoolwork and assignments
Participated in Z Club and the Welcoming Committee
Prepared morning tea for the Samaritans Community
Participated in the Vinnies Sleepout
Volunteered for Sony Camp

Greccio House has…

Volunteered at Open Day, Samaritans and Meals on Wheels
Participated in the Mini-Sleepout
Coached sporting teams
Prepared hampers for the residents of Delamore and the Samaritans Community
Participated in the Borneo Service Trip

Perugia House has…

Participated in Sprout Squad
Volunteered for Rosies
Created resources for La Foresta and Molly’s House
Participated in the Vinnies Leadership Program
Performed The Grinch Who Stole Christmas for the students at Saint Anthony’s

Rieti House has…

Packed Birthing Kits to support women in developing countries have a safer birth
Contributed to bake sales to support charities
Mentored younger students
Kept our school clean by placing our litter in the bins and picking up rubbish
Represented the College at this year’s ANZAC Day services

Spoleto House has…

Volunteered for Molly’s House
Participated in the Ponytail Project
Donated to the Vinnies Christmas Hamper Drive
Raised awareness about the effects of domestic violence
Supported their House charity, Northside Connect

Villa Spada House has…

Performed random acts of kindness
Volunteered for the Saint Anthony’s Reading Program
Visited the residents at Delamore Retirement Community
Performed in the choir at major College events
Provided transport for people when they needed i

This Christmas, let us give thanks for these gifts of charity, service and advocacy for justice, locally and globally. May we continue to seek to transform the world for good.

The Greccio Story

A central part of the Christian faith and our Franciscan spirituality is the belief in the Incarnation. This belief - that God became human in the person of Jesus - was important to Saint Francis’ understanding of God, the human person, and the world in which he lived. Throughout his life, he sought to make people’s understanding of the Incarnation come alive. On Christmas Day in 1223, in the town of Greccio, Saint Francis did something entirely new: He re-enacted the story of Jesus’s birth. To our knowledge, this kind of devotion had never been done before.

In his account of the Greccio story in his biography of Saint Francis of Assisi, Thomas of Celano writes:

“The day of gladness drew nigh, the time of exultation arrived. The brethren, were summoned from many places; the men and women of that town with exulting hearts prepared tapers and torches, as they were able to illuminate that night which with its radiant Star has illuminated all the days and years. At length the Saint of God came, and finding all things prepared, beheld them and rejoiced. The manger had been made ready, the hay ass were led in. There Simplicity was honoured, Poverty exalted, Humility commended; and of Greccio there was made as it were a new Bethlehem. The night was lit up as the day, and was delightful to men and beasts. The people came, and at the new Mystery rejoiced with new rejoicing. The woodland rang with voices, the rocks made answer to the jubilant throng. The brethren sang, yielding due praises to the Lord, and all that night resounded with jubilation. The Saint of God stood before the manger, full of sighs, overcome with tenderness and filled with wondrous joy” (First Life, 30).

In his 2019 Apostolic Letter Admirabile signum, Pope Francis reflects on this event in Greccio and considers the meaning and importance of the nativity scene. Channelling the spirit of Saint Francis, Pope Francis reminds us:

“The nativity scene is like a living Gospel rising up from the pages of sacred Scripture. As we contemplate the Christmas story, we are invited to set out on a spiritual journey, drawn by the humility of the God who became human in order to encounter every man and woman. We come to realise that so great is God’s love for us that God became one of us, so that we in turn might become one with God.”

I extend to all students and families the peace and joy of the Christmas Season. May the celebration of the birth of the Christ child renew your faith in our loving God and hope for our world. Travel safely.

Volunteers Needed

I would like to extend my gratitude to all students and families who have contributed so generously to our Vinnies Christmas hampers this year. At our Christmas liturgy yesterday we were able to present 55 hampers to representatives from the Saint Vincent de Paul Kedron Conference.

As with previous years, we do require families to assist with the delivery of these hampers. This will take place on Sunday 15 December, 9.00 – 11.00am from the San Damiano Centre. It is essential that students are assisted by a parent/carer/other family member with a vehicle (drivers). Each team will deliver hampers to at least one family in Kedron or Stafford.

If your family is able to assist, I invite drivers (parents/carers) to complete this form: https://forms.office.com/r/tnUfAeLC55.

Please note: To avoid disappointment and to ensure every team has the chance to deliver at least one hamper, we will limit the number of delivery teams to twenty-five. The form will be monitored each day and will be closed when we have reached our required number of volunteers.

A special gift to all Mt A Families

From Verve Portraits