Inspire

As we enter these final days of our school year together, our days are filled with signs that the season is shifting. The jacaranda trees in our Blair Athol neighbourhood have begun to bloom, and their beautiful purple blossom always signals to me that Christmas is coming and with it, the anticipation of summer and all the vibrance, hope and promise that Christmas brings.

This week, our JVC Christmas dress-up day and donations brought joy, colour and generosity into our school. With our St Paul Lutheran Church Carols on Sunday and other celebrations ahead, Christmas is well and truly in the air. Excitement is building, not only for the events still to come, but for the summer break, time with family and friends and the possibilities of a new school year.

In this anticipation, it can be easy to look only to what’s next. Yet this is also a precious moment to pause and celebrate everything we have experienced and achieved together this year. We have seen growth in our children's learning, friendships strengthened, challenges overcome and moments of kindness and courage lived out in community. These are gifts worth noticing, giving thanks for and celebrating.

As we prepare our hearts for Christmas, we are reminded that the heart of this season is not just busyness or excitement, but God’s deep love for us. Jesus’ birth is God’s promise that He is with us in every season, through change, growth, waiting and new beginnings.

“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” – 2 Corinthians 9:15

As the jacarandas throughout Adelaide bloom faithfully each year, we are reminded that God continues to fill our lives with good gifts, moments of joy, growth, connection and the wonderful gift of Jesus at Christmas.

As we welcome the final days of our school year, my hope is that we may hold together both gratitude for how far we have come and the joyful anticipation for what lies ahead knowing that God is with us throughout all of it.

Blessings to you and your family this Christmas season.

Submitted by Jess Robinson