The Gift of the Nativity

Reflections by Randy Hodge

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The Gift of the Nativity

Posted on December 17, 2009 at 4:11 PM

Last week, St. Patrick School was the recipient of a wonderful gift. A donor called and asked if we would like to have the original nativity set used by St. Patrick Church. Of course, I was thrilled by the offer and very happy to accept the donation. The nativity set is currently in my office awaiting restoration by our art department.

While I work, I’ve taken some time out to study each figure of the Nativity. I noticed the paint is fading and there are chips taken out of some of the figures but all heads are bowed in reverence, wonder, and awe before the newborn Savior. I can’t help but wonder to myself what each member of the Nativity would say to me if they could speak?

Would they quote scripture and tell me “For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Would they tell me “Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and that no one comes to the Father except through him” (John 14:6)?

Maybe instead of quoting scripture they would instead tell the story of the Nativity as told in Matthew or Luke. They could explain the circumstances which led Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. They could further explain how our Savior, Jesus Christ came to be born in a stable in Bethlehem. They might even go on and explain the gifts of the Magi and how the Holy Family had to flee to Egypt.

It is also possible they might tell me about the places they have been or the people they have seen. They might even tell me about the lives that have been impacted when people who witnessed their presence understood the true meaning of Christmas.

Or perhaps instead of talking about the past, they would instead talk about our modern times. Maybe they would voice frustration that in many communities, they would be shuttered away because of lawsuits about the separation of Church and state. Maybe they would talk about the people who no longer celebrate the birth of Christ and instead have “holiday” or “winter” celebrations. They might even explain their frustration with people who no longer regard “Jesus as the reason for the season.”

As we finish the third week of Advent and move into the final week before the birth of our Savior, the lessons and sacrifices of the Holy Family and the Nativity serve as a strong reminder of exactly what it is that we are planning and preparing for on Christmas day. Let the joy of Christ be with you this Christmas season. God bless you and yours.

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This Month at St. Pat's

Feb 6

4:15 PM Bus Dep to MS GB Game at Laingsburg

5:30 PM MS GB at Laingsburg

Feb 7

10:45 AM PFCU Student Run School Branch

2:30 PM Bus Dep to Var Bowl at Lansing Christian

3:30 PM Var Bowling at Lansing Christian

4:00 PM Freshman GB at Lakewood

6:00 PM JV GB vs. CC-C at PMS

7:30 PM Var GB vs. CC-C at PMS

Feb 8

4:30 PM Bus Dep to JV and Var BB Games at CC-C

5:30 PM MS GB at CC-C

6:00 PM Sanchin Ryu Class

6:00 PM JV BB at CC-C HS

7:30 PM Var BB at CC-C HS

Feb 9

2:30 PM Art Club

4:30 PM Bus Dep to JV and Var GB Games at Laingsburg HS

6:00 PM JV GB at Laingsburg HS

7:30 PM Var GB at Laingsburg HS

Feb 10

6:00 PM JV BB vs. Laingsburg at PMS

7:30 PM Var BB vs. Laingsburg at PMS

Feb 11

Feb 12

Feb 13

3:30 PM Var Bowling vs. P-W at Meadow Bowl Lanes

5:30 PM MS GB vs Fowler at SPS

Feb 14

10:45 AM PFCU Student Run School Branch

Feb 15

5:30 PM MS GB vs P-W at SPS

6:00 PM Sanchin Ryu Class

Feb 16

2:30 PM Art Club

5:30 PM Freshman GB at Eaton Rapids

6:00 PM JV GB vs. Fowler at PMS

7:30 PM Var GB vs. Fowler at PMS

Feb 17

No busing - parent transportation required

5:30 PM Bus Dep to JV and Var BB Games at Fowler

6:00 PM JV BB at Fowler HS

7:30 PM Var BB at Fowler HS

Feb 18

8:30 AM Paper Drive / Pop Can Drive sponsored by the Class of 2014

Feb 19

Feb 20

No School - Mid-Winter Break

2:15 PM Bus Dep to Var Bowl at Central Montcalm

3:30 PM Var Bowling at Central Montcalm

5:30 PM MS GB vs Saranac at SPS

Feb 21

4:45 PM Bus Dep to JV and Var GB Games at Potterville HS

6:00 PM JV GB at Potterville HS

7:30 PM Var GB at Potterville HS

Feb 22

4:45 PM Bus Dep to JV and Var BB Games at Potterville

5:30 PM MS GB at Fulton

6:00 PM JV BB at Potterville HS

7:30 PM Var BB at Potterville HS

Feb 23

8:15 AM MS Retreat Day

2:30 PM Art Club

4:30 PM Freshman GB vs. P-W at SPS

6:00 PM JV GB vs. P-W at SPS

7:30 PM JV BB vs. P-W at SPS

Feb 24

10:50 AM Open Campus Lunch for Seniors

Var Bowling Regionals

6:00 PM Var GB vs. P-W at PMS

7:30 PM Var BB vs. P-W at PMS

Feb 25

Var Bowling Regionals

Feb 26

6:30 PM Athletic Assn. meeting

Feb 27

Feb 28

10:45 AM PFCU Student Run School Branch

6:00 PM JV BB vs. Fulton at PMS

6:30 PM Pre-School / DK / K Open House

7:30 PM Var BB vs. Fulton at PMS

Feb 29

6:00 PM Sanchin Ryu Class

Complete List of Parish Events
If your group has an event coming up, please contact LuAnn Kinsman or Mike Johnson to have it added to the master calendar.

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