Portland St. Patrick Catholic School

122 West Street, Portland, Michigan 48875 Phone (517) 647-7551

Reflections

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 Week at St. Pat's

The school office is now open daily from 8:00 am- 3:30pm


August 30

Diocesan Back-to School Kick-Off

August 31

First Day of School

September 1

6:00 pm Var/JV VB (A)

6:00 pm JV FB (A)

September 2

5:00 pm Var FB (H)

at Father Flohe Field

September 3-6

No School-Labor Day

September 7

5:00 pm Var/JV VB (H)

September 9

4:30 pm CC (A)

6:00 pm All VB (H)

6:30 pm JV FB (H)

September 10

9:00 am Assembly

7:00 pm Var FB (A)

September 11

8:00 am Var VB (A)

9:00 am JV VB (A)

September 13

5:30 pm 7/8 GB (H)

6:00 pm Rockbots

September 15

5:30 pm 7/8 GB (H)

6:00 pm PTO

September 16

5:00 pm JV FB (H)

6:00 pm Var/JV VB (A)

September 17

School Pictures

7:00 pm Var FB (A)

September 18

9:00 am 9th VB (A)

9:00 am JV VB (A)

September 25

Homecoming


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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