What a whirlwind of activity!  As I write this not one, but two concert rehearsals are in process. Church and auditorium have angels and shepherds and choirs singing. Trees are being decorated, paper chains and glittery stars are beginning to fill the hallways and the nativity sets are being unwrapped and carefully placed where they can be seen.

It is another St. Joseph’s Advent.

Throughout the school students and teachers once more are exploring and learning with wonderment and awe the ageless story of the Savior’s birth.  St. Nicholas has visited (he comes here on December 6th) the miracle of Our Lady of Guadalupe has been celebrated (December 12th) and now we are anxiously waiting the coming of the Christ Child at Christmas.   Just when our students are ready to burst we join Mary and Joseph on their journey to Bethlehem in Las Posadas and treat filled classroom celebrations.

That’s it, right?  Not exactly.

Unlike the secular world our celebration is of Christ’s birth and goes long past January 1st.  We celebrate the coming of the Three Wise Men on January 6th (or as close to it as we can get) with the blessing of the classrooms.  Our students love it as the procession wends its way through the hallways led by the Star of Bethlehem, everyone singing and the priest blessing each doorway and chalking them with the year and the initials of those sages (20+C+M+B+18). It is a joy filled experience.  Finally, on February 2nd, long after the decorations are down we bless the seeds that we will plant as we celebrate the Presentation in the Temple.  A full season. A season of joy. One that our children will always remember.

Learning is always a given at St. Joseph’s but sometimes our learning is the eternal kind.

A blessed Advent and Christmas!