Children give loving presents to Jesus

Grade 2 Mary Hanley students give from the heart

- WCR photo by Bill Glen Laura Humen's Grade 2 class in Mary Hanley Catholic School lives the motto A Place of Joy when they describe what birthday gift they would give Baby Jesus.

By BILL GLEN
WCR Staff Writer
Edmonton

When eight-year-old Samantha Gonzales was asked what gift she would like to give baby Jesus this Christmas, she took a moment to answer.

Was she thinking of giving him a video game or a gift certificate?

With her hands folded together on her lap, the diminutive Grade 3 student at Mary Hanley Catholic School replied in a quiet voice, "I would give him my love."

A place of joy

The Millwoods school (K-6) of some 400 students, is brightly decorated with Advent wreaths in every room. There is a Nativity scene at the front entrance. The children smile as they walk through the hallways.

Michael Binicki would like to give Jesus a candle that he made.

"My favourite part of Christmas is celebrating with my family," said Michael, also in Grade 3.

The school's motto is A Place of Joy and the festive atmosphere this Christmas is not by accident, says school principal Danny Kinal.

Happy New Year

"I like to see us focus on the Church calendar and truly have an understanding of it," said Kinal. "We talked with the students about how the first Sunday of Advent is the start of the new Church year. What we are basically saying is Happy New Year."

The school celebrated Advent with songs performed by its 120-voice choir.

"We are preparing for the coming of Christmas. We are waiting in a positive way," Kinal said.

The students take home joy bags and seasonal books to help plan for the wait.

"We are treating our soul and our mind like it's our home," he said. "We are making it ready to make it a home for Christ."

If Kinal sees the students focus on materialism, he encourages them to find balance.

"You don't ever want to replace the idea of a gift or telling Santa what they want for Christmas. But we need to instill in them that there are two sides to it," he said.

Samantha Gonzales

Seven-year-old Emily Thomson enjoys Christmas because it means a trip out of town to see her grandma and grandpa.

Painting gift

"I would give Jesus one of my paintings because I made it myself," she said.

Christopher Crossman likes Christmas because it is baby Jesus' birthday. He has a special gift for him.

"I would like to give him a cross I made with popsicle sticks," said Christopher, 7.

Morning announcements at the school include prayers for a Grade 4 student who underwent a bone marrow transplant last summer in Calgary to battle her leukemia. She is still in the hospital.

"Her parents thank us for our prayers and the power of our prayers," Kinal said. "They believe it has really helped her regain strength."

Grade 4 students Jordan Bell and Mackie Colvin have a special Christmas wish for her. "I have been praying for her. It is important," Jordan said.

"I hope she gets better soon," Mackie added.

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