December 2, 2015

AUGUSTA---In a morning that featured visits to each classroom (Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 8) at St. Michael Catholic School in Augusta, Bishop Robert P. Deeley adapted his messages about the beauty of Advent and the true meaning of Christmas to suit the smiling children he met along the way (11 pictures below).

When Bishop Deeley asked first graders what holiday was approaching, raised hands quickly filled the classroom.

“Christmas!” excitedly said one student.

“What are we celebrating on Christmas?” replied the bishop.

“Jesus’ birthday!” exclaimed another first grader.

“That’s right,” said Bishop Deeley. “Advent means ‘coming.’ Remember what Jesus came to tell us. He came to tell us that God loves us and that we need to love one another and take care of one another. Being kind to each other and to others in the world is a way to show that love.”

Pre-kindergarteners and kindergarteners were enthralled as the bishop carefully turned the pages and displayed the pictures from a children’s book entitled The Christmas Story.

“Mary traveled with Joseph on a donkey,” read the bishop before looking up and telling the children, “they didn’t have an SUV, you see.”

While spending time with the fourth graders, the bishop spoke about the meaning of the Advent wreath and its four candles.

“The four candles represent the four weeks of Advent,” said the bishop. “Each week represents one thousand years and adds up to the 4,000 years from Adam and Eve to the birth of Jesus.”

Later in the morning, Bishop Deeley visited the classrooms of the fifth through eighth graders, who all admitted excitement about the Christmas presents that they will give and receive in just a few weeks.

The bishop explained to the older students that presents at Christmas hold a symbolism far more powerful than whatever the gift might be and should never feel like a chore.

“We give gifts at Christmas to remind ourselves that Jesus is the real gift and that God loves and cares for us. One way in which we show that love and respect is by giving presents to each other,” said Bishop Deeley. “It should never feel like a burden like we see on television and on the news sometimes. It doesn’t matter how big or small the gift is because they are signs of love for the people you care about. That’s the true meaning of Christmas: love.”