HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2005-12-22, Page 15Children talk about
waiting for Christmas
during ehurch service
FROM LONDESBORO
Students
perform
It’s almost the last day of classes
at Hullett Central School before the
Christmas holiday break. Everyone,
janitor, Al, the teachers and the
children are excitedly sharing with
each other their plans for spending
their free days. All are feeling
burned out and ready for a holiday
in the south, skating, sleeping in,
tobogganing, shopping, decorating,
etc. Just to emphasize this need to
holiday, the school drama class
presented A Winter Tale.
With only 30 minutes to bus time,
Mrs. Tebbutt announced that
because of a blizzard, everyone was
staying at the school for an
indefinite period of time. Suddenly
the excitement turned to moaning
and disappointment.
Eventually, groups found
activities to occupy some time
while they worried about what they
would eat, how Santa would find
them, all they felt they were
missing. One enterprising group
presented a Mexican Christmas for
others to enjoy. Some talked of
watching shows on the computer
and doing their Christmas shopping
on-line.
Just as they were accepting the
fact that Christmas anywhere is fine
if one’s friends are all there. Santa
made a visit to assure them they
were not forgotten. The pupils
realized that Christmas is about
being with people one cares about
and celebrating peace on earth.
The children sang Christmas With
My Friends to convey those
feelings.
Of course, the buses do arrive
after some time to take everyone
home to do the Christmas activities
they had anticipated. They left
having learned that Christmas is
about what you have and not about
what you get.
This mini-musical, titled I Need a
Little Christmas Vacation, was
presented by the pupils of Grades 1
- 5 at Hullett Central School on
Wednesday evening, Dec. 14. The
stage was set up to represent a
typical classroom. The songs
presented were set to familiar
Christmas tunes. It was a
presentation with a message for
everyone, the holidays are in your
heart and mind.
At the assembly on Dec. 5,
acknowledgements were given to
two pupils as representing examples
of perseverance. One young lady
exhibited stick-to-it-ness or
perseverance as she completed her
math homework and studying with
great commitment. Having missed
some time because of illness, a boy
showed perseverance upon his
return as he completed his missed
lessons in chunks of time.
The virtue being studied in
December is respect.
On the third Sunday of Advent,
Dec. 18, the Sunday of love, the
fourth Advent candle was lit by Paul
and Missy Gibbings.
Jesus didn’t live long enough to
become an elder. However as the
readings that morning pointed out,
elders have power in the world and
possess a faith that over the years has
been tried and tested and found to be
true. Therefore Christians are
encouraged to celebrate the gifts
elders bring to the world.
During their time at the front, Rev.
Pat Cook asked the boys and girls
about waiting for Christmas. To
emphasize her point that Christmas
is all about the building of
anticipation as the days go by, she
showed the children a gift she had
brought along. As each guessed what
the gift might be, they unwrapped it
one sheet of coloured paper at a time.
Just as they got excited-about the
gift inside, Christians are awaiting
with anticipation the coming of the
Christ child.
This excitement was also evident
in the anthem by the senior choir,
Calypso Allelu.
The responsive reading, Psalm 89:
1-4, 19-26, proclaims the endless
mercies of God. Kim Hunking read
the gospel scripture passage, Luke 1:
26-38, which recounts the visit to
Mary by the angel Gabriel to tell her
of God’s purpose for her.
As she began her message to the
adults, titled, New Hope, Rev. Cook
noted that the long weeks of
anticipation and waiting are almost
over. Sometimes God calls us to
difficult decisions and places just as
He did with Mary. Mary had only a
moment of pause before she
accepted God’s purpose for her faith
taught her to love God forever.
Mary’s child was destined for
.greatness and to be the hope for the
future. In today’s world of difficult
choices, a child may be destined to
find answers for the world’s
problems, such as the ragged ozone
layer. If people practise stewardship
of this earth, the young will be able
to face the future with hope.
Rev. Cook ended her message with
the phrase, “Let us respond’’ to
God’s invitations.
The Christmas Eve service begins
at 7 p.m. The youth of
Londesborough United will be
conducting the service and the
community is invited to worship
with regular congregants. The
Christmas Eve offering will be
directed to the M&S fund.
The Londesborough congregation
is invited to worship with Knox
United in Auburn on Christmas Day
at 9:30 a.m. A joint New Year’s Day
service will be held at
Londesborough at 11 a.m.
The senior choir will practice at
6:30 p.m. on Dec. 24.
Merry Christmas, all.
Cheerio Club enjoys
Christmas dinner
A Christmas-style dinner was
enjoyed by eight Cheerio Club
members and four guests at the Betty
Cardno Centre in Clinton at noon on
Wednesday, Dec. 14. They were
entertained musically by a husband
and wife duo from the Salvation
Army Citadel in Goderich.
Betty Fisher welcomed everyone
to the group’s last meeting for 2005
and Dorothy Johnston opened the
business part of the afternoon with a
serenity prayer. Roll call was
answered with humourous readings.
Mrs. Fisher won the gift of the
month, which was donated by
Dorothy Johnston.
Cards have been sent to Hazel
Reid and Margaret Good, both of
whom are now residing at
Queensway in Hensail and are
member's of the club.
Cards were played following the
business. The ladies will gather again
on Jan. 18.
THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2005. PAGE 15.
Two more.,.
Staying in shape is hard work, even for Santa’s helpers as
students of Blyth Public School found out while working out
on stage as part of the Christmas concert at Memorial Hall
Dec. 14. (Heather Crawford photo)
REJOICE • REJOICE • REJOICE • REJOICE ■ REJOICE • REJOICE ■ REJOICE
For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given
Isaiah 9:6
Merry Christmas
Jack & Heather
Van Dorp
tn
O
Otn
REJOICE • REJQICE • REJOICE • REJOICE • REJOICE • KEJOIQE • REJOICE
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