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Congratulations to our 2013 winners!
The Council of Catholic School Cooperative Clubs sponsors the annual Keep Christ in Christmas poster, essay and poetry contest. The Office of Catholic Schools selected winners in three divisions: grades 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12. In addition, the Office of Religious Education judged entries from children who attend parish schools of religion. The contest is promoted by the Christ in Christmas Committee, which coordinates the placement of “Keep Christ in Christmas” billboards throughout the archdiocese of New Orleans. This year, a record 56 billboards were put up! The photo above is of the creche at Immaculate Conception Church on Baronne Street.
POSTER WINNERS
BETH QU, a junior at Archbishop Chapelle High School, depicted the Christ Child in a manger, with an angel above declaring, “Hosanna in the highest.”
SYNDEY BAYER, an eighth grader at St. Mary Magdalen School in Metairie, used a simple design to depict the true meaning of Christmas. Her portrait has the angel Gabriel proclaiming with an instrument the savior’s birth.
Fifth grader EMALI HODGES of St. Clement of Rome School in Metairie won first place for students in grades 3-5. She has the ability to “quick draw” paintings within a few minutes.
MATTHEW DANOS of Visitation of Our Lady Church in Marrero won first place in the CCD division for his painting of a Christmas tree with ornaments bearing sayings such as, “Pray for Peace” and “Help the Poor.”
ESSAY WINNERS
MADDIE KELLER
5th Grade, St. Dominic
When most people think of Christmas they think of Santa, cookies and presents. What they really should be focusing on is Jesus. When you put a star on top of your Christmas tree, it should remind you of the Wise Men. They followed that star a very long way to see the King being born.
Another tradition that might run in your family is the manger. When you look at the manger, what do you think of? You may think of Jesus lying in the hay or maybe all of the animals surrounding Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Some families wait to put Jesus in the manger until Christmas Eve.
Other families may do it differently. Another tradition may be the lighting of the Advent candles. These traditions help us remember what Christmas is really all about, the birth of Jesus.
During Christmas what you also need to think about is the homeless or poor. Sometimes you may see a sign that says, “Donate to the poor.” Instead of passing that sign up, go home and look through old clothes that you have outgrown or old toys that you do not play with anymore.
Thinking about others could make their Christmas very special. Not everyone gets toys for Christmas. This is what Jesus would do.
So, during this time, think about Jesus because it is all about him. So, celebrate the birth of Jesus on that very special day. Remember these things during Christmastime and remind your family, too.
So, keep Christ in your Christmas!
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BY CLAIRE GIRARDOT
6th Grade, Sacred Heart of Jesus
sually when people think of Christmas, they think of snow, Santa and presents. They can’t wait for snowball fights, building snowmen, decorating the tree and having parties.
But a lot of people forget the true meaning of Christmas. On Christmas day, a miracle occurred! Jesus was born! Someone who would show us the way to live and would suffer though he did nothing wrong, someone who was willing to do anything for God and for us. On Christmas day, Jesus entered the world knowing he would suffer and die, just to give us all a chance to live in happiness.
I remember one time I had family over at my house for Christmas. I suggested that I read to my little cousin and niece. I pulled the children’s Bible off the shelf and started reading. They had so many questions to ask me. After we stopped reading, I was happy and knew I had done something good.
Keeping Christ in Christmas is important to me because it reminds me of how much I am loved and how much I love Jesus. It also helps me grow in my Catholic faith and helps me learn to share my knowledge of Christ with others so they, too, will keep Christ in Christmas.
I like to keep Christ in Christmas by wishing Jesus a Happy Birthday. I like giving him a gift, like making a promise to be on my best behavior. Also, I share the idea of keeping Christ in Christmas with others.
I love the idea of keeping Christ in Christmas and hope that everyone in the world will come together in celebrating Jesus on this very special day and every day of the year.
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BY KATHERINE KELLER
12th Grade
Abp. Chapelle High School
arly on Christmas morning, I wake to see all of the presents waiting to be ripped open. Before I proceed to tear them apart, I stop and wonder, what is the true meaning of Christmas? Why do we celebrate? Why is it called Christmas and not Xmas? How could an infant so small and innocent have an entire holiday based on him?
Throughout the holiday season we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. With all of the other things going on during the holidays, sometimes he can be swept under the rug. While buying presents, decorating the house and preparing Christmas dinner, Jesus can easily be forgotten. The word Christmas has a much deeper meaning than we realize. It is not just a phrase we say when passing someone on the sidewalk. In fact, the word Christmas comes from “Cristes Maesse,” which is an English phrase that means “Mass of Christ.”
Today Christmas has become a completely commercialized holiday. From Black Friday until the New Year, stores are filled with aggressive moms and bratty children. I bet no one ever stops to think about what Christmas is about before they swipe their credit card. It is ironic that Christmas is such an expensive and lavish holiday, considering the fact that Jesus was born in a barn because there was no room at any of the inns. Jesus’ birth shows us that power is not measured by gifts or money but by God’s plan for our lives: No matter how humble your beginnings are, you can have an extraordinary outcome. For me, that is the true meaning of Christmas.
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POETRY WINNERS
KELLY LIVACCARI
5th Grade, St. Mary Magdalen
BUT I AM ONLY TEN
Keep Christ in Christmas is what I am told
But I am only ten years old!
This is a big responsibility for me
So I must do it very carefully!
All year long, I try my best to do good deeds
But during this season, it is something that my heart needs!
I serve Mass, pray and try to be the best I can
As well as making Christmas cards that I send!
I give to the sick, homeless and even the poor
Sometimes it is much easier, like just holding open a door!
I thank God for all that He has given me
And remember those who are not as blessed as me!
I may only be ten but I am not too small
To keep Christ in Christmas through it all!
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BRAD CORCORAN
6th Grade, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
KEEP CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS
‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house,
the children were praying that he’d come bless their house.
All snug in their beds, their dreams were quite clear.
This night was filled with more than just holiday cheer.
It’s not about the presents with nice, shiny ribbon.
It’s about Jesus Christ, and the life he was given.
We celebrate his birth with gifts each year.
Let’s not forget why this holiday is so dear.
As you deck your halls and trim your tree,
remember his birth with joyful glee.
Keep Christ in your Christmas, your heart and your soul.
Keep Christ in Christmas, the young and the old.
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DALIA EL-DESOKY
11th Grade, Abp. Chapelle High School
CAN YOU HEAR HIS CRY?
Inhale the crisp aroma of flaky firewood
Let it pervade lightly through your lungs
Faint whispers of “Ave Maria” linger and lull your soul
An angel at the top of the prickly pine tree is looking down on you
But something is missing
An orchestra of silence is calling for you
But to where?
Take a moment, close your eyes, and listen with your heart
Can you hear the faint cry of your Savior calling from Bethlehem?
The humble sun rests in the open sky
You can hear the clinking of metal in an Arabian kitchen
But listen a little deeper
It is the sound of a woman in labor
The Ever Virgin Mary has given birth to the “Prince of Peace”
It is the bittersweet cry of Baby Jesus which comforts her soul
A carol only He can sing
A solid black sky encompasses Bethlehem
But the dim light of His birth will soon illuminate the world for eternity
Baby Jesus’ body tenderly rests on her chest
The same body that will endure the pain of humanity
Let the cry of Baby Jesus ring in your ears this Christmas
Clear your mind of the peppermint aroma
Put down the hot chocolate gift from Starbucks
Turn off the Christmas jingles for just a second
Listen with your heart
Let Christ pass through your soul
Like thread through a needle
You are truly woven with His color
This Christmas put Christ back in CHRISTmas
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