It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags! Yes, that is the miracle of Christmas. Though commercialism and materialism dominate the media scene of what to expect Christmas to be about, a very providential Doctor of rhymes put before us an unexpected prophet, the Grinch. The miracle of Christmas not being anything material at all converts the heart of the Grinch. It is not what is made that gives us joy, but what is born, Emmanuel, God-with-us, in Christ Jesus. Another prophetic voice offers one more helpful aid in our meditative preparation; this is an excerpt from an Advent reflection by St. John Paul II:

“Preparing ourselves to receive Him requires first and foremost an attitude of intense and trusting prayer. Making room for Him in our hearts demands serious commitment to convert to His love… [a soul in communion with God through prayer is described as this] The prophet Isaiah describes it with vivid images: ‘the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is deemed a forest. Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness abide in the fruitful field. And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever’ (Is 32:15-17). [This is the gift we are meant to receive in communion with God through prayer; spending time with God through prayer transforms the soul from a confusing dark wilderness of our inner life into a garden filled with the righteous perfume of the Holy Spirit]…As the Liturgy of Advent suggests, let us ask the Lord for the gift of ‘preparing ourselves with joy for the mystery of His Birth’ so that the Birth of the Lord might find us ‘vigilant in prayer and rejoicing in praise’ (Second Preface in Advent). Only then will Christmas be a feast of joy and a meeting with the Lord who gives us peace. Isn’t this the best thing that we can make for the coming Christmas celebrations…May His peace renew every angle of our daily lives. May He fill our hearts so that they will be open to the transforming action of His grace; may He pervade families so that, gathered before the crib or around the Christmas tree, they may reinforce their faithful communion; may His peace reign in cities, in nations… and spread to every corner of the globe.”

Do you have a perfect family? 

For many of us, just asking the question likely is enough to trigger a cascading descent of fears, shame, worry, doubt, and even worse . We begin to think of the arguments, even the petty ones, and the many ways that we never seem to reach the ideals that we set for ourselves. There are the missed expectations or times we missed a pickup for a family member. The times the laundry wasn't done or the kitchen didn't get clean enough. 

Which is why I am curious as to the collective internal framing that we have for Jesus, Mary and Joseph when we name them and celebrate them as "The Holy Family." It occurs to me that we often put them on a pedestal. We think of them as the "perfect" family. They're the "holy ones" not us. 

I believe this posturing to be a bit dangerous in two ways. First, because it is very evident that Mary and Joseph didn't have it easy. Even if their trials are enshrined in stained glass illuminated with the glow of sunlight on a Sunday morning, their lives were not trouble-free. Secondly, because it prevents us from seeing the grace within our own families and how we are called to cooperate with that grace.

Let me expand on the first point. Please don't thank that I'm trying intentionally discredit the Holy Family by identifying their faults, but an important story reveals that the didn't have it all together. Recall the story of Jesus being left in the temple of Jerusalem. Together, the three of them left town (Nazareth) and spent a few days in Jerusalem for Passover. Great! After they are all done, they head home and after a full day of travelling back to Nazareth, Mary and Joseph finally realize that they left Jesus behind in Jerusalem.

Perhaps you just finished watching the holiday classic "Home Alone" and wondered how the McCallisters could forget their own child, but I'm going to guess that most of you noticed if your child wasn't with you in the car or on the plane during holiday travel. Yes, I'm sure you've been late to a pick up from ballet or scouts or something, but if you not forgotten your own child for more than 24 hours, you're doing better than the Holy Family did! 

I could point out other warts worn by the Holy Family, but by doing so, am I suggesting that the "Holy Family" wasn't perfect? Well... yes, and no. Which is actually my second point about the dangers of over idolizing Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. It has to do with the word "perfect" and what "perfect" actually means. We've come to define "perfect" as a supreme excellence worthy of immeasurable achievement. 

However, in it's origins, the word "perfect" simply means "complete." It means that it has what it needs. Can we say that the Holy Family was perfect? Well... yes in that sense. They had everything they needed. To clarify, things didn't go well for them, very much of the time. They lived as refugees. Gave birth in a barn without aid of sanitation and comfort. They were judged poorly by friends and neighbors, and lost their teenage son in the middle of festival. Saint Joseph seemed to have died early. That's not ideal!  But on the whole, they had each other, they had love and the abiding grace of God. In this, they were perfect.

And that's a good framing to view your family as well. You have ups and downs. There are joys and disappointments. You might realize a dream or two and also have a million other dreams smashed to pieces, but your capacity to be "perfect" is not about living ups to the Joneses. Its whether or not you are "complete." 

And that completeness is determined not only by accepting what you have and being grateful for what you have. It is determined by welcoming God into the life of your family for it is God that makes all things complete. God fulfills all the needs that remain. God provides the perfection that made the Holy Family holy, and makes your family holy too. 

Saint Andrew Early Learners- Preschool Preparatory Class

Give your little one a gentle, confident start to school with our Saint Andrew Early Learners program! This warm and welcoming class, led by the beloved Mrs. Loomos, meets on Tuesdays and Fridays from 8:00–9:30am, January 20–March 13. Children (age 2 by September 1) explore fun weekly themes: winter, Groundhog Day, colors, shapes, and more, while parents/caregivers stay to connect and learn alongside them. More information and registration can be found here: SA Early Learners

Baby Bulldogs 

Our Baby Bulldogs program is gearing up for a fun and energetic spring session! Beginning January 22 through April 30, families with infants and toddlers are invited to join us every Thursday from 9:00–9:45am for a morning of connection and play. Each class includes free play followed by joyful music and movement that little ones love. (Please note: no class on March 19.) We meet in the Saint Andrew School Gymnasium, located at the northeast corner of Addison and Paulina. Registration is now open.  Come be part of the fun with our littlest Bulldogs!

Discover the Difference with Saint Andrew School! 

Are you seeking a nurturing and enriching educational environment for your child? Look no further than Saint Andrew School, where Catholic Education comes to life through faith, excellence, and community. Our dedicated faculty inspires students to achieve their full potential academically, spiritually, and socially. At Saint Andrew, we blend rigorous academics with character-building values, fostering a sense of purpose and belonging. Experience our vibrant campus, where every student is known, loved, and challenged to grow. Choose Saint Andrew School today and invest in a brighter future for your child. Enroll now and join our family! We have an upcoming tour on October 14th at 9am. Sign up for a tour here: schedule a tour New student applications for the 25-26 can be found here: New Student Application