A couple weeks ago the students were learning about the Apostle’s Creed in their religious education class. We know the beginning: I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. They seemed to accept their belief in God, but how could he have created everything? Who created God? And did God have magical powers to create all things? Of course, they were interested about their faith and desired ‘good’ answers.

We began by exploring the Word of God, the Bible, on the creation of heaven and earth, Genesis 1:1-31. Their excitement grew and hands went up with questions after each day of creation. After each day, we also noticed that “God saw how good it was,” that God was excited and happy about what he had created. After each day of creation: light from darkness; sky and earth; land and sea; vegetation- fruit trees and seeds; sun and moon; living creatures in the sea and the sky; all kinds of living creatures on the earth, “God saw how good it was.” But then God created mankind, “in our image, after our likeness.” When God created both man and woman, we noticed “God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good.”

God’s creation was not by magical powers, but through his love! And he loves his last day’s creation of man and woman best of all, as “he found it very good.” (Yet, I was corrected by one student for how could God love Al Capone?)

In the Gospel we hear that Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector, which meant he collected taxes personally, and from those tax collectors he supervised. He would have been loathed by many, who easily would have forgotten that he was created by God. Yet, Jesus did not despise Zacchaeus, but seeks him out; calling him by his name; wanting to stay with him. And Zacchaeus, responding to the love of Jesus was created anew. Once a sinner, once lost, now he changes his life and with great joy returns to the presence and love of Jesus.

God has not completed his creation, because he is always creating anew through the love that he has for each of us. When we open our hearts to his love, we too change our ways and with great joy recognize his guiding presence in our lives. Zacchaeus was open to his love. (Perhaps, Al Capone was not.) Yet, God loves his best creation, us, equally, overwhelmingly and without end. So, let us fully open our hearts to The Creator and his creative love, that we will know how God sees us - as very good.

The annual Book and Bake sale is back and will take place on Sunday, November 13 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. During this fun event, the Saint Andrew gym will be transformed into a lively bookstore and pop-up bakery. Hundreds of gently used books will be available for sale. Come find books to keep you and your family entertained throughout the winter months or stop by and spend some time catching up with friends over a cup of coffee and some delicious baked goods. All proceeds from the sale benefit Saint Andrew School.

Upcoming tours: November 8 at 9am and November 17 at 6pm. Please contact Anne Japsen in Admissions at annejapsen@gosaintandrew.com for more information. Come join us and experience what makes our Blue Ribbon School so special. www.gosaintandrew.com