Sir, – Our schools finished up last week for their well-deserved Christmas holidays. For many, the term ended with traditional festive rituals which blended our Christian heritage with cultural customs and youthful creativity. Among the joy and fun of these rituals, the comfort and serenity of nostalgia took hold as we unlocked treasured memories of Christmases gone by. Central to the celebrations were the Christmas carols, which brought students, teachers, and parents together to celebrate the religious significance of Christmas as a school community. School choirs and orchestras performed a repertoire of traditional carols such as O Holy Night and Silent Night alongside modern classics like When A Child Is Born with lyrics reminding us of the challenge of “turning everyone to everyone’s neighbour”, a particularly appropriate message in our country today. The appeal to Feed the World from the iconic mid-Eighties single Do They Know It’s Christmas, 40 years on, is still pertinent today and nowhere more so than in Sudan which is suffering the worst humanitarian catastrophe in recent history, yet the crisis remains unknown to most of the world. Here at home, the plea resonates painfully for those relying on essential food vouchers in these weeks and beyond.
The Christmas story for Christians all over the world is one of faith, love, peace and joy. Yet the story also relates experiences of hardship with themes like foreign occupation and strife, poverty and exile from home. Sadly, these experiences are only too familiar for many people living in our own country today who have sought refuge here, including some of our teachers, students and their families.
Many schools organised initiatives, such as food hampers, toy collections, sleep outs and fundraisers for local and national charities. Christmas Jumper days were held alongside Christmas fairs with proceeds going to charities. The act of giving in our schools is a meaning-making activity as we try to make a difference in the hustle and bustle of it all.
Many schools held Christmas concerts where students showcased their skills in music, dance, drama, and comedy. These had a festive atmosphere done in a spirit of fun and community. Often there was a “surprise” twist, with school staff participating in humorous skits or surprise musical performances, sometimes with audiences not being able to tell the difference but enjoying every minute. The ethos, philosophy and practices of many of our schools in the Christian tradition may not always be compatible with the religious beliefs of everyone but the Christmas festivities and rituals that we celebrate are about joy, fun, friendship and respect for all. They serve as a reminder of the care and togetherness that define our schools. The traditional Christmas rituals in schools across the country are much more than seasonal diversions. They are meaningful practices that enhance the school experience for students and staff alike. These traditions reflect the values of faith, generosity, creativity, and community that are central to these schools.
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The continuity of tradition and the reassurance it brings leave lasting memories in the hearts of all who participate, regardless of how many Christmases of age we are, because as the much-loved carol O Little Town of Bethlehem reminds us, “where charity stands watching, and faith holds wide the door, the dark night wakes, the glory breaks, and Christmas comes once more”. – Yours, etc,
JOHN McHUGH,
Principal,
Ardscoil Rís,
Dublin 9.