Page 4 CLARION HERALD December 25, 2021 | New Orleans ...

1 Page 4 | CLARION HERALD CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS December 25, 2021 | New Orleans Students proclaim the true meaning of Christmas Leila Merry Christmas from our students! ABBATE The Council of Catholic School Cooperative Clubs sponsors the annual Keep 5TH GRADE Christ in Christmas poster, essay and poetry contest. The Department of Catholic ST. CHRISTOPHER Education and Faith Formation selected winners in three divisions: grades 3-5, THE MARTYR 6-8 and 9-12. A separate contest also was open to students who attend Parish SCHOOL Schools of Religion.

2 Both contests are promoted by the Christ in Christmas METAIRIE Committee, which coordinates the placement of Keep Christ in Christmas . billboards throughout the archdiocese. Go to org to see the exact locations of the 60-plus billboards this year. Remember the poor in celebrating the When a whole community of on his birthday. people get together to donate These are the important rea- birth of Christ their time and money to a sons and personal ways that I. I. charity, it makes Jesus happy keep Christ in Christmas. magine a birthday without a cake.

3 That would be like Christmas without Jesus. and give us the opportunity Here is how and why you to find eternal love. Sarah Christmas isn't just about should keep Christ in Christ- mas. LeCOMPTE presents. It's about the abun- First of all, without Jesus' 6TH GRADE dant and everlasting love God birth, Christmas wouldn't ST. PHILIP NERI has for us. Photos by Frank J. Methe | CLARION HERALD . SCHOOL Why do we call it Christ- even exist! Mary and Joseph struggled to find a place for METAIRIE mas? He gave us the ultimate Sawyer Hanley his birth.

4 Once Jesus was born, gift, Jesus Christ! This is why 5th grade he helped his foster father, Jo- God's incredible love on Christmas morning we should celebrate Christmas St. Philip Neri School, Metairie seph, while he was a carpenter. Jesus would go out and preach for us is shown in the we should celebrate him I drew a tree, and, at the top, I thought of the star to represent when the Gospel and would listen to child Jesus and the ultimate gift we were given on that day. God will Jesus was born. The ornaments have pictures of an angel, a cross and a his parents all the time.

5 Sheep to represent the animals at the Nativity scene and Jesus' manger. D. Next, Jesus died for us. Jesus o you know the true always love us, forever and I also put the rosary as the Christmas lights. I thought it would be cool to was crucified on the cross, but meaning of Christ- ever. put presents under the tree and say, It's about his presence, not about he had trouble getting there. mas? Well, I am going Merry Christmas! the presents.' . His crucifixion was not easy: to tell you the true meaning He had to carry the cross, had of Christmas.

6 You might be to wear a crown of thorns, thinking of exciting presents, and he wasn't even allowed to fragrant Christmas trees and Ava stop. Mary tried to talk to him, delicious cookies; and while CASTILLON. but she only had a few seconds all these Christmas traditions 11TH GRADE. before the guards shooed are fun, they do not represent mount CARMEL. her away. Once Jesus got to the love God has for us. ACADEMY. Golgotha, the guards nailed First of all, God sent his NEW Orleans . him to the cross. He talked to only son to save us from sin God, asking him to forgive all and death.

7 This was an incred- people, then bowed his head, ible act of love. By doing this, Sights and colors of and died. He died for our sins! he gave us eternal life. He gave us the choice to choose Christmas have deep Now, I'm going to tell you how to keep Christ in Christ- eternal peace and happiness spiritual meaning C. mas. First, you should go to by giving us this miracle on hristmas is a holiday Mass on Christmas. Also, after Christmas Day. God chose to that is loved by all, you get your presents, you love us sinners and to give us young and old.

8 It is cel- should pray an Our Father, a a chance of forgiveness. ebrated all around the world in Hail Mary or another special Second of all, Jesus was not many different ways. It is one Savannah Pham prayer just to show him re- spect and to show him that born into a palace or a rich of the most famous holidays family. He was born to kind around the world, yet people 6th grade you feel joyful on his birthday. and loving parents, Mary do not know its true meaning. Visitation of Our lady School, Marrero Giving to the poor is a great and Joseph.

9 The way he was Children think that it is about Mary and Joseph are trying to get to Bethlehem to give birth to baby way to be Christlike during born was symbolic of how getting presents and seeing Jesus, and the star is shining to light the way. I did it in watercolor topped the holidays. For example, my God wanted us to live our Santa. The older we get, the with markers. Actually, I thought about it last year because last year I did school helped collect dona- lives, humbly and grateful more we begin to understand a stable that might have been on the wrong-size poster.

10 This year, I just tions from the students so they for whatever we are given. He that Jesus is the most impor- thought about them making the journey. My older sister taught me how could fill boxes of treats for came into this world to heal tant part of Christmas. to draw, and I got a lot of inspiration from her.. poor people around the world. people from sin and sickness See CHRISTMAS page 5 . December 25, 2021 | New Orleans CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS CLARION HERALD | Page 5. CHRISTMAS. From PAGE 4. in our lives until Christmas.