“…We All Will Be Together”

(Prayer offered on the Public Address system for the entire La Salle Academy educational community on Thursday, 20 December 2018)

Good Morning.

Let us remember that we are in the Holy Presence of God…

During the holiday season, one of my favorite Christmas songs to listen to is “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.” The song was written for Judy Garland to sing in the MGM movie “Meet Me in St. Louis.” One of the reasons I like the song so much is because of the immediacy in Garland’s voice. She’s there to explain to her younger sister why Christmas is important, and why family is important, a lesson we can all benefit from. Another reason I enjoy it is because of the lyrics. Some of my favorite lines in the song are:

Have yourself a merry little Christmas

Let your heart be light

From now on your troubles will be out of sight

Here we are as in olden days

Happy golden days of yore

Through the years we all will be together

If the fates allow

Hang a shining star upon the highest bough

So have yourself a merry little Christmas

There’s so much wisdom in that song, especially the line about how we will all be together, if fate allows it. During the Christmas season, I know I look to things that remind me of my childhood, and I’m sure you also find yourself partaking in traditions that are meaningful to you and your earliest holiday memories. That could be decorating your tree with your family, or wrapping gifts the night before Christmas, or making gingerbread houses. Whatever it is, we do these things to experience that feeling of magic that comes with the innocence of childhood, and of hoping and wishing for everything our heart desires. And we want to continue these traditions, because it means that we will carry those memories with us our entire lives and pass them on, sharing a piece of that magic with someone else.

The good news for us is that we can live that magic everyday. Look around and take in the small moments that the world around you provides. Drive on 95, and see the Big Blue Bug with reindeer ears and a red Rudolph nose. Notice the Christmas music playing in the hallways before homeroom here at LSA. Watch one of your favorite Christmas movies playing on TV. And thank the loved one who bakes all those cookies ready for you to eat when you get home from school. Live in the peace God has given us during this season, and know that everything is exactly how it should be.

Let us pray…

Dear God, thank you for sending us your Son, for showing us what love is, and for blessing us with the memories and people that shape our lives. Remind us to always be grateful for the sacrifice of your Son, that he atoned for our sins, and laid down his life for us. And let us open our eyes to the world and people around us, to notice that they are just like us in their pursuit of happiness and love. We ask all of this in your name. Amen.

Saint John Baptist de La Salle… Pray for us.

Live Jesus in our hearts… Forever!

Joseph DeLeo–Physical Education (Dance) Teacher