Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/49975
Fai at the Holidays BY SR. MARIE KERNS, RSM FOR MANY PEOPLE OF FAITH, THE APPROACH OF THE HOLIDAYS CAUSES THEM TO BE MORE ATTENTIVE THAN USUAL TO PRACTICES AND TRADITIONS OF THEIR PARTICULAR FAITH. Indeed, a greater awareness of faith is certainly appropriate at the holidays, since the English word "holiday" means "holy day," a time (an entire day!) that is designated as holy. While celebration of the holidays within a faith context generally includes several aspects of rejoicing, praise and rituals, it may be interesting to refl ect on how people modify holiday celebrations as they progress through the life cycle. Young children know there is a specialness about the holidays that does not occur as markedly at other times of the year. They witness the love of extended family members gathering around a table laden with distinctive "only-at-this-time-of-the-year" food items. They hear stories of miraculous events and are the recipients of wonderful gifts. School age children understand the holidays as a time set apart — not unlike Sabbath — from regular routines as an opportunity to reverence and celebrate occasions of giving thanks, lighting the darkness and re-kindling hope. Older children celebrate the holidays by participation in public events such as pageants and choral concerts. In addition, they ONE-OF-A-KIND SUPPLIES • crayons, markers, paint or stickers • glitter • glue • scissors • star template • string or yarn DIRECTIONS 1 Cut out two star shapes and decorate each with crayons, markers, paint or stickers. 2 Fold the tabs under both of the stars. Crease the interior lines of the stars and fold so the arms of the star puff up. 3 Join the two stars together by gluing each tab to the inside of the other star. 4 Glue a short loop of string or yarn to one arm of the star. For an extra-sparkly star, spread glue over each arm and sprinkle with glitter. Join us at Facebook.com/BonSecoursVA and post a photo of your star with the adult-and- child artistic team who worked on it. Try using different colors or glitter on each panel to make each star unique! demonstrate their love at home by partaking more readily in holiday preparations such as food preparation, gift-wrapping and home decoration. Young adults beginning their own families pass on stories and traditions to their own young children. Newly married couples lovingly take part in worship services and family gatherings of their spouses' families. Middle-aged adults generally have a deep and refl ective attitude toward holiday celebrations. Having entered a period of life where time and relationships are more important than gift giving and feasting, they become their families' standard- bearers for simple and slower-paced holiday activities. Finally, older adults generally view the holiday period (which comes with increasing frequency!) in a subdued, often bittersweet way. Reaching the fi nal decades of life prompts people to cherish strongly fond, favorite memories of holidays past. At this stage so much of life has produced joyous holiday memories, yet there are some memories sadly tinged with remembrances of national sadness and personal misfortune. Of course, too, the passing of years means also the constant passing on of loved friends and relatives. Here though, is where the constancy of faith-fi lled holidays reminds us ever of the best things in life — love, generosity, praise and thanksgiving — those things we truly celebrate yearlong, lifelong. Holiday Star PRINT THIS PAGE TO CREATE A CUSTOM DECORATION WITH THIS EASY-TO-MAKE PAPER STAR — THE PERFECT SEASONAL PROJECT TO SHARE WITH A CHILD. These are the tabs you'll apply glue to in step 3. Cut out this shape as a template to create your stars!