The 2015 Bayley Bulletin Winter Issue: ‘Christmas Time is Here’!

“Christmastime is here. . .” Well, at least the Christmas issue is.

Welcome to the Winter Quarter of Seton Home Study School’s Bayley Bulletin, which features insights from recent Seton graduates about navigating college, tips for staying on track by a current student, a meditation on one of modern history’s great miracles, and of course, the winning essays from the annual Christmas writing contest.

The student authors who won this year’s contest did an excellent job of crafting essays about Christmas gifts. However, all of the entries impressed me by clearly recognizing the fact that “gift” encompasses so much more than just what money can buy.

From the simple to the profound, the comedic to the poignant, every essay demonstrated awareness and gratitude for the true meaning of Christmas.

As I think about gifts and gifting myself this year, I keep returning to the blessings of friendship, of God’s friendship with mankind (“No longer do I call you servants. . .but I have called you friends.” Jn. 15:15), and of the friendships He makes possible between and amongst ourselves.

So much does God cherish us that He gave us His only Son, and that we might perpetuate that gift of love, He commanded us to love one another as ourselves for His sake. Thus, “no greater gift has man than to lay down his life for love.”

There is nothing greater we can give to one another than ourselves.

This year, I am grateful to God in a particular way for the good friends He has provided me in this life—friends who walk with me on this journey to Heaven, and give themselves with their time, attention, prayer, joy, and encouragement toward holiness.

As we gather around the crèche this Christmas, let’s all take time to thank the ones who love us, and in particular, to thank the One Who is Love for giving Himself to us.

Merry Christmas and a very blessed and peaceful New Year!