2015-12 Winter Quarter - Read Online

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“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!
EDITORIAL
Anna Eileen
Sarah Freddino
Josefa Linell
Sabrina Olomi
Natalie Pratt
Teresa Regnier
Isabella Rollins
Michele Suner
Marie Valdovinos
Joseph Wagner
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Dr. Mary Kay Clark
EDITORS
Kevin Clark
Christine Smitha
Bob Wiesner
MARKETING DIRECTOR
Jim Shanley
LAYOUT & DESIGN
Dominic de Souza
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
VOL. 3, ISSUE 2, DEC 2015-JAN 2016
Seton Home Study School
1350 Progress Dr.
Front Royal, VA 22630
Phone: (540) 636-9990
Fax: (540) 636-1602
CHRISTINE SMITHA
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BAYLEY BULLETIN, DEC-FEB 2016