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BISHOP KELLY HIGH SCHOOL’S VERSION OF “TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS” BY FR. GREG VANCE, S.J.
‘Twas the week before break, and throughout BK’s halls,
You could feel the anxiety, it seeped through the walls!
Stress about finals, and projects and grades,
Was felt all around, would there come any aides?
Every student was locked away in their heads
Cramming and stressing, giving in to their dreads.
But Today we are challenged to listen, serene,
To a vision of BK we might never have seen.
When you reach out, beyond selfishness and greed
To a classmate or a teacher, understanding their need,
You fulfill the mission that God has imparted,
And you bring more to life what Jesus Christ started.
This world can be lonely, stressful and cruel,
And at times, we may dread even coming to school.
But it is here together that we can even dare conceive,
Of a world based on love, running on what we believe.
No place is perfect, or free of all sin,
And at times we don’t sacrifice, only preferring to win.
But today, as we gather to listen and pray,
We remember that God will return to us one day.
That child in the manger, so innocent and sweet,
Will one day be nailed by his hands and his feet,
To the cross of our sins, our darkness and shame,
And love us so much, that salvation we can claim!
Christmas can be happy, joyful and fun --
Friends and family to visit, relaxing to be done.
But let’s not forget, avoid or escape,
That this child is God, and our souls He did shape!
Wherever you go, and whatever you do,
On your break and in your life, my prayer for you,
Is that you remember, and let it sink in,
How MUCH you are loved, in spite of your sin.
On your break please relax, celebrate and play,
But just a few times, please remember to pray!
And try hard to see, through the craziness and hype,
That the season is upon us, and the time is now ripe,
To accept the great love and the grace and the blessing,
That God offers us as a gift, NOT for possessing,
But for sharing and giving freely to all
Who might need something from us, and to us might call.
Even if you feel lonely, confused and unsure,
There is MUCH you can give that is holy and pure.
All you need to do is start giving, and without a care,
You’ll find just how much you have within you to share.
To believe that Jesus is present to you,
In good times and bad -- in whatever you do,
Is the gift of our faith -- it’s the subject of ALL classes,
And it’s what we see every day, and at all our Masses!
Let’s help each other, both today and next week,
To get through our finals, and find what we seek,
Not wrapped in a box, or under a tree,
But right next to you now, in you and in me!
BK will be here on the day you get back,
To challenge, support you and keep you on track.
And while you’re away, give some time for the thought,
That your school is a powerful blessing you’ve got!
Blessed Christmas to all in this wonderful place,
May God fill the New Year with health and with grace.
My prayer for you all, as Christmas draws near,
Is that we all know what a special place we have here!
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