A Time for Enrichment
Welcome to our December issue, in which we mark the seasons of Advent and Christmas.
The season always brings to my mind memories of Christmas vacations when I was a kid. What do you remember about your Christmas vacations? Were they brimming with excitement and anticipation, itchy from new sweaters, sad, boring, or all of the above?
For me, besides the excitement and itchiness, I always felt a renewed sense of the possible. School was out, and my siblings and I had endless days to fill. We spent a lot of time playing in the snow, running around the house in our pajamas, and otherwise engaging in reliable childhood occupations. We also spent time inventing: new games, new songs, new art. Shirt boxes made wonderful control panels for spaceships. Wooden clothespins and parts removed from Hot Wheels could be remade into sleek race cars. Scrap wood was an ideal canvas for crayon art. And did I mention the spaceships? Traditionally, this would be the point where a publisher might write about how kids today don’t get the chance to be creative. Humbug! Kids today still can play with wooden clothespins, scrap wood, and boxes. And they can also create web pages, videos, songs, digital slide shows, and even entire worlds inside video games. Their raw materials for invention are remarkably more diverse than what was available to my brothers, sister, and me. And while today’s kids may not play or read in the same way as their parents or grandparents, they are learners and creators. That defining element of childhood remains. As adults, sometimes we need to adjust our perspectives to see it.
In this month’s feature story, Trish Bailey-Arceo explores the defining element of Advent and Christmas decorations and offers ideas for how children can learn about the meaning of such decorations. Just a small adjustment in perspective can enrich a kid’s view of the season. Columnist Johan van Parys shares a story about an annual exhibit of crèches. While the styles and materials used in the exhibit are as varied as the artists, the defining element—the core meaning—of the crèches remains.
I often update you on what’s happening at Liguori Publications. This month, I’d like to ask for your ideas. As you read Liguorian and engage with other resources, what thoughts do you have about how we can serve you better? I’d like to hear them. Please e-mail me at publisher@liguori.org or mail a note to Virgil Tipton, Publisher, Liguori Publications, One Liguori Drive, Liguori, MO 63057-9999.
At Liguori Publications, our wish for you and your family is a blessed, peaceful, and creative Christmas. We also hope your new sweaters aren’t too itchy.