Today is the first day of Advent and, as Catholic people at a Catholic school we know what we should do to prepare ourselves as we await the arrival of the Christ Child. We'll conduct Reconciliation for the students, celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, pray, sing and focus much of our curriculum around the nativity. We'll also perform numerous musical programs including preschool, kindergarten and grades 1 through 8, before hundreds of cameras and camcorders. Everyone knows the drill and we believe it is very meaningful because the routine reminds us that Christian faith and culture began with the arrival of the Savior.

As we finish Thanksgiving weekend however, I feel a twinge of dismay at the mountain of advertising that comes with the morning newspaper. It's an incredible pile of full-color consumer eye candy! It's the antithesis of that line in the Our Father that says "...and lead us not into temptation." Further, the news often hints that with the proper level of frenzied buying, we might just have a positive impact on the economy. Wow, it's almost a new level of patriotism that requires only a sacrifice equivalent to the interest rate on your credit card!

Do you remember the "must-have" gift you gave or received after last year's frenzy? How about the year before? The only gifts I remember receiving last year and the year before were given to me by my daughter Emily, a former Marine sergeant and currently a veterinary technician at Meadow Hills Clinic. Last year, in my name, she paid an organization for a goat so some lad in a struggling country could have milk for ongoing nutrition and better health. The year before she provided someone with an egg-laying flock of ducks ( I hope they were long range thinkers who waited patiently for eggs rather than having roast duck!).

The reason I remember these gifts is because I already have enough stuff. The thrill is gone for neckties, electronics, power tools, sweaters, Old Spice gift sets, etc., etc. The older I get the more I realize I've gratefully received every conceivable gift and it made little difference in the end. I've got stuff piled everywhere that never gets used. As the days of my life add up my body tends to remind me that I have more years behind me than I do ahead of me. A time is coming when I'll be faced with a very critical discussion with Jesus Christ about about my eternal soul. I intend to mention the goat and ducks in that conversation while conveniently editing references to I-Pods and Old Spice, even though He already knows.

I'm not pontificating here. Again, I plead guilty as a willing participant in American consumer culture. It is in my psyche and affects my soul. I'm also aware that yearly messages to avoid the holiday hype can be a trite tradition in their own right too. With that in mind, here is my suggestion. Slow down, do a little less and spend a little less this year. Remember that TV and newspaper advertising is made to appeal to your cravings the way heroin appeals to an addict. Consider that if bigger and more expensive were measures of importance, Christ would have been born in Jurusalem or Rome instead of humble Bethlehem. Recall your "must-have" gifts of the past if you can and remember that the only one that lasted was Christ, the original Christmas gift. The first Christmas was celebrated by the Holy Family. As always, they are the true model for our goals at Saint Joseph's School.

This year the best gift I will give is not a scarf or sweater. It will be a donation to the Clear Creek Monastery in Oklahoma. It was started in a horse barn about 15 years ago by a group of Benedictine monks and has been growing steadily, attracting a surprising number of young men to the priesthood. The Benedictine order is 1500 years old and dedicates itself to prayer, work and study. They are currently building housing facilities for their members and a beautiful church that is designed to last a thousand years. They are keepers of the faith and powerful role models for us as individuals and as a culture. I believe they understand and practice the true meaning of Advent and Christmas.

Luke 15:1-10

The Gospel reading today was a great reminder to everyone connected to a school, whether they are students, staff, parents or parish. The tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to Jesus and were noticed by the scribes and Pharisees who commented, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."

Jesus explained his approach with the parable of the lost sheep. The shepherd with a flock of 100 sheep will, upon losing one, leave the other 99 while he seeks the lost sheep. Upon finding the lost sheep he rejoices with friends and neighbors because he has found the sheep that was lost. A school always has some lost sheep too. While most of the students do a responsible job there is often the occassional one who steps out of line behaviorally, academically or spiritually. While it would be easy to point the finger at the lost student and simply criticize him or his upbringing, our school is much better at identifying his difficulties and reeling him back in before it is too late.

Confronting a student with what needs to improve and bringing his parents into the process is important. Bringing them together with staff to solve a problem and facilitate success provides more eyes and ears that let the student know they can improve with the help of adults who believe in acting as Christ would. Adding prayer and the sacraments, especially Reconciliation and the Eucharist, bring Christ's healing power to the situation.

When a student responds and improves there is rejoicing, relief and a satisfied feeling by everyone involved. When the parable tells us there is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance it is not a scorekeeping situation. The ninety-nine already receive great rewards and grace. The ninety-nine must remember that goodness is a reward in itself and be gracious and happy that another person has joined their ranks.

I am grateful for the role our staff takes in being good shepherds. They care deeply about their students and are ever vigilant for those who struggle. They are equally good about returning them to the flock. That's why we have such a wonderful flock of students at Saint Joseph's School.