December 21, 2011 at 8:15 PM

"Earthed" - a poem (found here) I shared at the Orillia Christian School Christmas Dinner and Sing-along on Tuesday, December 20 gives expression to the fact that Jesus Christ, born as a baby into the human race yet fully divine Son of God, the Word, "became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighbourhood" (John 1:14 The Message). He came to earth and in so doing he "earthed" a new order, a new way of looking at life and what matters in life. He is, as the poem also indicates, God for us and God with us.

Speaking of the Christmas Dinner and Sing-along, what a wonderful occasion to gather as a school community! Over 150 people - students, parents, grandparents, and staff - shared a delicious meal in the gymnasium, decorated with student artwork and alive with the hustle and bustle of black and white-suited grade seven and eight students serving a meal which they as a class had organized and prepared. Hats off to our senior class and their teacher, Mrs. Veenstra, for this wonderful initiative and their example of student leadership! A terrific taste of community building!

Four alumni also willingly shared their musical talents with us, accompanying our sing-along of well-known Christmas carols. Alumni of Orillia Christian School, continue to let your light shine in the communities in which God has placed you! And how could we forget the music video, the grand finale to a festive evening! Inspired by a group from a small Alaskan village who posted a YouTube video of their students holding up the syllables for the lyrics of Handel's Hallelujah Chorus while the song played, our own Mr. Chester videotaped the student body and various staff in a similar fashion and the music video, after the technical glitches were handled, was a fabulous way to end the evening.

As I contemplate anew the depth of God's love in the 'earthing' of this baby Jesus so long ago in Bethlehem, I also consider the 'earthing' of this blog. A new means of looking at what's happening at Orillia Christian School and in the sphere of Christian education. While the similarity stops there, a blog with a very finite influence whereas the baby came that those who believe in Him might have everlasting life (John 3:16), something of infinite value, I do hope that this blog serves as a tool for parents to not only keep in touch with the happenings at the school, but also to 'earth' a greater sense of what Christian education is all about as they share their passion with others in our community.