Students around the diocese spent Advent getting themselves ready for Christmas and helping others do the same.

In Middle Village, the school community of Christ the King got into the spirit of the season at its annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony. More than 200 people joined in the festivities. Santa was on hand for pictures, and families enjoyed an indoor Winter Wonderland filled with games, activities, bouncy castles and hot chocolate. Christ the King’s musical theater group was also on hand to sing Christmas carols. The drum band and choir also added to the joyful mood.

The school’s theater group visited Dry Harbor Nursing Home to continue the festivities. They preformed a medley of songs from their recent theater production, The Beatles and Beyond.

In College Point,  the students at St. Agnes A.H.S. remembered the true meaning of Christmas and cared for those who are less fortunate    by donating toys this Christmas season to the St. John’s Bread & Life Program.

Continuing their annual tradition, the young women of Saint Saviour H.S., Park Slope, also collected items for those in need. This year, campus ministry, led by Sister Anne Lally, C.S.J., along with the help of many students, set up a Giving Tree. The unwrapped gifts that were collected in this effort were donated to Hour Children, a non-profit organization founded by the Sisters of Saint Joseph that helps transform the lives of homeless, abused and formally incarcerated women and their children.

The student council at Bishop Kearney H.S., Bensonhurst, took on the challenge to provide a festive atmosphere in school this year, as well as to remember all those who are not as fortunate as they are.

The council organized a Jesse Tree to donate presents to various organizations including: St. John the Baptist Parish Outreach Program, which provides toys for girls and boys;  the St. Francis Breadline, which gives socks, scarves and gloves for those who will come for Christmas dinner; Hour Children; and St. John’s Bread & Life Program, which provides toys and games for six-year-old girls.

The school’s Candy Cane Grams funded a donation to The Tablet’s Bright Christmas appeal.

Keeping in touch with the artistic traditions of the season, the Kearney Door Decorating Party and Contest brought out the artistic and creative talents of each homeroom.

Kearny freshmen and seniors sent cards to­­­­­­­­ wounded warriors to remind them that they have not been forgotten.