Activities

Christmas Open House 2002

If a stranger happened to pass near St. Louis de Montfort Academy on December 15, he would have had a hard time holding back his curiosity. With the sounds of traditional Christmas carols, the aroma of Yuletide goodies, and the warmth of friendly conversation emanating from within its walls, he would find himself irresistibly drawn to the Academy’s annual Christmas open house. As it was, over seventy guests gathered at the Academy that day.

Upon entering the door, the visitor is not a stranger for long. For a student or staff member greets him, takes his coat and bids him make himself comfortable. First, he is shown the Nativity scene that is a hallmark of every open house. This year, the Academy’s in-house artist, Mr. Dias Tavares, with the help of others, created a veritable feast for the eyes. A backdrop painting of twilight, complete with twinkling stars, surrounds a steep mountain. At the base, a grotto encloses the Holy Family, attended by the Magi Kings, the shepherds and their sheep. On the horizon, the rays of the sun begin to break forth from behind the walls and towers of the city of Bethlehem, which jut out from behind shrub-laden hills. Below, a verdant oasis attracts the sheep of other sleepy shepherds.

Guests enjoy conversation, eggnog and Christmas snacks.

Pulling himself away from the Nativity scene, he warms himself by the fire as he watches the progress of friendly bouts of chess or Chinese checkers. The aroma from the kitchen below becomes irresistible, however, and he descends from the main room to the refectory. There, he not only finds all the cookies, cakes and eggnog he likes, but also all the good conversation he has been missing for a while. Before long, a bell tinkles: the sign that the Academy choir is about to sing.

Headmaster, Mr. Ted Huereña, conducts the choir.

The visitor takes a seat, wondering whether the choir will start with Rudolf, the Red-Nosed Reindeer or Frosty, the Snowman. Instead he hears the melancholic, yet hopeful O Come, O Come Emmanuel, reminding all of the season of Advent, a time of sorrow and penance for the fall of Adam and Eve, but also of joyful expectation for the coming of the Messiah. Then, with jubilant innocence, the Italian carol The Snow Lay on the Ground combines a spirit of prayer and rejoicing. A highlight in the choral presentation is a solemn, three-voice German carol, Maria Durch. March of the Kings, the students’ favorite carol, imparts a unique martial interpretation of the Christmas spirit. After several other traditional English and French carols, the presentation ends with a carol sung in Latin, Pueri Concinite.

The audience applauds the choir presentation.

After the choir presentation, a student offers to show the visitor around the building. He shows him the chapel, the classrooms, the library and the faculty offices, all the while telling him of the daily schedule and other details of life at the Academy. Then he shows him the students’ bedrooms on the third floor. He proudly points out his own bed, and challenges the visitor to bounce a quarter on the taut bed coverings. After filling him in on recent adventures, outings or his oft-repeated “favorite subject,” the student brings him back to the main room.

Seeing everyone still engaged in conversation, he looks at his watch and is amazed at how time has flown. Once again he goes over to the Nativity scene. It seems that the more he looks at it, the more he discovers. He contemplates the contrast between the regal Magi Kings and the rustic-looking shepherds. His eye catches a tardy lamb, struggling to catch up to the other sheep already gathering around the little cave. Then he realizes something. He slaps his forehead in disbelief. He had forgotten all about his friend’s party. After all, he was only a stranger passing by.