Christmas is meant to be Christ’s Mass, the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ and the miracle of the Incarnation. For many families and students, the season quickly becomes consumed by events, gift buying, and secular symbols that can overshadow the sacred reality of the Nativity. Teaching children the true meaning of Christmas begins with helping them understand that the feast is rooted in the Eucharist. Pope Francis repeatedly urged Christians not to treat Christmas as a sentimental or consumer-driven holiday but as a profound celebration of God entering the world in human form. The Eucharistic celebration of Christmas Day and the Christmas Vigil is meant to draw our hearts to the mystery of the Word made flesh. The manger scene, the Mass, and the readings of the Nativity all center our attention on Christ, who came to dwell among us.

Before the celebration of Christmas arrives, the Church gives us the season of Advent. Advent comes from the Latin words that mean to come to. This season calls us to prayerful waiting and preparation. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops describes Advent as a season that directs our hearts both to the second coming of Christ and to the anniversary of his birth. Catholic theologians remind the faithful that Advent is not simply a countdown to celebrations but an invitation to quiet reflection, repentance, and hope. It is a time when families can slow down and allow the spiritual meaning of the season to shape their hearts. Pope Francis has emphasized that Advent prepares believers to welcome Christ by awakening attentiveness, compassion, and care for the poor.

One of the greatest challenges during this season is the cultural pull toward excessive spending and consumerism. Children often absorb messages that Christmas is about wanting more and receiving more. Pope Francis has spoken directly to this temptation, explaining that consumerism steals the heart of Christmas by shifting focus away from Christ and toward material comfort. Teaching children to resist these pressures begins with simple truths. We can remind them that gifts and traditions are enjoyable, but they do not define Christmas. Jesus is the greatest gift we receive, and our love for him is expressed through worship, gratitude, and acts of charity. Helping children understand the difference between joyful celebration and consumer excess gives them clarity and anchors their choices in faith.

Below are some practical strategies families and teachers can use to help children keep a Christ-centered lens throughout the season.

• Light an Advent wreath at home and say a simple prayer each week. The candles symbolize hope, peace, joy, and love as we prepare our hearts for Christ.
• Make Sunday Mass and especially Christmas Mass the center of the celebration. Discuss the Nativity readings in advance so that children can listen with intention.
• Set up a Nativity scene and wait to place the figure of the infant Jesus until Christmas Day. This simple gesture helps children understand anticipation and sacred timing.
• Choose a charitable family project such as donating toys, collecting warm clothing, or providing food for families in need. This practice reflects the generosity that Christ models for us.
• Have honest conversations with children about spending and priorities. Explain that the family chooses to celebrate Christmas with simplicity and love rather than excess.
• Teach children the difference between enjoyable extras and the true meaning of the season. Activities such as baking cookies or decorating can be appreciated while still recognizing that Christ remains the center of all celebrations.

When children learn that Christmas is Christ’s Mass, that Advent is a sacred time of preparation, and that generosity and love matter more than material things, they begin to see the entire season through the light of faith. This understanding becomes a gift that stays with them long after childhood. It shapes their values, their relationship with Christ, and the way they engage with the world. By intentionally guiding children back to the heart of Christmas, families and educators help them keep Christ at the center and allow the beauty of the season to deepen their love for God and others.

References
Catholic News Agency. “Pope Francis: Christmas Is the Feast of Love Incarnate.” Catholic News Agency, 25 Dec. 2020, www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/46980/pope-francis-christmas-is-the-feast-of-love-incarnate.
Catholic News Agency. “Pope Francis on Christmas: The Manger Is a Sign That God Is with Us and Loves Us.” Catholic News Agency, 24 Dec. 2024, www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253157/pope-francis-on-christmas-the-manger-is-a-sign-that-god-is-with-us-and-loves-us.
Catholic News Agency. “Pope Francis Says Consumerism Has Stolen Christmas.” Catholic News Agency, 1 Dec. 2019, www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/46971/pope-francis-consumerism-has-stolen-christmas.
Catholic News Agency. “Pope Francis Encourages Families to Spend Less Money and Live Christmas with Greater Simplicity.” Catholic News Agency, 18 Dec. 2024, www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253071.
Catholic Answers. “Advent: What Are We Preparing For.” Catholic Answers Magazine, Dec. 2023, www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/advent-what-are-we-preparing-for.
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. “Advent.” USCCB, www.usccb.org/prayer-worship/liturgical-year/advent.
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. “Advent Traditions.” USCCB, www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year/advent/index44.

At Our Lady of Perpetual Help, we are more than educators, coworkers, or classmates; we are members of one body, called together for a purpose far greater than ourselves. This week, during our faculty meeting, we took time to reflect on the way God has uniquely designed each of us through our individual personality types. Using the DISC model, we learned that we all carry different traits. Some of us are bold and driven; others are steady and supportive; some are detailed and analytical; others bring warmth and connection wherever they go.

These differences are not accidents; they are divine designs, intentional gifts from the Holy Spirit meant to complement one another and strengthen the mission God has entrusted to us here at OLPH. When we understand who we are and how God made us, we begin to see how our strengths and even our weaknesses can be used for His glory.

As educators, our calling extends beyond the classroom. We are called to recognize these same gifts in our students and in the parents we serve. Each child is a masterpiece in progress, gifted by the Spirit for a specific purpose. Some are helpers, some are joiners, some are challengers, and some are passionate leaders in the making. Our role is to nurture those gifts, to teach them how to work together in unity, and to remind them that every gift has a place in the body of Christ.

When we see one another as essential parts of a whole, rather than as differences to overcome, we create a community where faith flourishes and love leads. Together, we are stronger, more complete, and more capable of fulfilling the mission God has placed before us.

Let us continue to lean into the gifts God has given, embracing the truth that He equips each of us, uniquely and purposefully, to build up His Kingdom right here in our classrooms, our school, and our community.
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“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.”
— 1 Corinthians 12:4–5

​When God designed the butterfly, He built the struggle into its very transformation. A caterpillar does not simply go to sleep and wake up with wings. Inside the chrysalis, its old body breaks down while new structures form. When the time comes to emerge, the butterfly must struggle, pushing fluid into its wings so they expand and harden for flight (Florida Museum of Natural History, 2023). Without this effort, the butterfly’s body remains swollen, the wings deformed, and it will never fly.
This struggle is not an accident; it is by design.
God’s Design for Children, Too
Just as the butterfly must wrestle its way out of the cocoon, our children must wrestle with challenges in life. Struggle is essential for growth. When parents step in too quickly, cutting open the cocoon so to speak, we risk leaving our children unprepared to soar.
Scripture reminds us:
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” (James 1:2–3, NIV)
God does not waste struggle. He uses it to produce perseverance, character, and hope (Romans 5:3–4).
The Science of Struggle
Current child development research supports what God’s Word and creation already tell us, children grow stronger when they are allowed to work through challenges.

• Challenging Play Builds Self-Regulation: A 2024 study found that when children engaged in play that stretched their abilities, and parents allowed them to lead rather than stepping in too soon, they developed stronger self-control and problem-solving skills (University of Wollongong, 2024).
• Autonomy Support During Frustration Prevents Behavioral Problems: Research in 2024 showed that when mothers gave support after a child struggled with a puzzle, rather than taking over, the children developed fewer externalizing behavior problems later (Saïb et al., 2024).
• Confidence Grows from Independence: Studies continue to confirm that when young people are given autonomy and support, not constant rescue, they develop higher resilience, optimism, and academic achievement (Nature Scientific Reports, 2024, Frontiers in Psychology, 2025).

In short, children need space to struggle.
What Happens When We Rescue Too Soon
When someone cuts open a chrysalis to help the butterfly, the result is tragic. The body remains swollen, the wings weak, and flight never comes. The same happens when we make life too easy for our kids. They may be comfortable in the short term, but they risk becoming dependent, anxious, and unsure of their own strength. As parents, teachers, and mentors, we are called to protect and to prepare. Protection without preparation leads to fragility. Preparation through allowing healthy struggle leads to resilience.
Becoming the Chrysalis, Not the Scissors
​So how do we parent like the chrysalis, protecting but not rescuing too soon?

• Allow age-appropriate risk, and let your child try new things even if failure is possible.
• Support autonomy, offer choices, and let them take ownership of decisions.
• Coach through frustration, and guide them with encouragement instead of taking over.
• Celebrate effort, and praise persistence and problem-solving, not just outcomes.

Proverbs 22:6 reminds us, “Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Training involves both teaching and letting children do the work themselves.
Conclusion: Let Them Struggle, Let Them Soar
God never intended butterflies to crawl. He designed them to fly, but only after the struggle of transformation. Our children are the same. If we step in too quickly, we deny them the very process that builds strength, confidence, and independence. Let them wrestle. Let them grow. Let them become capable and resilient. And one day, just like the butterfly, they will spread their wings and soar.

Learn more: 
Florida Museum of Natural History. (2023). Metamorphosis of a monarch butterfly. University of Florida. Retrieved from https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/exhibits/blog/monarch-metamorphosis-video/
Florida Museum of Natural History. (2023). The butterfly life cycle. University of Florida. Retrieved from https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/educators/resource/butterfly-life-cycle/
Saïb, N., Joussemet, M., Cavenaghi, A., & Robichaud, J.-M. (2024). Parental autonomy support and child psychosocial adjustment: Examining the role of cultural hierarchy. International Journal of Child, Youth and Family Studies. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/382348719_Parental_Autonomy_Support_and_Child_Psychosocial_Adjustment_Examining_the_Role_of_Cultural_Hierarchy
University of Wollongong. (2024, March 21). The hidden benefits of challenging play. Early Start Research Institute. Retrieved from https://www.uow.edu.au/media/2024/the-hidden-benefits-of-challenging-play.php
Zhang, J., Chen, L., & Wang, Y. (2025). Autonomy-supportive coaching and youth psychological resilience: A longitudinal analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, 1433171. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1433171/full
Zhao, Y., Li, H., & Xu, W. (2024). Parenting autonomy support and adolescent academic resilience: A cross-cultural study. Scientific Reports, 14(55530). https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-55530-7

At OLPH, we talk a lot about the domestic church, the home where faith is learned in daily life. Scripture paints this beautifully, and the Church calls parents the first teachers of the faith. Your home really can be the place where prayer, mercy, and mission become normal, joyful, and expected. Vatican+1

The Catechism is clear: parents are the first and primary educators, especially in faith, that formation begins early, and the parish walks alongside you, not in place of you. This is both a privilege and a responsibility, and you do not do it alone. Vatican

Research and pastoral wisdom tell a consistent story, kids are most likely to remain Catholic when faith shows up in ordinary family rhythms, pray together, serve together, go to Mass together, talk about God often, and show real affection, warmth matters, routines matter, love that is shown not just said matters. OSV News -America Magazine

As a counselor and educator I also love the Catholic view of the child, your son or daughter is created by God, capable of reason and virtue, still growing in emotional regulation, and always worthy of patient teaching, discipline becomes discipleship, attention becomes formation, affection becomes a bridge for truth. immaculateheartcounseling.org
Five things to do this month

1. Make family prayer short and daily, pick a time that you can actually keep, before dinner or before bed works for most families, start with the Sign of the Cross, a simple thank you prayer, one intention, and an Our Father or a decade of the Rosary, keep it gentle and consistent, let little ones lead when they are ready. Vatican
2. Rebuild Sunday, attend Mass together and make it a whole morning, arrive a bit early, sit close, visit with parish friends after, talk on the ride home about one line from the readings and one way to live it this week, keep it conversational, not a quiz. Vatican
3. Serve as a family, choose one act, a pantry drop off, a parish ministry hour, a neighbor who needs help, service ties love of God to love of neighbor, and kids remember what they do with you. OSV News 
4. Talk about the faith at home, normal and often, at the table, during errands, while you walk the dog, invite questions, show that real questions are welcome, and look up answers together, your steady voice and your example carry more weight than any program. Ascension
5. Practice warm authority, high affection, clear expectations, calm follow through, you can be tender and firm at the same time, this style predicts better faith outcomes than permissive or harsh approaches. Ascension

What to do when it gets messy? Children will test limits, they are learning to think, to choose, to feel, and to love, we mentor that growth with patience, with clear routines, and with consequences that teach rather than shame, remember, they are created good, they fall, and through your love and the sacraments they are restored, again and again. immaculateheartcounseling.org

If your teen pushes back, stay close, ask honest questions, model how to search Church teaching, and walk the road with them, many families who raise faithful Catholic adults kept conversation open and stayed affectionate in hard seasons. OSV News -
Parish and school are partnersThe parish and the school support the family, not replace it, bring your child into parish life early, lean on the sacraments, and let teachers and pastors echo the faith you already live at home, that is the alliance that lasts. Vatican+1

A word of encouragementSome statistics can sound discouraging, yet the most hopeful data point is one you can act on today, parents who pray with their children, show daily affection, keep Sunday, serve together, and talk about faith at home set the strongest trajectory for lifelong Catholic practice. OSV News -America Magazine

A simple prayer you can start tonight: "In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Lord we thank you for today, we are grateful for, each person says one thing, we pray for, each person offers one intention, Our Father, Jesus, help us love you and love others well tomorrow, Amen, then a hug for each child, yes, the hug matters." America Magazine
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For parents who want to go deeper, read a paragraph a night from the Catechism on the duties of family members, reflect on one line from Amoris Laetitia about the domestic church, and post a verse near your table, small daily steps change a home. Vatican+1

More information can be found at: 
Parenting with a Catholic view of the child, Immaculate Heart of Mary Counseling Center. immaculateheartcounseling.org
The secret to raising kids that stay Catholic, family prayer, helping others and hugs, America Magazine. America Magazine
Keeping Kids Catholic, Dr Edward Sri, Ascension, summary of research on parental influence, warm authority, faith talk, and supportive experiences. Ascension
Catechism of the Catholic Church, Duties of family members, Fourth Commandment. Vatican
USCCB, Rights and Duties of Parents, compilation of Church teaching and CCC 2221 to 2226. USCCB
OSV News, Future Faithful Families Project, common features in families whose children remained practicing Catholics, warmth, prayer, Mass, service, open conversation. OSV News ​