St. Francis Xavier students share the true meaning of the Christmas spirit

Saint Francis Xavier School.

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Courtesy of Saint Francis Xavier School.

KEARNS — On Dec. 10 and 11, Saint Francis Xavier School held the 2nd Annual Christmas Store for all of the students to come and pick out a gift for their family members. They were very fortunate to have all items donated. Knowing there would be enough to fulfill wish lists for every student was incredible. Each student was given an envelope to list family members for whom they wished to find a gift. All the classes took turns visiting the Christmas Store to hand select personal gifts for the names on their list. For many students this was the first time they were able to give a gift to their parents, brothers, sisters or even grandparents. After selecting gifts they also were able to wrap each gift and personalize it with a name tag.

In this day and age, middle-school students are often thought of as being self-absorbed, but here are the stories of two students who very much have the true spirit of Christmas in their hearts.

Seventh-grader Angel, who recently lost her mother to cancer, enjoyed the store for a reason different than most. As she returned from the store, she was carrying a large flower arrangement with a Christmas theme. Mrs. Duncan, Angel’s 7th grade home-room teacher, commented to Angel that the flowers were beautiful. Angel beamed and said that she was planning to take them to the cemetery to place them on her mother’s grave for Christmas.

Another 7th-grade student, Becky, was proud that she had earned $10 to buy Christmas gifts for her family. She wrote in her journal that she was happy to have the Christmas Store available because it was the first time her entire family would have a gift to open on Christmas morning.

Many of the younger students were overjoyed to have the opportunity to select items for each person on their list. One student said that she liked the mug with the letter "P" on it for her father. When questioned because her father’s name starts with the letter "J," she replied, "Well, I know that, silly, but I call him Papa."

This was a heartwarming experience with the true meaning of Christmas for all of the St. Francis Xavier community. The faculty and staff were taken aback by the thought that was given by students young and old as they carefully found just the perfect gift.

Names have been changed to protect the privacy of the students.

Courtesy of Saint Francis Xavier School