Who's Coming to Town?

“It’s like the song, ‘You better not pout, you better not cry, Santa Claus is coming to town.’”

The kid is what we lovingly call “a mess.” Homework at his level is fairly rote: Spelling, Math, History Litany (a chronological list of events with dates and scripture references), and Reading. Each day he’ll write it down in his student planner. The Math and Spelling pages go into his Homework folder, the one with the green sheets on which the litany is printed so he can copy it out. Each day he’ll leave school with his student planner stuffed inside his desk, or left on top of it. The next morning he’ll have an excuse for why his homework isn’t completed—usually in the form of someone else to blame, or “I forgot.” To be fair, this is a problem he is lately overcoming with a mighty effort. He has done himself proud at completing his homework for the past two weeks.

“I forgot” is his favorite excuse. Not paying attention is his favorite pastime. He’s had to be moved away from any window in the classroom. The temptation to gaze outside is too great. His desk was once turned sideways to the room. He spent so much time with his head on his hand lost in dreamland it was the only hope of getting him to look toward the front of the room and the board where the lesson is going on. During Latin Pastor will gently bring him back to the game with a song, “One of these boys is not like the others; one of these boys doesn’t belong. One of these boys isn’t on the same page; one of these boys isn’t playing along.”

Yet here we were, engaged in a conversation on the end times. The chapel reading that week was Luke 21:25-36. The changing seasons alert us to when summer is near. In the same way, distresses upon the earth—among nations, between people, and in the weather—signal changes of another sort. Some will become faint with fear. Others will expend their lives foolishly. But Jesus says to do none of these things. Instead He says to look up, “For your redemption is near.” Jesus reminds us to put our hope in that which is real: Himself.

With the insight and sanctified memory of an eight-year-old, my mess of a student said, “It’s like the song, ‘You better not pout, you better not cry, Santa Claus is coming to town.’ Jesus is coming with His Gifts of Baptism and His Body and Blood. So we don’t have anything to worry about when the world is falling apart.” And this one knows a good deal about worlds falling apart.

Little things this one forgets, like homework. Big things he remembers, like chapel sermons from his pastor. Pastor uses the “Santa Claus is coming to town” illustration every year at this time to bring home the point of difference between what Christ gives and what the world gives at Christmas.

What is Math and History compared to what the Holy Spirit teaches this one at school? This child is a precious treasure, wrapped in Christ and fed by His Word.

Catechism Essay

Why the Catechism is Important

The Catechism is important to keep us from going crazy. It does this by reminding us of what Jesus has done for us. The Commandments, Baptism, and Confession are important parts of the Catechism that do this.

The first part of the Catechism that is important is the Commandments. The Commandments are important because they tell you how you should treat your parents, not to hurt or harm your friend, to not misuse God’s name, and not to steal. We learn to do this because this is how God treats us in Jesus. The second part of the Catechism that is important is Baptism. Baptism is important because it brings you to Christ our Savior, and Jesus tells us to do it. The third part of the Catechism that is important is Confession. Confession is important because you repent of your sins and receive Absolution, that is, forgiveness.

In conclusion, the Catechism is an important book to learn. It has a lot of good things about our Lord Jesus Christ.

Fifth Grade

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Why It Is Good to Say the Catechism Daily

It is good to say the Catechism daily. There are three reasons why this is true. The first reason why it is good to say the Catechism is to understand God. If you do not understand God, saying the Catechism daily will give you a chance to. The second reason to say the Catechism daily is to learn to trust God. If you have never trusted God it will help you to. The third reason why it is good to say the Catechism is to learn it, and to teach other people. When you learn the Catechism you can go out in the world and tell about God. In conclusion, it is just good to say the Catechism.

Third Grade

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Why It Is Good to Say the Catechism Daily

All people need to say the Catechism daily. There are three reasons why everyone needs to say the Catechism. The first reason why people need to say the Catechism is so they don’t forget the Commandments. They don’t want to forget the Commandments because then it is harder to do things kindly. The second reason why everyone needs the Catechism is so they don’t get mad at God. They do not want to get mad at God because it is very unhealthy. The third reason why people need the Catechism is so that they don’t think God is against them. They don’t want to think that way because then they can become evil. In conclusion, it is obvious that everyone needs to say the Catechism daily.

Third Grade

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How the Catechism Teaches Me

I have two good things to talk about the Catechism. My two things are Baptism and the Lord’s Prayer. My first thing is Baptism. I like Baptism because it talks about water that is holy because of God’s word in it. The Catechism also teaches me the Lord’s Prayer. I like the Lord’s Prayer because Jesus put these words in my mouth. These two things remind me of Jesus’ word and what Jesus did for me.

Second Grade

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How the Catechism Teaches Me

The Catechism teaches Christ and Baptism. The first thing you learn is Christ is our Lord. It teaches us in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen. The second thing you learn is Baptism. Baptism teaches us about Christ and his word. Both of these things teach about God forgiving us.

Second Grade

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How the Catechism Teaches Me

Catechism teaches me two things and I chose two. These two are God loves us more than possible and Jesus died. The first thing I chose is God loves us more than possible. I chose God loves us more than possible because he created us. The second thing I chose is Jesus died. Jesus died because he saved us. Catechism teaches me a couple of things and I like these two because it is a matter of his word and because he loved us.

Second Grade

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How the Catechism Teaches Me

Catechism teaches me two things. These two are Jesus and Baptism. The first thing the catechism teaches me is Jesus. It teaches me Jesus because it has the Lord’s Prayer. I also learn about Baptism. I like Baptism because it washes away my sin. I like these two because the Lord gives them to me.

Second Grade