Keep Christ in Christmas.
It’s a short and simple message. Yet it is so meaningful that the Knights of Columbus strive to spread it far and wide at this time of year.
In the Diocese of Rochester and other parts of the world, the Knights — a Catholic fraternal service organization — are promoting the “Keep Christ in Christmas” slogan in parishes and the wider community. Dan Weed, who helps organize several such initiatives for Ithaca Council 277, said the annual effort serves as a reminder that Christ’s birth is the true reason for celebrating the season.
This priority, he remarked, can all too easily become lost or ignored in a sea of holiday parties, shopping, advertising and other secular distractions.
“We’re really trying to focus away from the commercialism,” said Weed, who serves as his council’s treasurer. “If we’re not focused on Christ in our community and our family, I’m not sure what we’re trying to achieve other than excess.”
Ithaca, East Rochester Knights of Columbus spread ‘Keep Christ in Christmas’ message
Weed noted that several Keep Christ in Christmas projects are afoot in Ithaca. They include producing an online “Journey to the Inn” video featuring Christmas meditations; erecting a Christmas wish tree inside Immaculate Conception Church for which there was a lighting ceremony on Nov. 30, the first Sunday of Advent; and organizing a group that will go caroling in the Ithaca Commons downtown at 5 p.m. Dec. 5 as an evangelization effort. Council 277 also supports the local Keep Christ in Christmas poster contest, through which youths create artwork based on that slogan.
Another active participant in the Knights’ poster initiative is St. John Fisher Council 3676 at East Rochester’s St. Jerome Church. In fact, an entry last year by St. Jerome’s Lily Jarmusz was named the international winner in the grade 5-6 division.
“You see stuff that’s so creative and unique. There’s always several posters that you’re kind of blown away by,” said Anthony DiTucci, who coordinates the Council 3676 contest.
“We are extraordinarily pleased with the participation and support,” Martin D’Ambrose, the council’s grand knight, said about the poster initiative. “It helps the young people know it’s important to set the right example, that we’re good Catholics.”
DiTucci added that embracing the Keep Christ in Christmas theme can have a lasting effect on the young artists’ faith lives: “It’s not a one-and-done. It stays with them.”
Efforts by Knights of Columbus serve as reminders of the true meaning of Christmas
In addition to the poster contest, D’Ambrose said Council 3676 encourages spreading of the Keep Christ in Christmas message via yard signs bearing those words: “They’re all over town.”
He and DiTucci added that several area Knights of Columbus attend the annual Advent tree-lighting ceremony at East Rochester’s Edmund Lyon Park; this year’s gathering took place Nov. 30. The ecumenical event — which also features a Nativity scene and the singing of carols — is organized by many local churches.
“It’s just a wonderful, wonderful occasion,” said D’Ambrose, noting that for some families, the ceremony might actually be their first exposure to the real meaning of Christmas.
According to Weed, an additional way to spread a genuine Christmas spirit is to focus on “people less fortunate than we are.” He said the high volume of those in need is reflected by the Christmas wish tree at Immaculate Conception, through which placards — featuring the Knights of Columbus logo and the words “Keep Christ in Christmas” — are made available for people to write their wishes and hang on the tree.
Last year’s wish-makers wrote such requests as asking for peace in the world; for themselves and others to grow closer to Jesus; and for healing for those who are ill, lonely, fighting addiction or estranged from loved ones. Among the more poignant examples: “Please help me and my brother be friends again. I miss him”; “For healing and comfort for those with cancer, especially my brother”; and “I pray for my family to return to the church.”
“Some of the wishes brought us to tears. People were pouring their hearts out,” Weed said.
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