The joy that we speak of at Christmastime is a universal acknowledgement of the message of the birth of the Messiah. It is a blessing that is bestowed on mankind. It is also a state of being that can be experienced again and again in our daily lives.

At Montessori West, the seemingly simple delights of childhood are like rays of light that give us opportunities for experiencing over and over again, the unadulterated feelings of joy. We witness daily the child reaching the peak of her work time, flowing with it, and opening her mind to the gifts of that given moment. We see the twinkle in her eyes as she is touched by an idea, an insight, the symmetry of the beads in a mathematical equation, or some musical notes. We wonder with her as we look at her inspired face, listening to a lecture on the solar system, gazing at the constellations, or marveling at the powers of the sun. We feel a tug in our hearts as she tries to fathom the mystery of a bud, a nest, or the idea of a flowing river. We take pride in the compassion she shows as she consoles a crying girl or a hurt boy.

And so, during this season of joy, as all the children at Montessori West sing “Light One Candle”, “Silent Night” , and “Joy to the World”, we will reiterate our mission of celebrating the child’s powers and rejoice at all the joys she is capable of bringing to the world.