Advent ideal time for kids to ponder what
Baby Jesus would want for HIS birthday
By Ann Hauprich

“How would you feel if it was your birthday and everybody -- except you – was receiving presents?”

During her four decades teaching the Liturgy of the Word to children in three states, Barbara Garro never ceases to be amazed by the answers she receives from kids ranging from preschoolers to fifth graders.

Indeed the Saratoga Springs, NY grandmother who sometimes makes bookstore appearances costumed as Mother Goose could fill multiple volumes with the equivalent of Kids Say the Darndest Things responses to that question and its segue: “What do you think Jesus would most like to receive from you on His birthday?”

While gold, frankincense and myrrh were once upon a time proverbial favorites with those on the brink of adolescence, replies more often than not revolve around the latest popular Christmas toys, increasingly those in the realm of electronic gadgets.

To which Garro, a longtime active St. Clement’s parishioner, is apt to seize the teachable moment by asking: “Can you really see Jesus playing with that?”

Mindful of the importance of encouraging youngsters to use their minds as a gateway to opening their hearts to the needs of others, Garro then gently nudges: “Let’s take a moment to think about this. Imagine giving Jesus something HE wants – not something YOU want.”

Taking time to examine their consciences, Christmas tree light bulbs can almost be seen popping in the heads of members of the younger generation.

“Maybe Baby Jesus would like it if I tried to be nicer to my little sister,” piped up one tyke. “I think it might make Baby Jesus happy if I didn’t always wait until bedtime to pray to Him so he doesn’t get lonely during the daytime,” suggested another.

Variations on the theme ranged from picking up toys and making beds without being asked by a parent to offering to bring added holiday cheer to an elderly or disabled relative or neighbor.

Indeed once the presents to Baby Jesus portal opens, Garro is often awed by the ways children yearn to perform both corporal and spiritual works of mercy consistent with their age groups. “It’s inspiring to discover how much love is in their hearts. How much they long to find ways to grow closer to Jesus and to honor Him with presents they believe would please HIM on HIS birthday.”

Perhaps most inspiring about Garro as she joyfully goes about the business of preparing her newest evangelization adventure 5 Minutes with Jesus radio program that Alive Radio Network out of Cohoes, New York hosts Sunday through Thursday at 7:25 a.m. is how much research goes into her family-friendly grow your faith show.

“I love what St. Francis said about how it is in giving that we receive and, unbeknownst to my young students last December, I was at the receiving end of much comfort and joy from them as they shared their plans for making sure Baby Jesus came first as His birthday neared,” reflects Garro.

While some of her Liturgy of the Word teaching plans for the New Year remain under wraps due to ongoing COVID parental concerns, Garro -- who is also the author of several Christian books -- is determined to find ways to inspire her students to glorify God by making the best possible use of their talents.

“Several years ago, when Father Joseph C. Tizio, C.Ss.R., was Pastor at St. Clement’s, Our Parish Council had a poetry contest for an upcoming Taize Service in Our Lady’s Chapel that resulted in a booklet created by St. Clement's Regional Catholic School students in grades K-5 being published and sent to Pope Benedict,” recalls Garro.

Her inspiration for sending the booklet to The Vatican? “Imagine just for a moment being the Pope and the kinds of things he normally receives in the mail. The booklet he received from St. Clement’s contained a copy of every single poem that was entered in the contest. And judging from the thank you letter Garro subsequently received from Pope Benedict, the verses penned by some of St. Clement’s youngest parishioners made an indelible impression on the Pontiff’s heart. “The Pope received all the poems entered in the contest and responded with a letter that blessed both the students and me,” beams Garro.

Some St. Clement’s students were also featured in a volume of a four-part “Jesus Series” by Garro. All four titles received an Imprimatur and Nihil Obstat from the current Censor Librorum and Bishop of Albany, New York Diocese. “My third book in the Jesus Series (Living the Call of God) has stories from various St. Clement's parishioners ranging in age from their 90s down to fifth graders whose comments on how they live their calls of God are in a single chapter whereas the rest of the stories are spread throughout the 33 chapters of Parables,” explains Garro, who hopes to contribute to the building of children’s faith long into the future.

To learn more, visit http://www.barbaragarro.com/.