THE THEME FOR THIS YEAR’S CREATIVE FESTIVALS
THE BIBLE FILLS US WITH ETERNAL JOY
The Bible is a scented garden, delightful, beautiful, it enchants our ears with birdsong in a sweet, divine, and spiritual harmony, it touches our heart, comforts us in sorrow, soothes us in a moment of anger, and
fills us with eternal joy.
--- Saint John of Damascus
This year’s theme gives our young people an opportunity to be introduced to the Bible as a source of strength, wisdom and inspiration. The Bible, written to and for kids, inspired by God, is something like a guide book from God on how to live life. Whenever we read the Gospel, Christ is speaking to us, and, while we read, we are talking to Him.
The goal is to have the children. . .
. . . realize the verses within the Bible are like flowers in a garden. Just as flowers bring us comfort or joy, so do the words of the Bible. Each brings us something unique to our lives.
. . . understand the Bible contains answers to all of our questions and gives us comfort for whatever hurts us. If we are angry, there are words to guide us towards peace; if we sorrow there are words to comfort us. God has anticipated our needs if we only seek them out-
All in ONE WORD called the Bible!
. . . know Eternal joy is nothing less than being in communion with God and being with him eternally. When we participate in Liturgy and read the Bible, we find our comfort our peace, our eternal joy because it is here where God saves us and tells us how to be His children.
The Bible is God giving us a second chance at life.
The life He wants to live is the life imitating His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ