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Bishop Robert Gruss and Santa delivered a Christmas message, and some gifts, to students involved in Special Religious Education for Developmentally Disabled (SPRED). Bishop Gruss celebrated Mass at St. Dominic Parish, Ss. Peter and Paul Church, in Saginaw.
In his homily, Bishop Gruss shared a touching story about a little boy who chose to give his only toy to the baby Jesus, placing a train engine lovingly in the holy child's outstretched arms in the manger.
"Imagine the feeling of this little boy: the delight of giving away that new Christmas toy to the child Jesus. That little boy was a giving of a part of himself. It was living this inner desire to give," Bishop Gruss said.
Our God, too, desires to give.
“The real meaning of Christmas is about a God who so loved the world that he sent his Son to share his love in such a way that we might be saved,” Bishop Gruss said.
Following Mass and a student performance of “Away in the Manger,” Santa himself arrived to greet the students and give gifts and candy to all with the help of Bishop Gruss.
“I think Santa represents all that’s good,” said Terri Grierson, former Director of Christian Service for the Diocese, whose husband Chris portrayed Santa. “He represents love and kindness and compassion and mercy. Those are all Christian values. It’s not hard to make the connection between Jesus and Santa.”
Chris, who began attending the annual SPRED Christmas party as Santa three years ago, said he enjoys being able to provide the experience for both the students and their families.
“These kids are just wonderful. They love Santa; they hug him,” he said. “It just confirmed everything I thought I knew: the kids are angels; their parents are phenomenal. It confirms my belief in people.”
The students’ excitement over the event was clear, as they sang and prayed through Mass, clapped their hands and hugged Santa.
David Kocks, a member of Christ the Good Shepherd Parish, said he had fun and that Santa was his favorite part, though his sister Carol Kocks is quick to add that he enjoyed every aspect of the event.
“He likes going to church. He likes to sing,” she said.
Carol said David has been participating in SPRED for more than 20 years, and has received his First Holy Communion and Confirmation through the program’s faith formation. SPRED has helped him to enjoy church and make friends, she said.
“It’s one of the places he can go where he knows everybody,” Carol said.
With SPRED, faith is always at the center, and the Christmas celebration was no different.
“It’s really cool that they do the Mass first, because the religious connection to Christmas is foremost,” Chris said.
But to the Griersons, Christmas, Santa, gifts and the story from Bishop Gruss' homily all have one thing in common: a spirit of giving. And that can only come from one thing.
“It’s the unconditional love,” Terri said. “It’s all about love.”
See a List of Christmas Mass Times from Area Parishes