Christmas Traditions Abound At Mayfield Junior School In Pasadena

PASADENA, CA – This year's Christmas and Advent season at Mayfield Junior School in Pasadena held many wonderful traditions and opportunities for giving and sharing including an Advent-wreath lighting, an adopt-a-family, special luncheon and a live Nativity and concert.

"As a School of the Holy Child, this is an important time to prepare, reflect and celebrate gifts and blessings," school officials said.

Advent opened earlier this month with the annual prayer service as students learned of the lighting symbolism of the Advent wreath.

And continuing for nearly 18 years, Mayfield families, led by the the school's eighth graders, participated in the Christmas adopt-a-family project providing wish-list gifts for women and children at the Good Shepherd Shelter in Los Angeles. The gift boxes were blessed at the annual Mothers’ Christmas Luncheon, another tradition where eighth graders join their moms at the event and seventh graders assist in serving.

A live Nativity portrayed by second graders and musical performances completed the celebration.

"What was started over 30 years ago as a fun sculpture project for sixth graders to gain experience with balance, proportion and design, is now a middle-school rite of passage and a shared experience for hundreds of Mayfield graduates," the school said. "Not only do students look forward to making them but parents save them as keepsakes for use year after year as part of their holiday home décor.

"Many are in need of a few minor repairs so a new tradition was started: The Parents of Alumni Elf Workshop. Art teacher Penny Wong opens her classroom to parents of alumni and while the elves undergo repair, everyone enjoys the fellowship and festive spirit.

And at Mayfield, it would not be Christmas without the annual Kindergarten Nativity play -- a tradition for the past 80 years, according to school officials.

"This retelling of the Christmas story by the youngest members of the school community has provided countless memorable moments and can easily spark flashbacks for the many alumni who once took the stage as angel, shepherd or king," Mayfield organizers said.

First- and second-graders performed followed by a tree lighting, with another concert featuring students in grades 3-8 held at the St. Andrew Church, school officials said adding, "Additional events included an enthusiastic Las Posadas as third graders journey through the campus in costume as Mary and Joseph in search of shelter, seventh graders (sharing) a holiday celebration with residents of the Monte Vista Grove Retirement Community and a Christmas prayer service (with) an inspirational speaker and a lovely performance by third grade Sacred Dancers."

Founded in 1931 by the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, Mayfield Junior School is a Catholic, independent school serving kindergarten to eighth-grade boys and girls and is adjacent to historic Old Pasadena. See more on the school here.

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--Images courtesy of Mayfield Junior School