Dr. Palmer's Update: December 2012
It’s Christmas Sing time. During the first three weekends of December, more than 50 Christmas Sings are held by Principia Clubs from coast to coast. I hope you have already attended one of these events or have it scheduled on your calendar. If not, check out the list of Christmas Sings and join in for some holiday cheer and camaraderie.
This year I have the privilege of attending four Sings. Last weekend, I joined a festive crowd in Phoenix. It was terrific to meet many prospective students we hope to see at the School or College in the future. And I enjoyed reconnecting with my own College classmates who hosted the event at their home, a Principian who attended with my dad, and others who graduated with my daughter. This multi-generational mix offers an inspiring, uplifting way to share in the spirit of the Christmas season. I look forward to being with two different Principia Clubs in Chicago this weekend and then joining the fun in Seattle on December 16.
Back here at Principia, students at all levels are sharing their Christmas spirit. College students decorated Christmas trees in each house the Sunday following Thanksgiving. With the semester system, we now benefit from having students on campus into December, and they are having fun “decking the halls” of all the houses across campus.
Last Saturday, the College orchestra and choir gave the community a Christmas gift through an uplifting performance that included selections from Handel's Messiah. The Upper School Christmas concert takes place this Sunday afternoon. And next Thursday brings Early Childhood’s crowd-pleasing Sugar Plum event in the morning and the Lower and Middle School Christmas Sharing in the evening.
It’s always delightful to witness these events and hear the students blending their voices in song and gratitude. In line with this year’s Principia-wide metaphysical theme, there’s no doubt that our students are “delight[ing] in the law of God” (Romans 7:22) as they share their considerable talents through these inspiring performances.
If you find yourself stumped regarding Christmas presents for any Principians on your gift list, consider signing them up for a Principia Lifelong Learning online enrichment course in 2013. January course offerings include a poetry class, another on Abraham Lincoln, and a Bible series course on the Old Testament prophets. Registration is available now.
If your Christmas gift list includes adventurous types who are ready to learn on location, consider sending them on a Principia Lifelong Learning trip. Starting in spring 2013, we have some tantalizing learning opportunities. An alumni cruise through Holland and Belgium in April includes the opportunity to see millions of flowering tulips. May offers the chance to travel through southwest France learning about French culture and history. June brings the Walking with Wordsworth trip, an active learning adventure uniting the famous hikes and literary giants of the Lake District of England. In December 2013, the Mekong River Cruise includes opportunities to enjoy Southeast Asian art and dance on a tour through Vietnam and Cambodia. Don’t miss your chance to wow the in-laws or others on your list with the gift of education and travel in one!
It’s been a terrific year at Principia, and we remain unfailingly grateful for your support of our educational programs for students ranging from infants to adult learners. Merry Christmas!