Knightly News

There’s a little girl sitting in her family room at home. She smells the fresh evergreens. She sees the twinkling glow of lights on the Christmas tree and on houses in her neighborhood. She hears familiar hymns and songs of the season. Everywhere she goes, it seems that there’s a special feeling at this time of year. From her height, things look bigger and brighter. People seem happier, and the whole world seems to be full of joy and excitement. She is just a child, but a child of God, enjoying the magic of Christmas.

I love thinking back and remembering the wonder of Christmas as a little girl. My parents always had the house decorated with lots of poinsettias, snowmen, reindeer, Santas, and a Christmas tree. Decorating that tree was such a delight: unwrapping the ornaments and hanging them one by one with my family. Each one had a special story; they helped us remember special occasions, family trips, and special people in our lives. Even though I loved all of those things that made Christmas feel special as a child, and certainly loved the visit from Santa Claus, I began to understand that there was something even more special about Christmas, something magical that comes only from God. 

As a child, I often found myself staring at the nativity scene in our house at night. The set we had looked so realistic. The stable had real wood and hay, and the figures looked real. I wondered if I stared long enough if they would blink! I imagined how special that night must have been, when angels sang in the sky and shepherds came to see the newborn King. It was amazing to think that Jesus, the Son of God, came to Earth as a tiny baby just for us. We always kept the baby Jesus figure hidden until Christmas Day, and we loved taking time from opening presents to place him in the manger on Christmas morning. Now all grown up, I find myself keeping those same traditions alive for my own children. I pray that Christmas has that same sense of magic for them as it did for me, but moreso, I pray that they begin to understand that the Christmas magic truly comes from God.

At church, we’ll light the candles on the Advent wreath and sing hymns about hope, peace, joy, and love. I pray that people will feel hope for a new year filled with good things, joy in doing things for others at this time of year, and all-encompassing peace from God. I pray that everyone will feel loved when they spend time with family, friends, and loved ones. God loved us so much that he sent His only Son: the best gift we could ever receive. Jesus’ love can shine through in each of us, and we can bring that to others in our words and actions. Even though we’re all grown up now, we are still children of God, enjoying and now sharing the magic of Christmas. 

Jenny Heroman Koenig is a proud 2001 graduate of Episcopal School of Baton Rouge.  She returns to her alma mater as a Lower School Religion Teacher.  Jenny earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in mass communication with a minor in sociology from Louisiana State University.  She has eleven years of experience as a television journalist in Baton Rouge and Gonzales. Jenny always had a desire to teach and eventually followed that calling by earning a teacher certification from the Teach Ascension Academy Certification Program.  Jenny began her teaching career as a second grade teacher at Donaldsonville Primary School. Jenny is also active in the community as a member of the Louisiana Association of Educators, the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters, Baton Rouge Women in Media and the Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association.  She has received numerous honors including the 2014 Individual of the Year Award from the Ascension Chamber of Commerce and the opportunity to be the Honorary Ascension Parish President on “Jenny Heroman Day”. When she’s not teaching, Jenny enjoys theatre and music and is the lead singer of the Something Blue Band.

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