By Bindu George for BISMumbai

Don Bosco Lonavla came alive with festive cheer as it celebrated Christmas on 23 December 2025, just before the school closed for the Christmas vacation. The celebrations blended creativity, reflection and community spirit, drawing the entire school community into the warmth and meaning of the season.

The festive preparations began a day earlier, on 22 December, when students from Grades V to XII transformed their classrooms into vibrant spaces of colour and imagination. Each class was given one and a half hours after lunch for decoration. Much of the preparation had been done at home, with students bringing handcrafted materials, stars, charts and cribs. The enthusiasm and teamwork were clearly visible, and by the end of the session, the classrooms reflected both creativity and care.

The decorated classrooms were judged on 23 December by Cl. Presley Andrade and Cl. Melton Suares. Grade VII was declared the winner for its creativity and presentation.

Parallel to these visual expressions, preparations for the Christmas tableau had begun on 1 December. The programme on the day of celebration opened with a quiet prayer service explaining the significance of the season and inviting personal reflection. This was followed by a brief reflection and the Prayer for World Peace, during which students offered intentions centred on peace, hope and compassion.

A Nativity presentation followed, holding the attention of the audience. Guided by the teachers-in-charge, the students enacted their roles with confidence and clarity, making the message of Christmas easy to follow and deeply engaging. This was followed by Christmas carol singing by the students of Grade XII. The backdrop carried the message: “Gift this Christmas – Peace, Joy, Hope & Love.”

Addressing the gathering, the Rector of the institution, Fr Blany Pinto, spoke on the deeper meaning of joy during the festive season. He distinguished pleasure from joy, explaining that pleasure is temporary, while joy grows through generosity, kindness and service to others. He reminded the students that true giving at Christmas involves time, care and concern for those around us. He concluded with a thought that resonated with many: “Pleasure excites our senses, but joy touches our heart.”

The programme concluded with carol singing and the exchange of Christmas and New Year greetings. The celebrations were organised by the teachers Asgari Sayyed, Aruna Chatterjee, Vrushali Jadhav and Bindu George. Together, the events offered students a meaningful pause, blending creativity, music and reflection, and gently preparing the campus for the holidays ahead.