A call for parental guidance

As the season of Advent unfolds, Deborah de Rosia ‘Sister Debbie’—educator, Eternal Light Community leader, and advocate for the underprivileged—invites parents to embrace their critical role as spiritual guides in the lives of their children.

In an interview on Altos, she reflected on the importance of fostering hope, gratitude, and joy during this special time. Her wisdom serves as a reminder of the sacred responsibility parents have to instil these values in their children, not just during the holiday season but throughout the year.

“Advent is about hope,” de Rosia said. “It’s a time of longing and great expectation. Parents need to hear the voice of the prophet Isaiah, who says, ‘Comfort my people.’ This call reminds us to bring hope to our children, especially in times when the world feels disoriented and dismal.”

Advent is a season of preparation, not only for Christmas but for a deeper renewal of faith in God’s promises. Parents, she believes, are the primary agents of this preparation, as they create opportunities for their children to understand the spiritual significance of the season and make it a part of daily family life.

The power of simple gestures

de Rosia underscored that even small gestures can significantly influence a child’s emotional and spiritual growth during Advent. Something as simple as smiling, she explained, can become a profound expression of hope.

“A smile says, ‘It’s okay. We can go on,’” she shared. “It assures children that God holds our hand through all difficulties and will bring us through.”

In an age where anxiety and uncertainty often overshadow joy, the act of smiling can be a reassuring reminder to children that they are loved, protected, and cared for—both by their parents and by God.

She pointed out that while the streets and malls bustle with activity during the season, many people lack visible joy. “Walking through Port of Spain now, you’ll see a lot of people who aren’t smiling,” she noted. Parents, she suggested, can counteract this disheartening trend by bringing positivity into their family environments.

Additionally, Sister Debbie encouraged parents to speak openly about the reasons for their joy. “Speech is important,” she emphasised, reminding parents that the story of Advent and Christmas is one of restored hope.

Referencing the prophet Isaiah, she added, “Cry out in this time! Speak so that people know the reason why we give gifts and celebrate—because hope has been restored. A Saviour was born.”

Restoring gratitude and the meaning of gift-giving

As the materialistic focus of Christmas continues to grow, Sister Debbie acknowledged the challenges parents face in teaching their children the true meaning of giving and receiving. She urged parents to shift their children’s mindset from entitlement to gratitude.

“Children are often in malls pointing out the things they want,” she observed. “Parents can let their children know that all gifts, even the ones they purchase, are ultimately gifts from God. This teaches them to have a heart that is grateful to the God who saves them.”

She encouraged parents to use everyday moments—whether shopping, sharing meals, or engaging in conversations—to point back to the divine origins of all blessings.

“The greatest gift is Jesus Christ,” she said. “Not the ones we unwrap, tear the paper from, and roll around with, but the one who came as a baby in swaddling clothes to bring eternal life.”

Year-round nurturing of values

While Christmas offers a unique opportunity to focus on these lessons, Sister Debbie warned against limiting this nurturing process to the holiday season. “It’s not a Christmas thing,” she said firmly. “It’s a year-round nurturing process.”

She said parents should use other occasions—such as birthdays, Mother’s Day, or Father’s Day—to remind children of God’s generosity and love. “God gives, and God will always give. That’s why God will not disappoint us, even in times of hopelessness and disorientation,” she said.

This ongoing nurturing, she noted, aligns with the Catholic teaching that parents are the first teachers of their children. “At Baptism, parents are told, ‘You are the first teachers of your children.’ Teaching doesn’t occur at specific times—it’s lifelong learning and lifelong teaching,” Sister Debbie explained.

This means that parents are called to create a home environment where faith, gratitude, and hope are woven into the fabric of daily life. Whether through prayer, family meals, or casual conversations, these small, consistent acts of teaching can have a transformative impact on children’s spiritual and emotional growth.

A call to action

As Advent progresses, Sister Debbie’s words serve as a call to action for parents everywhere. The season is not just a time of festive celebration but an opportunity to rekindle the virtues of hope, gratitude, and joy in their children’s hearts.

“Let us use every opportunity we have in our everyday life to bring Christ Jesus into our conversations,” she urged. By doing so, parents can guide their children to understand the deeper meaning of Advent and Christmas—not as times of material indulgence, but as sacred celebrations of God’s love and generosity.

The responsibility is great, but so is the reward. By embracing this role, parents can help their children grow into individuals who carry the light of Christ into the world, not just during Advent and Christmas but throughout their lives.

Assisted generation using ChatGPT.ai