Much like the tale, ‘The Night Before Christmas’, the halls of Hobbs Schools are quiet, not a creature is stirring. The Fall Semester has come to a close with flurry of celebrations, programs, performances, special events and gatherings on all campuses. Students showcasing their efforts in holiday villages, crafts and performances. During the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas, traditionally our campuses take on a different feel. Some in the anticipation of the events to come, and others in the heartfelt joy of giving blessings to others and even those who reflect on the special holidays they have had with loved ones throughout the years. We all have varied feelings throughout this time of year for many reasons. I personally love to experience the celebrations, programs, performances, special events, snow villages and crafts through watching the expressions on the faces of our students and their passion to express themselves and bringing joy to others through their efforts. The excitement on their faces is an outward sign of the joy abounding within each of them. The other benefit of being present for the various events are to look at the happiness and pride welling up in the parents, guardians, grandparents, friends and family in support of those performing. It brings satisfaction to me knowing that each of them is being blessed by their loved one in those moments.
Among the many events across our district this season, one in particular struck a chord with me. The Hobbs High School Choirs performed the Peace for the Holidays program. The choirs singing allows those participating to allow the voices to wash over and experience the words of the song in a new and fresh way. One song in particular is titled, ‘In Meeting We Are Blessed’. Arranged by Tory D. Robertson for the Nairobi Chamber Chorus and the Festival Singers of Florida and performed by the A Capella choir. Under the direction of first time Hobbs Choir Director Cameron Colson, the choir did a masterful job of speaking to me in that moment. The lyrics of the song are “We are met together and we are blessed, peace in coming and in going, peace in labor and in rest”. While the busyness of this time of year can take a toll on all of us, it reminded me to slow down for a minute and regard the countless blessings each of us have, and in coming together we are blessed in even greater ways. Whether that coming together is in coming, going, laboring or resting, we are blessed by those around us and their unique giftedness in that specific place and time. Thank you, Hobbs High Choirs, for sharing your giftedness with our community that evening.
Additionally, I am reminded of the tremendous kindness I have seen all over our community. Whether that is in groups gifting bikes to kids, filling the Salvation Army kettle for those in need, donating items for homeless members of our community, shopping for those special tots and angels in our community, to singing carols and visiting those unable to move about as freely as others and so many other ways most of which go unnoticed. Kindness is all around. All we typically have to do is open our hearts and eyes to feel and see it. When we do that, we truly can begin to bless those who we come in contact with.
As this season marches on, may we all find those peaceful, still and calm moments to reflect on the blessings we have as a community and identify those areas where we are called to bless others.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us at Hobbs Municipal Schools!
Gene Strickland
Superintendednt
Hobbs Municipal Schools