Community Commentary:

Those convinced that American culture is obsessed with celebrity have been given plenty of support in recent months.

Shameless publicity stunts, conspicuous party crashing, questionable family planning, and other attempts at warrantless fame have been top stories, when not superseded by the latest celebrity gossip. In the past, such actions would have been embarrassments, but now they are seen as the ticket to the next reality show.

So it’s refreshing for me to see that, right here at home, many of our children are still grounded in a different reality, one that seeks to provide comfort and hope to others who are in need.

This month, students at Mariners Christian School, a Blue Ribbon school serving about 630 students, in partnership with churches and Christian schools from across the country, participated in Operation Christmas Child (sponsored by Samaritan’s Purse).

Our students filled hundreds of shoe boxes with toys and other personal items to be given as Christmas gifts to children in impoverished countries. This is an anonymous effort on the part of our students, and they will never have first-hand knowledge of the recipient of their gifts.

Still, the spirit and enthusiasm exhibited by children engaged in this effort is heartwarming and encouraging. It also demonstrates the teachings of Christ and the true spirit of Christmas.

I have had many reminders of that true spirit recently.

Just last month, our school hosted Walter Ehlers, one of the last surviving World War II Medal of Honor recipients, along with more than 100 other veterans and their families. While Ehlers’ military achievements are compelling, I was also struck by what he and so many other veterans did after 1945.

Instead of seeking to capitalize on this experience for solely personal gain, they returned to build up the country that is still the leader of the free world.

This service to others is, in its own way, as heroic an effort as actions displayed on the battlefield.

And, while some days it feels like much of this spirit of community and commitment to a greater good has been lost, it’s the efforts of our school children in things like Operation Christmas Child that restores my faith in our good nature.

Returning to the topic of fame, take a moment to think about the life of Jesus.

I believe it is impossible to name a single figure with a greater impact on world history and culture, yet Christ’s methods and teachings have nothing in common with the shallow celebrity seekers of today.

In addition, 11 of his immediate followers were put to death while thousands of his 1st-century followers were executed or faced other significant persecution.

Despite these circumstances, nations will celebrate his birth again this year, and, 2,000 years later, more than 2 billion people identify with him.

This type of fame is rooted in a fundamental level that cannot be approached by the superficial, regardless of how many White House galas one attends. Merry Christmas.

TODD PERKINS is interim head of Mariners Christian School in Costa Mesa.

TODD PERKINS is interim head of Mariners Christian School in Costa Mesa.