The task, however, seems to become more difficult each year due to not only the quantity of entries, but the quality of colour drawings submitted by schoolchildren aged from 6 to 14. This year was no different as the entries poured in during the days, and hours, before the deadline.

The winner in our Grade 1-3 category is Maria Victoria Simoes, an eight-year-old Grade 3 student from Toronto. The judges were impressed by her colourful rendition of the nativity comprising a beaming Mary and Joseph, joined by the magi, around the crib of the Baby Jesus.

In the Grade 4 to 6 category, Jasmeen Arcentales is the winner for an exquisite portrait of the Holy Family and the three wise men in the manger, backed by a brilliant night sky over Bethlehem. The 11-year-old, Grade 6 student from Toronto, impressed the judges with her detailed lines and bold use of colour in capturing the wonder of the first Christmas morning.

In the Grade 7 to 8 category, Mariana Gillies, 13, is the winner for an elegant drawing of the manger scene, with Mary and Joseph next to their radiant child. The Grade 8 Toronto student impressed the judges with her use of pastels to capture the serenity and peace of the first Christmas morning.

Each of the winners will receive a prize of a $50 day at the movies.

See below for galleries of this year's winners and runner-ups:

Grades 1-3

Grades 4-6

Grades 7-8