Lessons during Advent

   Advent is a season of preparing. It is a time of reflection; where we are spiritually and where we strive to be. It is a time to realign our lives to be better versions of ourselves, to redirect our energies to the world around us, sharing our time, our talents, and our funds, to serve. It is a time of getting ready.

At first glance, this looks pretty serious, and not all that much fun.

   Although this dignified season doesn't seem that it would elicit much joy, don't be deceived. Heartfelt and sincere acts of kindness and service often break out into bursts of joy. Joy that we wish to share with others around us. This joy often manifests in two ways; having parties and giving gifts.

   Interestingly enough, within our parish's religious education program, we are discouraged from both activities. You would think that as Christians we would be all about celebrating the season. Now don't get me wrong, I am pretty much in agreement with our religious ed director. The reasons given seem pretty valid. We share classroom space with the church school, so the classrooms are not our own. Various food allergies make snacks downright dangerous. To be honest, I would prefer to avoid having an emergency situation in my classroom or creating one for other students who need to use the desks and space. Shared space also makes it difficult to set up and arrange these celebrations. Finally, giving of gifts could make siblings not in the class upset.

While the reasons are valid, the logic seems to be flawed. 

 
    For starters, it is still Advent. My students are already confused when we sing The 12 Days of Christmas; they don't know when these 12 days take place. A party of games and fun snacks isn't going to help them learn what the season means to us as Catholics. Suggested giving projects for the class are much more effective and just as much fun. Yes, my class will play a game near the end of the session (we often do) to encourage merriment and bring joy to others. Guess what the theme will be this time...yep, about giving. Giving gifts of service as well as material goods. Giving our forgiveness to others and giving ourselves over to our God.

   While I am on the topic of gift giving, I think we struggle to much to make everything equal and fair. This is really a disservice to our children. Not all children will get gifts just because their siblings do. Just like some of them won't be invited to the same parties as their siblings. Disappointment is a natural part of learning. Without it, we lack the mechanisms that help us cope with the world in which we live. Believe me, I know first hand how hard it is for a little one to cope with disappointment, but I suggest that we not let that deter us from our inclination to give a child a gift to make them feel special and an important part of our community. Instead I suggest not giving a child a gift unless it encourages a sense of community, enabling the recipient to share and lets them know that they are a special part of the world.

   In the past my students have received (electric) candles to light the family dinner table, mini-games to play with family and friends, and small art projects that they can make into gifts for others. This year will be no different. My students are too special to me to pass an opportunity to remind them that they are cherished. Further, it will give them an important opportunity to reach out to their community in turn. Some of that community will include their siblings.

   So have a Wonderful Advent. But watch out, come January, we are going to have a party to celebrate that Christmas has finally arrived and what it truly means to us as Christians. (Sans food, of course!)