Miracles

So our school had an opportunity to help some kids get some free shoes from a famous shoe store.  Each teacher selected a student, I was able to give two out.  The first student, I surprised told me that his mother and him were going to shop for shoes that night.  I told him he didn't have to worry anymore and they could use the money another way.  There was the biggest smile on his face.
The second student I selected was in my last class.  He had already heard about it, so when I gave him the red ticket.  He jumped around, said a few exciting choice words and was in utter shock.  They both made my day.   

Baby Jesus

So I decided to have some of my classes read the classic "Best Christmas Pageant Ever" by Barbara Robinson.  Since my classes are very diverse in holiday traditions, my theme/focus for the book has been stereotyping.  We have made it to Chapter 2 and I realize many of my students needed a quick review of the Christmas story.  Hello-the book you need to understand the lingo for the pageant (like inn, manger, shepherds, wise men, etc....)  So we began our discussion about why we celebrate Christmas. Some of them knew it was about baby Jesus's birth.  In order to keep their attention and not be preachy, I had to run the story of Jesus's birth in a ghetto way. 

Mary was pregnant and Joseph's was the stepfather (some wanted to know if Jesus like his stepfather or Joseph was mean to his stepson).  We talked about having to move.  We didn't get to fly a plane, but ride a donkey while being 9 months pregnant.  Then, there were no motels or hotels (inns) available, so they had to stay in a farm/barn (manger).  Explaining shepherds was fun.  Why would people watch sheep?  Who cares?  Good thing my grandfather was a shepherd during his teen years in southern Utah.  They all remember the wise men part of the story, because they brought gifts.  What is frankincense and murr (sp.)?  Then, how does Santa Claus fit into the picture, why do we give gifts, what if you don't believe in Jesus do you celebrate Christmas? What about Christmas trees?  What they didn't have Black Friday? 

Changing people

I find it fascinating that we still try to change people, when we know that we can't force anyone to change.  We don't have control over others, we only have control over our reactions and actions.  We spend too much time trying to tell someone how they need to change, when it is easier to accept that person for who they are and change how we react to them.