The Real Meaning Of Christmas - As Taught By A Six Year Old
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Lucas [our six year old son] came into my room this morning while I was ironing, with a ziploc bag with a bunch of loose change in it [mostly pennies]. He said, "Dad, we're collecting money for poor people." And a conversation that has rocked my world ensued...
Me: "Like for school?"
Lucas: "Yeah, school, door-to-door, whatever."
Me: "Is this a class project or something?"
Lucas: "No."
Me: "Is it through an organization?"
Lucas: "No, me and Jake [our four year old son] just decided to do it ourselves. we're calling it 'pennies for the poor.'"
Me: "Well, how did you come up with an idea like this? Why would you want to do this?"
Lucas: "I saw this bag sitting on my desk. It used to have candy in it. And I want to do something to help poor people. So, we decided to collect money for kids that are poor. You know, like you talked to us about."
Me: "Lucas, that is amazing. I am so proud of you guys [tears are now welling up in my eyes]."
Lucas: "Well, we're doing it for Jesus. Can you drive us to the arcade after school to collect money?"
Me: "Why the arcade?"
Lucas: "Because people are wasting their money on games when they could help poor people."
Thank God for my kids. I am proud of them for this on so many levels: generosity, initiative, listening, compassion, inventiveness, action, child-likeness, wisdom, etc.
Me: "Like for school?"
Lucas: "Yeah, school, door-to-door, whatever."
Me: "Is this a class project or something?"
Lucas: "No."
Me: "Is it through an organization?"
Lucas: "No, me and Jake [our four year old son] just decided to do it ourselves. we're calling it 'pennies for the poor.'"
Me: "Well, how did you come up with an idea like this? Why would you want to do this?"
Lucas: "I saw this bag sitting on my desk. It used to have candy in it. And I want to do something to help poor people. So, we decided to collect money for kids that are poor. You know, like you talked to us about."
Me: "Lucas, that is amazing. I am so proud of you guys [tears are now welling up in my eyes]."
Lucas: "Well, we're doing it for Jesus. Can you drive us to the arcade after school to collect money?"
Me: "Why the arcade?"
Lucas: "Because people are wasting their money on games when they could help poor people."
Thank God for my kids. I am proud of them for this on so many levels: generosity, initiative, listening, compassion, inventiveness, action, child-likeness, wisdom, etc.
"When Christians take the Christmas narrative seriously, the practice of gift-exchange within a closed circle of family and friends becomes problematic. If our lives are to mirror the ways of God, then we must break open the closed circle of exchange so that Christmas gifts flow outward to those with profound needs."
--- Miroslav Volf
Then these righteous ones will reply, "Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?'"
And the King will say, "I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!"
--- Jesus
9:32 AM
Scripture says "and a little child will lead them." Way to go Lucas and Jake. I hope they never lose their tender hearts and willing hands. I am sitting here with tears streaming down. I am such a proud auntie. Pam