The Nativity Story and Vampires?

Over the last 13 weeks our students at Step Up (Mika’s afterschool program) have been learning to “listen with their hearts” during our devotion time.  We have spent time teaching them some ancient Christian practices such as Lectio Divina, contemplative prayer and the Examen.  The younger ones are not so great at being quiet or still – major components in these traditions, but they’re practicing…

During the last four weeks we have been preparing our hearts for Christmas and doing a series for Advent.  We have been on an imaginary journey to Bethlehem to see the Messiah.  At first we did not know the way and encountered different people to help us reach our destination.  The first week we met the Prophets and the second week Mary and Joseph reminded us to “not be afraid”.  Week three we met the Shepherds who shared their great joy of the Good News of the birth of Jesus and week four the Wise Men told of the precious gifts they brought to the newborn King.

As part of our Lectio Divina practice, the students listen to the scripture and then sit in silence to see what they hear with their hearts.  What word stands out?  What phrase?  What image do they get?  When they slowly open their eyes, they are encouraged to share with the others.  It is unbelievable to hear what they come up with at each session.  The Holy Spirit impresses amazing truths to these tiny, innocent hearts.  They are unedited and open and excited to share what they hear from God.

I gave the lesson at both of our sites on Thursday and during my time with the kindergarten, first and second graders at the Hope Center I had asked the question I always ask when they open their eyes.  “What did you hear with your heart?”  Carlos raised his hand to share.  “Frankenstein.”  I tilted my head a little and repeated it – just to be sure.  “Frankenstein?”  He nodded.  “Yes.  Frankenstein.”  Hmmmm???  I had heard some odd things over these last thirteen weeks but not close to this.  I looked down at the scripture I had read, hoping for a clue.  Ahhhh – there it was.  “…gold, frankincense and myrrh…” – got it!  I explained what it was (without laughing)…after all, he had heard it with his heart!

An hour later I did the same lesson at the Maple Learning Center.  This time when I asked the question, “What did you hear with your heart?” I received another surprise.  Eduardo raised his hand and said, “Vampire.”  What?  Vampire?  First Frankenstein and now vampire?  Once again, I scanned the scripture and their it was – “…a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire…”  I smiled and told the students a very basic version of the political, economic, military and cultural influence on a region (history, right?) and closed in prayer.

Later that night, I smiled when I thought about how Carlos and Eduardo had actively chosen to open up and hear from God while they listened to His word.  It was precious to see these young boys confident in what they heard with their hearts.  Ok, so they needed a little explanation.  Don’t we all?  I am grateful they are in a place where they feel safe enough to share and explore what they are practicing.  For all they knew, there were monsters and vampires in the story of Christmas!  I was happy to set it straight and clear up any blurry areas but it did get me thinking.  Where do I need clarification in my study of God’s word?  Who can I go to get the right explanation?  Can I be open like Carlos and Eduardo and just be honest with where I’m at right now or do I pretend I know more than I do?  Over this Christmas break, I’m going to spend some time being quiet and listening to my own heart and hearing what it says.  Who knows?  Maybe it will be even better than “Frankenstein” or “vampire” in the Nativity Story.

by Caryn Kallal

Mika CDC
Kingdom Causes

LifeLine Christmas Story 2009

Once upon a time, (actually late last week, or the week before, it doesn’t matter, it’s just a story) a little non-profit sat forlornly on the curb with its chin in its hands. It was Christmastime, and the little non-profit didn’t have any Christmas programs to offer.

All the other non-profits had their Christmas coat drives and dinners planned. They had shelters open and parties booked. They had fund drives and toy drives and Christmas concerts galore. But the little non-profit had none of these, and was feeling self-conscious.

“If I were a real non-profit, I’d have programs,” it moped.

But then a man shuffled by in a worn-out coat. “Do you have a coat drive, because as you see, mine is worn clear through?”
“No,” said the little non-profit, “I don’t have a coat drive. I’m sorry. All I have is this big bus full of clothes, but for that you need to give something back.”

“Like what?” questioned the man suspiciously.

“Well, what can you do? Do you have a skill or talent to give? After all, everyone has a need, and everyone has a gift.”

“I used to lay carpet,” said the man, “But I haven’t had work these last few months.”

“That will do nicely,” said the little non-profit, and they got up to go look in the big bus for a coat.  On the way there they met a woman with two little children. “Do you have a food drive? My children are hungry and the month is not yet half over.”

“No,” said the little non-profit, “I don’t have a food drive. I’m sorry. All I have is an emergency food pantry, but for that you need to give something back.”

“What do you mean?” asked the woman.

“Can you mend clothes?” asked the carpet layer in the worn out coat.

“Look at my children. Of course I can mend clothes,” replied the woman. Her children’s clothes seemed fine, but if you looked closely you could find here a patch or there a mended tear. But you had to look very closely indeed.

“Then come with us to the big bus,” said the little non-profit. “We have lots of donated clothes that need a little mending to make them good again. After all, everyone has a need, and everyone has a gift.”

Just as they all turned the corner, the little non-profit, the carpet layer, the seamstress and her children nearly collided with a young man on a skateboard.

“Do you have a Christmas concert I can go to? Something with Screamo?”

“No,” said the little non-profit, becoming a little more self-conscious with all these people in tow. “I don’t have a concert. All I have is a Community Center. The neighborhood children are out of school and need someone to spend time with them. Can you teach them anything? After all, everyone has a need, and everyone has a gift.”

“I can show them how to flip a skateboard,” offered the young man.  So after they had visited the big bus and picked out a warm coat for the carpet layer and taken a bag of mending for the seamstress, they all went by the Community Center. The food pantry was there, and the children were all lined up on a big roll of used carpet, eating a snack. The snack was made by a retired school teacher who gave four hours a week at the center. She also gave money that bought the snacks, and heated the building, and helped pay the staff. Of course only the little non-profit knew about that part. The children all took keen interest in the skateboard, and the carpet layer looked at the big roll of carpet and the bare concrete floor, and smiled a big smile.

And the little non-profit didn’t have time to worry about not having a concert or a coat drive or a Christmas program. There was too much going on in the community. “After all, everyone has a need, and everyone has a gift. That is why we build community.”

James Grasley