A Christmas Countdown for Educators
Let the Countdown to Christmas begin . . .
The countdown to break has tendency to be a little crazy, especially for teachers! It's like who decided that learning was logical with this much sugar and anxious energy swirling around?!
Since this time of year is naturally nutty, here are 10 devotionals to walk with you straight to break! These devotionals are intended to leave you feeling filled up rather than depleted; to help you stay focused on Jesus instead of chaos. I pray you are reminded of your very unique and precious position as you extend the hands of Jesus.
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DAY ONE
The time between Thanksgiving & Christmas is such an anticipatory few weeks. It's like the air is filled with an extra dose of wonder & excitement. Most Wonderful Time of the Year . . . right? Unfortunately, for many it’s the exact opposite of that.
I am a total Christmas geek. I love it and everything about it. I am that annoying person that could listen to Christmas music beginning immediately after Halloween (and even at random times throughout the year when I just want to be happy), and I would be perfectly content leaving my Christmas decorations up for much longer than the month of December. Growing up in South Dakota, the majority of my Christmas’s were snow white, and my amazing mom created an environment for us that was simply magical. Johnny Mathis was always on in the background, and my sister and I were constantly doing little Christmas activities to add to the fun. It was like 80’s Pinterest up in my house, and my sister and I loved every stinking minute of it.
Enter my husband. . . John grew up very different from me. He didn’t have many traditions or white Christmases, he didn’t have wonderful holiday music infiltrating his home when he got home from school. In fact, he didn’t have much of anything when he got home from school. John’s childhood wasn’t overflowing with merry memories and traditions or really anything that made this time of year magical. You could suffice to say that December and Christmas were really more a time of stress than anything else.
Rather than lamenting in the “giving season”, John was either empty-handed, or receiving from a local church or food bank. At school, when other kids were talking about what they wanted for Christmas or what Santa might bring them, it was all he could do to fake a story knowing full well there likely wouldn’t be a Santa or gifts. Christmas was hardly a time of joy for him, and as he got older and had kids of his own, that sentiment was only compounded by adult stress and guilt.
When I met John I could not understand why he didn’t get that childhood, giddy feeling when the holidays came around. It wasn’t until a few years in that I really started to understand the deep grief that came along with this time of year for him.
A few years ago, while decorating our tree, our girls were laughing and reminiscing about each silly ornament and jumping with excitement as we carried out our yearly tradition. While I was jumping in on the nostalgia and sharing stories from my childhood, Kate asked John what his family did for their Christmas tree traditions. My heart about broke (even after 18 years together) when he told her that all his memories started when he met me.
I pictured an elementary aged John, going through this season without the excitement and anticipation that I more than often took for granted. I imagined him coming out of his room on Christmas morning, only to plop on his couch and flip on the tv. Just another day. A lump formed in my throat when I thought about the loneliness and feelings of sadness that this sweet boy must have gone through during this time of year . . . Every. Single. Year.
The reality is, there are Johns among us. Kids without stable homes, without safety and security in their lives, going home to empty houses where no one cares. . . they are walking through life sad and literally dreading this time of year.
As we walk out the days until the break, I would encourage you to seek out the Johns. While you can’t take them home and change all their circumstances, you can be a conduit of hope. John was at times naughty and dirty and challenging simply because he had very little nurturing or direction at home. I know many of you have kiddos like this in your classes, and they most likely push you to the very limit. But, there’s a good chance you might be the only love that kiddo receives. You might very well be the only piece of Christmas cheer they experience this year.
Make the most of these days. Don’t let the rush to get it all done cause you to miss opportunities to engage in something far more important than teaching, tests, and to-dos. Pay attention to the people in your midst - in and out of the classroom. Enjoy your families, live in the moments, and be so full of gratitude that you get the opportunity to live out traditions and family and the hope of the season. Marinate on all that this life-changing holiday means, and remember that you are in a unique position to impact a little John.
Merry Christmas, Sweet Teacher
Dear God, as we head into our Christmas break, we ask for you to guide our hearts, our eyes, and our words. Lead us to those that need an extra dose of your love & allow us to be a Light in their lives. Grant us wisdom & words that we may guide them straight to your loving arms. Open our eyes to the areas we can let go in order to make space for you this holiday season. In your precious Son's Name we pray . . . Amen.
FREE RESOURCE!
HOLIDAY EDITION: FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT PRAYER CARDS
These Holiday Fruits of the Spirit Prayer Cards are an excellent tool to help you make space for intentional prayer time. Head to The Educators Mercantile and download your free copy today!
