Christmas without Christ? A Public School Teacher's Dilemma

This is the time of year decorations start to take over our houses, lights are strung outside, Christmas music consumes much of the radio, and the excitement of the holidays is growing. For Christians this time means much more than what the secular world thinks of as "Christmas". Today in church marked the start of Advent, a time of expectant waiting and preparation of the celebration of Christ's birth. As the saying goes, "Jesus is the reason for the season" and though a bit cheesy, it captures what is true. God's gift of Jesus to His people is what this holiday season is all about.

So as I think about Christmas in this start of the Advent season I face a dilemma: how to prepare for Christmas in my classroom without Christ? Growing up in Christian schools, this is the first Christmas I will spend without the luxury of being able to share the true reason for my excitement this holiday season. My "advent" rather, is wrapped up in candy canes, stockings, reindeer, presents, and Santa Claus. Though all exciting Christmas memories--ones that I too share--I am saddened at the thought that I cannot openly share the joy of Christ's birth with my students.

Though a bit discouraged at this thought, I was encouraged by the message at church this morning. Our pastor talked about the work of Holy Spirit in Christians to spread the love of God. Quite often I neglect to ask the Holy Spirit to work in my life. So as I prepare for this advent season in my classroom I will instead look for ways to spread this joy and love in ways I am allowed and I pray the Holy Spirit will move in me as I "share" the true reason for the season!

Thankfulness

While on one of our daily walks at night, Jeff and I were talking about my very bad day at school. I have a student who has been a lot of trouble-running away, screaming, hitting, defiantly refusing to work, and making me go crazy! I was telling Jeff how this teaching job is NOT what I expected and how it's not really what I want to do. I was having a hard time dealing with some leadership issues this week and was complaining how "life is just not fair all the time". My wise husband countered my remark with, "What does a 'fair' life mean? Everyone faces issues throughout life that challenge them making life seem fair over time. Jeff continued on to remind me that if life ISN'T fair, then I probably got the better end of the stick. Very true. I was thankful for that reminder.

So for the remainder of the week I tried to focus on all the things that I have to be thankful for and here my top 10:

1. My wonderful husband who loves and cares for me--and makes me a better person.
2. My job-though difficult, I have grown through this experience and have many great stories to share with Jeff every night when I come home.
3. My students-they give me great joy in their learning.
4. My family-I've got two great families :)
5. Health and strength of myself and my loved ones.
6. A home to live in and food to eat.
7. Longtime friends-I've realized how important they are now that I am living in a new city and trying to make new ones.
8. Ability to use my mind and my gifts to serve God.
9. Excitement of the holidays-I love this time of year!
10. The promise of eternal life and the comfort that brings.

What are YOU thankful for?

Classroom: Before and After

I came into this room with nothing in it--barely any furniture and nothing but a Smartboard on the wall. Needless to say, LOTS of hours were spent working to make this room "kid friendly" and here is what I did!