The Christmas Season

The Christmas Season is such an exciting and fun time for most students but it can be a difficult and sad season for some. At school, more conflicts erupt during December, especially as Christmas and the vacation draw near. Although many families receive loving help from others, there are always other children and families who may lack both physical and spiritual assets but would never ask for help or reveal their situation to others.

Be attentive to your children’s friends and their words and actions. Do they seem unusually quiet and withdrawn or boisterous and loud? How do they respond when others ask them what they want or what their family does for Christmas? An extreme answer or no answer at all may signal a particular need during this season. Some will need physical help, such as basic needs of clothing and food. Others will need spiritual help such as an arm around the shoulders, spending time, listening, etc.

One Christmas teachers at school decided to join together to provide the Twelve Days of Christmas for a colleague and her family. On the 12th day, each teacher was to provide a couple of food items for this family. I had forgotten until another teacher appeared at my doorstep to collect my goodies. I randomly threw in some items I had already purchased and made: chips and salsa, cheese and crackers, Christmas candy and cookies.

After Christmas, this colleague shared her experience of being the recipient with me. She was feeling sorry for herself and decided that she would go to the grocery store and use her credit card to buy fun and festive food they couldn’t afford but she wanted. She purchased the food and went home to find a basket of food filled with exactly the same items she had just bought. She realized that the Lord was mindful of her and she needed to trust in him. I learned that sometimes simply being willing to be an instrument will put you in a place to serve and He will guide your mind and hands.

Be willing to serve and the Lord will guide your mind and hands as you observe and hear the things your child’s friends do and say. A loaf of bread, an invitation to a family event or following other inspiration will bless the lives of all.

Great Gifts for Teachers

Teachers appreciate gifts from students and their parents and the Christmas season is a great time to express appreciation; but honestly, teachers have plenty of teacher mugs and apple ornaments. What gifts would earn an A+ from your teacher?

Belinda’s Top Ten

#10-Gift certificates for dinner, the movies, or the local office supply store. (Teachers love office supply stores!)

#9- Favorite bag of treats for the treat jar.

#8-Hand sanitizer (in gallon bottles!)

#7-Breakfast or lunch kits. (i.e. granola bars and juice boxes, instant soup and crackers)

#6-A donation of a book to either the teacher’s classroom library or the school library.

#5-A package of sharpened pencils, fun-colored pens, sticky notes and stickers.

#4-Coupons for correcting papers, putting up a bulletin board or helping in the classroom.

#3-A note of appreciation from parents.

#2-A note of appreciation from students, especially ones that express the specific things that this teacher does to help you. (I have a file of every letter a student has ever given me-they are priceless!)

#1-Homework turned in and on time. What every teacher dreams of! (parents too!)

Christmas break is a good time to catch your breath and catch up. After the holiday recess, students head into the longest and hardest time of the year. From January to April, there are few breaks and the most challenging curriculum is presented at this time. Use the holiday to complete missing assignments, read an extra book for book reports or one assigned for next term, get started on the science fair project…you get the idea.

Merry Christmas. May your Christmas be full of fun with family, service to others and joy in our Savior and his perfect life, love and gift.