Merry Christmas

This is a repeat from last year, but worth sharing again.

 

The card that keeps me remembering

Six years ago, a little boy in my first kindergarten class gave me a Christmas card.  His name was Jonathan and he was equally bright and affectionate.  Often he said unexpected things that kept me smiling.  When he gave me his Christmas card he said, "Miss MACdonal"  then he leaned in and whispered in my ear, "I signed it in pencil so you can erase it and give it to someone else."   Clearly he perfected the idea of recycling at an early age.  Almost every year since then, I have received the exact same card from a student and this year was no different!  Every year I stop and smile in honor of little Jonathan!

Seasoning of Swahili

Today was my students' last day of school before Christmas.  They were beside themselves with excitement which overflowed into extra hugs for their teacher. :)  They are a sweet group and I have really enjoyed getting to know each child over the past two months. 

After they left, we had a staff luncheon.  A soup buffet always gets my vote this time of year...but during the lunch something profound happened.  

My school has an after school childcare program for children to attend if their parents work.  Today the children in this program were going to a nursing home to sing carols so they came to our luncheon to serenade us.  After a few songs, 4 siblings came to the front and started singing a carol that was very clearly not in English.  I thought it sounded a lot like Swahili.  Once they said, "Mungu" (God), and "Nzuri sana"  (Very fine),  I knew I was hearing Swahili.  The tears were welling up, but I didn't let them fall.  God knows, he sees.  In America, I have heard German carols, French carols, Spanish carols, Dutch carols, etc.  But I have never heard a Swahili carol (outside of Tanzania) until today.  No one in the room ever made the connection that I might recognize it and I had no idea there were children at my school that speak Swahili.  I look forward to seeking them out after Christmas break.

Yesterday I received a Rafiki Christmas card through my email.  I share it with you in honor of all God's beloved celebrating the birth of Jesus with you.