Day 5: Christmas Collection

 

Day 5 Christmas Connections

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, 

giving thanks to God the Father through him. 

Colossians 3:17

In the week between planning meetings, Carol spent every moment she could getting to know the people who showed up first in the morning and left last at night. One morning, she brought donuts and coffee (safely served in the Community Room away from the books) and invited the crowd to a coffee hour. She circulated among the small tables she had set up and listened. 

At first, many were shy but they warmed up with the coffee and began sharing a bit about themselves. Many lived in the blocks surrounding the library. Some were retired or out of work. Some had grown up in town and shared stories of days gone by. Others were newcomers without friends. Conversation hummed along with munching. 

Soon, Carol noticed new gatherings around tables. A few readers exchanged phone numbers or recommended books they had enjoyed. Many began stopping by her office to say hello or to offer a word of thanks or encouragement. 

  Harry and Ron approached Carol at the desk. “We noticed a tottering table. Can we fix it?”

“I can help with Spanish speakers,” Alma, a dignified woman who had taught high school Spanish, volunteered. “And translate material for your newsletter.”

“I would like to help with children,” Linh shyly offered. Carol suggested that she help Gina prepare Story Hour crafts.

A few remained suspicious, watching her every morning for more boxes of donuts, but slowly, a feeling of community grew. More and more, Carol noticed greetings, shared smiles, and quiet conversations. A few readers watched Harry and Ron fix the table leg and suggested asking Carol for a list of repairs that needed to be done. The library was no longer a place to pass time; it was a place to share time. 

Day by day, Carol added to her list of things to be thankful for — a list that could never grow too long.

Advent Challenge: Have you forgotten to give thanks for your many blessings? Make a list. Add to it every day. 

Prayer: Giver of all good things, thank you! Author of time, thank you! Maker of peace, Grantor of mercy, Comforter, Redeemer, Sustainer, Wonderful Counselor, Faithful Friend, thank you, thank you, thank you! Lord, make me truly thankful today. Amen

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, 

for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. 

Hebrews 13:2

Day 4: Christmas Connections

 

Day 4       Christmas Connections

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Colossians 4:5

The county library system had several holiday books in Spanish and English that Carol ordered for Lizabeta and Mariela. She would include some in Story Hour in December. Maybe she could find a Spanish speaker to help. The books she chose should coordinate with Omar and Simon’s calendar. 

One of the first books that came to mind was Milo Imagines the World* by Matt de la Pena. Milo and his sister take the subway to visit their mother. As they ride, Milo imagines stories for all the people around him — a businessman in a suit, a wedding-dressed woman, and a boy with a perfect part in his hair. When they arrive at their destination, Milo realizes that assumptions based on appearances don’t tell the whole story of a person’s life. 

This was true about Simon the library’s faithful Santa. He might look like a jolly old elf, but he’d taught Russian literature at a leading university, spoke five languages, and had visited all seven continents. Burrowed into a corner of the library with his stack of books, he looked like any of the regulars in the Reading Room. No one would guess he was writing his fifth book and had won international acclaim for his translations of Russian authors. 

Sitting back in her chair, Carol thought about the readers filling the tables. What did she really know about them? She knew what books they liked but, beyond that, not much more. How could the library celebrate its readers when she knew so little about them? Like Milo in the story, Carol could imagine stories for them. What could she do to learn the stories they had to tell about themselves? How could she turn strangers into friends?

Taking a few moments in the lull of the library afternoon to offer her problem to a power higher than the library board, Carol breathed a prayer for inspiration and kindness. With prayer, books, and willing helpers, at least one who was bilingual, Carol was sure the December program, whatever it turned out to be, would be successful. 

Advent Challenge: Use your time to find out more about someone. Strike up a conversation with someone new to the community or your church. Include a new friend in an activity. Listen to their stories. Offer to fill a need. Turn a stranger into a friend.

Prayer: Dear Lord, you give me the time I need to help someone who needs my time. Help me welcome someone in love. Amen

With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you. 2 Peter 3:8

*Available on YouTube

Day 3: Christmas Connections

 

Day 3 Christmas Connections

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, 

whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—

                                if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8

Lizabeta returned with her aunt and mother on Saturday morning. “We’re back!” she announced to the desk attendant. “I’ve got the papers and Mamá. Now, can we get a library card?”

Carol walked out to greet her. Lizabeta introduced her Mamá and Tía Mariela smiled. While the desk attendant printed out cards for Lizabeta and Mamá, Carol asked her what kind of books she would like.

“Books in Spanish and English so we can both read,” said Lizabeta. “Books babies would like. I want Tiá to learn English before Christmas when the baby is coming.”

“To learn more English,” corrected Mamá. 

“More English,” repeated Lizabeta. 

Mamá explained, “My sister works here in a place where mostly Spanish is spoken. She needs to learn more English. Mariela and her husband are hoping to become citizens soon.”

“And a mamá and a papá!” said Lizabeta. “Point us to the books!”

Carol laughed. “I have a pile ready for you. Why don’t you look around the Children’s Alcove too.” 

Lizabeta grabbed Tía’s and Mamá’s hands and joyfully pulled them across the library. A few of the Reading Room regulars watched them cross the room. Carol could almost hear their mental shushes. She wondered how she could turn their shushes into smiles. 

At lunch, Carol took a few moments to pray for expectant parents. Mariela reminded her of Mary — expecting her first child, visiting family, traveling to a strange land with her husband, fearful, joyful, facing the many unknowns of parenting. She prayed that Mary’s baby would bless Mariela and her child and every child and parent who visited the library. She gave thanks for the chill in the air, the quiet and noisy moments of her day, and, as always, books and readers. 

Advent Challenge: Find joy in the noise of children, in the silence of being alone, in the routine of your day, in the interruptions in your day, in the people you meet, and the people you miss. Everywhere! Give thanks!

Prayer: Father of joy, help me to focus my mind and heart on the true, noble, right, pure, admirable, praiseworthy, and excellent things you provide. Thank you for each and every one. Amen

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;  his love endures forever. 

Psalm 118:1

Day 2: Christmas Connections

 

Day 2      Christmas Connections

Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. Rom. 15:7

Wednesday afternoon, the library staff met. Its membership was slim, plumped out by some faithful volunteers. Gina, a library aide studying Information Science, helped with Story Hour, designed book displays, and monitored the library’s website. Omar and Khalil, volunteer shelvers, chatted on one side of the table while Simon sat at the corner behind a tottering pile of books, research for the book he’d been working on since he retired from teaching. 

“Welcome happy helpers! Our task, should you choose to accept it, is to include every reader who visits in December. Our community is more diverse every year. First on the list, deciding what to highlight.” Carol passed around her agenda.

“Maybe diversity should be our focus,” Gina suggested. “We usually focus on celebrations in December, but some of our readers don’t have much reason for holiday cheer.”

  Heads nodded around the table. In the past few years, the library had become much more than a place to find books. Jobseekers searched job websites. Librarians helped fill out applications and fax them to employers. Once a month, the library hosted a job fair. Tutors coached learners studying for the GED or reviewing literacy skills or learning English. A Fresh Veggies truck parked weekly in the library’s lot serving shoppers who couldn’t get to the grocery store two miles away. Seniors’ social events and yoga classes met in the community meeting rooms. Children chattered in Spanish and English in the Children’s Alcove. Every morning, a crowd waited on the library’s steps to enter.

“Let’s focus on connecting our patrons. We’ve got readers, seekers, teachers and learners, children, parents and seniors, some with too much to do, and some with not enough. How can we help them connect?” Carol suggested.

“We can feature books about different communities,” Gina offered.

“How about a calendar on the bulletin board in the Children’s Alcove? We could post suggestions for connecting with friends, neighbors, and community members.” Omar’s enthusiasm radiated along the table. 

Khalil jumped in, “We can post the calendar events on our website and social media page too.”

Simon’s pile of books trembled with the excitement in the room. “I’ve been working on my Santa laugh and belly since Halloween,” he said. “I’ll help Omar with the calendar, Ms. Marion.”

“We’ve got four weeks until December, with a break for Thanksgiving that gives us about fifteen days to prepare. We’ll have seven Story Hours. The last one, of course, will be Santa’s debut. Let’s meet again a week from today. Gina and I will sort out some activities, create a book list, and plan some Story Hour activities. Simon and Omar, have a template for your calendar ready.”

“I’ll check out our holiday lights,” called Khalil. “No dud bulbs this year!”

“A dud-free December for all!” Simon cheered. 

Advent Challenge: Make a connection today. Welcome someone new. Pray for someone. Offer peace.

Prayer: Ever-welcoming God, help me welcome someone new so that more may know your peace. Amen

Christmas Connections: Day 1

 

Day 1 Christmas Connections

  A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health. 

                                                         Proverbs 15:30 NLT

“Morning Ms. Marian,” a  deep husky voice drawled from the library’s front doors. Simon wiped his wet boots on the mat. Carol smiled. Simon insisted on calling her Marian, as in “Marian the Librarian,” and she had given up correcting him. He shook his mane of grizzled hair sending raindrops over the carpet and onto the Staff Picks books by the front door. Since becoming the children’s librarian (a post she had coveted for years, studied for, worked for, and finally achieved), Carol spent more time behind her desk in her office. Paperwork, if you could call it that since now everything was digital, overflowed into her “children and books” time. She carved out time for Story Hour and stood armed with baskets of books for Wednesday and Friday mornings. 

“Careful, Simon,” Carol called. “We are long past April showers.” Gina, the library aide, designed the monthly Staff Picks display. In April, the books had sheltered beneath an umbrella wielded by a cardboard Christopher Robin. This November morning, gratitude books spilled from the table in Norman Rockwell’s “Freedom from Want” painting. 

Simon’s eyes twinkled below his generous white eyebrows. Clean-shaven but with an enviable Ho-Ho-Ho laugh (and belly), he’d soon don a white beard and red suit and pass out gifts (books, of course) to all the Story Hour children. The jingle of the front door announced another reader. A young woman, shepherded rather forcefully by a little girl, approached the desk. 

“We want a library card,” the girl announced.

“How wonderful!” Carol smiled as she reached into a drawer for a form, “Is this your mother?”

“No, this is Tía Mariela,” the girl answered. “She doesn’t speak much English,” here she looked pointedly at her aunt. “I am helping her. Do you have books written in English and Spanish?”

“We sure do!” said Carol. “And I can order all you want. My name is Carol. What’s yours?”

“Lizabeta and I am eight years old. I can read English and Spanish. Mamá taught me. Tía wants to read to her baby.” Lizabeta pointed at Mariela’s baby bump, about the size of Simon’s Santa belly. “Coming soon!”

Carol smiled at Mariela who smiled shyly back. “How wonderful! Well, Lizabeta, have your mother fill out this form and come back with you to get your card.”

Lizabeta grabbed the form and her aunt’s hand. Echoes of “Gracias,” followed them out into the brisk November day. Carol smiled. Two new readers to add to her prayer list. How wonderful!

Advent Challenge: Give a smile. Get a smile. Make the world a more joyful place.

Prayer: Joy to the world! The Lord is coming! Help me prepare a joyful place in my heart for our Savior. Help me share that joy with the world. Amen

Welcome to Christmas Connections: An Advent Calendar Story

 

Christmas Connections 

An Advent Calendar Story

Welcome to “Christmas Connections” an Advent Calendar Story!

Advent is a time of connection. We connect with family and friends, 

but our most important connection is with the 

Savior who was born to redeem us. 

This is a story of connections. Read one page each day in Advent. 

Reflect on the Bible verses. Read the children’s books referenced.* 

Respond to the challenge and pray the prayer.

Make Christmas Connections that will last all year.

Throughout the story, you will find references to children’s picture books.

*Links for the children’s books can be found on YouTube. You can see them read in Spanish or English. You can also find them at your library. 

Connect with and support your local library.  

Please preview videos before sharing them with children. 

Advertisements may be added without notice. 

Thank you!

Directions for the games included in the story can be found on Google.

Prepare Your Heart for Our Savior and King! 

LMC 2021

About to From

 About to From

During teacher training, I took several classes on Child Development. I learned a lot about children. When I started teaching, I learned that what I knew about children was much less important than what I learned from them. 

In my twenty-five years of teaching, every student taught me something. James taught me to persevere working for weeks to add two-digit numbers. Morgan taught me that kindness overrides classwork when, instead of doing a worksheet, she made a card for a hurting friend. Jonathan taught me that there are many ways to solve a problem when he taped all his crayons together so he wouldn’t lose them after the box broke. Andrew taught me to let others take center stage when he stayed quiet even when he knew the answer. Joy taught me that I could be wrong.

Riley informed me that the best way to learn about nature isn’t by looking in a book but in a comfortable lawn chair in the garden with a nice tall glass of ice tea. Leah taught me to count to ten when frustrated and to use words to explain my feelings. Stephen showed me courage when he shared his feelings after his father died. The class taught me empathy when they patted him on the back and were extra kind. 

Jeff taught me acceptance when his mother remarried bringing him a new father and two siblings. Owen demonstrated patience when he volunteered to help a difficult classmate. Brooke reminded me that a mother’s instructions come in handy. Melina taught me that friends, even when they make you cry, are worth having.

Emily gave me the music of words with her poetry. Kate tackled math problems with a glee most reserve for cake and ice cream. Shy Laura spoke up with her sweet singing. Charles stayed focused on his work the day the ants swarmed the lunch boxes. Chad listened patiently when Jared’s new retainer made him difficult to understand. Melvin taught me how to dance in a wheelchair and Katherine showed me how to race with a walker.

Some students had less but gave more. Jason and Shawn were always the first to share when supplies ran short. Kiki organized my bookshelves, straightened the desks, and wiped off the blackboard without being asked. Diego translated for students learning English. Angelica cut Valentines from scrap paper. Sean put all his souvenir money in the “Feed the Animals” box at the zoo. 

Hands shot into the air every time I said, “I need a volunteer,” without knowing what they would be asked to do. No one sat alone in the lunchroom or played alone on the playground unless they wanted to. Sure, we had squabbles and tempers but we worked it out together. We joyfully joined hands and hearts to make our classroom a safe, fun, and caring place.

My students outshone me as teachers without any training at all. Wide smiles, sweet voices, irrepressible joy, copious tears, and soft hands reaching for mine taught me to view every day as an adventure — you never know what will happen or where you will go, but if we go together, all will be well. 

The lessons I learned from my students will never fade or grow old. They live in my heart right next to my kids.