No matter where you go in the world, the Christmas season is
steeped with traditions. In the United States, trees, presents and cookies are
king. At least, this is the enjoyable and sugary norm that many of our Lifeline
elementary students have grown accustomed to in their 9 years of life. For our
Christmas lifeline this year in all four chapters, students were granted a
chance to experience firsthand the glorious holiday outside of their usual
perceptions of Christmas.
Upon arriving to Lifeline on December 21st,
students were gifted with their very own “passport” of sorts. Four stations
held promise of four countries to be visited, four new cultures to experience
and learn from. Students buzzed with the anticipation only something as sweet
and magical as Christmas can create. Set to rotate in small groups from station
to station, the tiny travelers took flight!
England was the first locale for some. While in “England”
students were regaled with a Christmas traditions of plum pudding, Boxing Day
and Frumenty. Leaders taught about the English tradition of “mummering,” where
people will dress up in disguise and go door-to-door, similar to carolers. If
invited inside, they’ll dramatically tell stories of Christmas to their neighbors
(as well as perform dances or jokes) who aim to guess the identities of their
entertainers before offering a holiday treat. The students then engaged in
“mummering” themselves by acting, through a fun and engaging improvisational
game, the roles, both animate and inanimate, from the classic poem “Twas the
Night Before Christmas.” Who wouldn’t want to pretend to be a “bowl full of
jelly”?
One of the next countries on the journey was Congo. Students
were met by a leader with a guitar and song, and learned of the traditions of this
African country. Singing was a huge part of the traditions from Congo. Here,
everyone became a caroler. Joyful songs of Christmas, and the love of Christ to
come to earth as a baby, were sung at the top of tiny lungs.
In Mexico, a charming traditional tale of the Mexican
history of the poinsettia was told. The story recounts that the poinsettia
holds a sort of special significance as the beautiful result of a humble
sacrifice to Christ by a young girl named Pepita. By following instructions
from a leader, folded sheets of vibrant red paper became a striking origami
poinsettia!
France was definitely a favorite for all, as so much of
France’s Christmas tradition is steeped in sweet and delicious celebrations!
The tradition of the Yule log, a tasty cake decorated with icing and sweets to
look like a real log was observed with no reluctance whatsoever! While savoring
their bit of decorated cake, facts were shared about Père
Noël, or France’s Santa Claus, and more French Christmas cuisine!
As is the best part of possessing a passport, each country signed the
passport with a drawn mark to represent its owner’s moments in its culture:
from England, a drawing of an actor’s dramatic face; Congo, music notes for the
joyous carols; Mexico, a blooming flower representative of a beautiful gift to
Christ; and France, a delicious sweet treat!
It was a joy to share the beauty of varied culture and tradition
with students! Even more beautiful was the reminder of Christ humbling himself
to be born as an infant and live a life to set us free from our sins. This truth was the core of our Christmas Lifeline!
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