Boxes Full of Love

Valentine's Day was a special event in second grade. I find so much joy in watching children excited about simple things. But according to second grade, Valentine's Day was no simple event this year.

Before the morning bell rang, second grade poured into the classroom proudly carrying their decorated boxes. Hearts were cut out of the tops of the sealed boxes, wrapped in decorative wrapping paper or stuck with stickers. Here was a new way to initiate creativity from my students! Each one carefully stacked their boxes behind my desk, admired their peers' handiwork, and tried to peek at the Valentine notes.

The love chapter was the focus of our Bible lesson. The boys pointed out what love isn't as we read through 1 Corinthians 13. They all thought is was funny that we could be like a 'noisy bell' if we didn't have God's love, even though they've made great accomplishments, like speaking the different languages of men. Verse 3 taught the students that if they give all they have to the poor or needy but don't have love, they gain nothing. Giving is huge in this culture influenced by Islam. One of the core beliefs of entering heaven is giving of alms to the poor, but the lesson showed us that it's useless unless our hearts have the true love of Jesus. The girls then noted that love is patient, kind, isn't boastful, proud or envy, nor keeps anger against one another. There is never a time where we don't talk about how much Jesus loves these students...and that his love never fails them.

By the end of the day, the party of the year had begun! Students excitedly gave away their homemade notes and candy trying to get their job done while returning to their desk to peek in their boxes as they filled with love. Issa would pull out about half of his notes and with much excitement bring them for me to see. The girls giggled as Maher addressed 'Sweet' before their names on the notes, and the boys dug into their boxes searching for candy and notes from their buddies. Each child left the class with a box full of love, kindness and the remembrance of a past Bible verse, "It is better to give than to receive."

So another fun and special Valentine's Day came and went, and I started to prepare for the next day. But one of my second graders caught me eye. Mohamad, the last to go home, stood across the courtyard waiting for his taxi to arrive. He would periodically stoop down, check the contents of his box, replace the lid and then recheck the kind notes again. Despite his rough exterior he tends to show towards his classmates, he took home notes and a box full of God's love. Somehow, I know he'll keep those notes.

An Aged Church and a Child's Request

There is one church in this region that has captured me. I'm not sure what actually draws me to this building. Is it the rich history that is contained in it's very structure, the paintings along the walls, the worshipers both local and foreign or the events that have and continue to unfold around it's compound?

One morning, Michael and I wandered through the stone-walled allies of Bethlehem. Upon nearing Manger Square, the allies change from front door entrances to small shops strewn with souvenirs, mixed with convenience stores of spices and fabrics for the locals. Manger Square is rather large. On opposite sides stand two challenging buildings. A rather tall minaret towers above a dominate mosque. In fact, the minaret is the tallest structure in the square, leaving one with a subordinate feeling. Directly across  the mosque, on the other side of the square, stands the aged old Church of the Nativity.

To enter the church, one must pass through the Door of Humility, which was added on during the Ottoman rule. Once inside I'm always taken back by the simplicity and raw remains of this church. Pillars display Saints painted by the Crusaders. Old light fixtures hang from wooden rafters and an opening in the floor allows visitors to see the original tiling. Visitors fall into a silence as they progress through the cool naive and up to the alters.

The church was rather empty that morning, so we joined a small group of tourist descending below the alters into the Grotto of  the Nativity. I personally don't believe Jesus was born in that exact spot, but I wanted to revisit the sight of excitement for many pilgrims. After a few moments of silence and a snapshot of my own, I ascended back into the church.

I had noticed that I was now with a group of Muslim tourists from Indonesia. One little voice caught my attention. Sitting next to his mother, a child gazed around casually taking in the sight of the church. His mother was explaining the significance of the church to Christianity and who Jesus was. It was obvious that the mother was more into the lesson than her son, for he just swung his legs and very innocently interrupted her and said, "Wouldn't you have liked to have met Isa?" The mother continued on with her education. "I would have liked to have meet him," he replied again.

The spoken words remain in my ears, a young boy probably back home in Indonesia, an earnest statement made and a heart that God is seeking to reveal himself to. I wish I had taken this boy and told him that he will see Isa if he just asks. My prayers covered this child, commit him into God's hands and petitioned that God would indeed reveal himself.

How many others pass beneath the ancient rafters of the silent church of old and question themselves about meeting Isa?