Kindness--a story much needed every single day

Yes, this is a Christmas story. And yes, I'm sharing it in March. When you stare into the tear-filled eyes of a Mama and she shares the story of how her child has been treated unkind and asks you to pray for her child and for her--and you pray. But the thing is, you can't seem to shake her story. Forget it. And maybe that's it. Maybe we aren't suppose to shake it--forget it. But together, do what we can--no matter how small--to bring change. And for kindness to not only be a subject of conversation--but of action--every single day.

It was the last day of school before Christmas break and everyone was excited to go to school today, all but Rebekah.

“Rebekah, eat your breakfast before it gets cold,” said Mama. “ Your Papa will be here soon to take you to school.”

“Mama, do I have to go to school today?” Rebekah said, barely lifting her spoon of oatmeal to her mouth.

“Why Rebekah, you love school and today’s your last day before Christmas break and you won’t have to go for two whole weeks,” her Mama said.

Rebekah liked the idea of not going to school for two weeks. She loved school, her teacher and her friends, but today of all days, school was not the place she wanted to be. Today was the class Christmas party and she wanted nothing to do with a Christmas party.

Papa’s horn blew from his old Chevy truck and Rebekah knew she needed to hurry. He didn’t like to wait. Rebekah grabbed her coat and gave her Mama a hug and ran out the door.

“Good morning sweetie,” said Papa.

“Hey Papa,” Rebekah murmured.

“What’s wrong Rebekah?” Papa asked. “You should be full of joy this morning, no more school after today for a while. And Christmas is coming!”

“I guess so Papa,” said Rebekah.

Papa and Rebekah rode in silence up the road for a little while and then Papa said, “Little one, I need to stop at Earl’s and get some gas. It won’t take long. Need anything?”

“No Papa,” Rebekah said as she stared out the window.

Papa pulled up to the gas pumps and got out of the truck. He opened the door where Rebekah sat.

“Rebekah, are you having a class Christmas party today?”, Papa asked.

“Yes, Papa and I really don’t want to go to the Christmas party. Can I just go back home with you?”, Rebekah asked as tears came to her eyes.

“Now Rebekah, today is a school day and you have to go. Child, it’s your Christmas party!, he said with a big smile. “There will be games and singing and lots of cookies and candy to eat!”

Rebekah looked down fidgeting with the buttons on her coat.

“Rebekah, is there someone in your class you would like to buy a gift for?” Papa asked.

How could Papa have known what was bothering her.

“Well Papa, I have two best friends, but I don’t have any money to buy gifts. And I didn’t tell Mama and Daddy my party was today. They are working really hard and I didn’t want them to feel bad if they didn't have the extra money this year.”

Papa took his wallet out of his overalls and gave Rebekah two dollars and told her to go into the store and buy her two best friends a gift while he pumped the ole truck full of gas.

Rebekah was so happy. She gave Papa a big hug. “Hurry now,” her Papa said. “You don’t want to be late for school or the party!”

Rebekah ran into the store and bought two little books--one for Lisa and one for Mary. They both liked to read.

Papa pulled into the school’s parking lot and before Rebekah got out of the truck she gave Papa another hug and told him thank you. Then she ran into her classroom. In the corner in front of the class was a little Christmas tree decorated with paper snowflakes and ornaments she and her classmates had made. Under the tree were gifts wrapped in ribbons tied up with bows and each wearing a name tag. Rebekah took her two gifts out of her pink book bag. She didn’t have any Christmas paper or bows but she knew she could make name tags. So she found her tiny scissors, cut two name tags out of plain white paper and asked her teacher for some tape. She wrote on the tags, To: Lisa From: Rebekah, and To: Mary, From: Rebekah and carefully taped the tags to the books. And then she placed her unwrapped gifts under the tree.

Lisa and Mary came into the class and Rebekah ran to talk with them before the morning bell. And then everyone’s attention turned to the laughter and giggles–at the little Christmas tree. The children were laughing and pointing at the gifts under the tree–Rebekah’s gifts.

“Look at Rebekah’s gifts, they are not wrapped!”

Lisa took Rebekah by the hand as they walked to their desks and sat down. “Don’t listen to them,” she said.

Mrs. Prevette rang the bell and said, “Welcome to the last day of school before Christmas break, first-graders! Now, let’s all stand for our morning prayer.”

Rebekah stood but it was hard for her to listen to her teacher’s prayer. She was trying hard not to cry.

After the prayer, Joey raised his hand and shouted, “Mrs. Prevette, when can we open our Christmas presents?”

Now, Mrs. Prevette wasn’t too happy with Joey being loud like that in class, especially right after prayer and she told him to quieten down.

“There will be plenty of time for partying, but first we are going to read a story,” she explained.

Then she told the class to gather around her rocking chair, near the Christmas tree for storytime.

The last place Rebekah wanted to be was close to the Christmas tree to see her unwrapped gifts again. And Mary and Lisa, they knew Rebekah was upset and sat close to her in the reading circle.

Mrs. Prevette reached for her Bible and opened it up. “Boys and girls, this morning we are going to read the Christmas story from Luke, chapter 2.”

Luke 2: 1-14,

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

The room was quiet after Mrs. Prevette read the Christmas story about Jesus’ birth.

“Children, I know we read this story a few days ago. But today I want you to see the story in a different way,” she explained.

“Two times in these scriptures the Bible tells us Jesus was wrapped in what?”

Mary raised her hand.

“Yes, Mary?” Mrs. Prevette asked.

“He was wrapped in swaddling clothes,” said Mary.

“That’s right,” said Mrs. Prevette.

“Now children, can any of you tell me what swaddling clothes are?”, asked Mrs. Prevette.

This time Anne raised her hand and Mrs. Prevette said, “Yes, Anne?”

“Swaddling clothes are dirty rags,” Anne answered. “Shepherds used them to wrap baby lambs in the rags after they were born.”

“You are correct, Ann,” Mrs. Prevette said with a big smile.

“Children, as we learn more about the Christmas story we know that Jesus was the greatest gift this world has ever received. He came as a gift to the world but He wasn’t wrapped in pretty paper and bows. The world expected the next King to come in shiny clothes and be born in a palace, but Jesus, He was born in a manger and He was wrapped in plain and simple cloths. And He came with a simple gift tag, For Whosoever, With love. Whosoever means everyone. He came for all of us in love.”

Mrs. Prevette looked at the classroom’s little Christmas tree, ““Let’s look underneath our little Christmas tree. We have gifts. Some gifts are wrapped in pretty Christmas paper and bows and have tags for special friends.”

Then Mrs. Prevette picked up Rebekah’s two unwrapped gifts and held them up for the class to see and she said, “These two gifts, they are just as special as the ones wrapped in pretty paper and bows because they are given in love. They just look a little different. Anytime a gift is given we should be thankful for the gift and for the friends who gave us the gift.

“Remember children, some of our greatest gifts won’t be wrapped. Kindness and love are gifts we can give to each other daily from the heart. And we don’t have to have money to buy them. They are the most special gifts. Jesus asks us to give these gifts to each other as He has given Himself to us.”

Mrs. Prevette winked at Rebekah, smiled, and then looked at Mary and Lisa and handed the gifts to the girls.

“Mary, I believe this beautiful gift is for you. And Lisa, this lovely gift is for you.”

Rebekah smiled back at Mrs. Prevette. Mary and Lisa both gave Rebekah a hug and said thank you for their special books.

The class spent the rest of the school day celebrating the gift of Christmas playing games, singing Christmas songs, eating candy canes, and Christmas cookies. And when it was time to go home, the children lined up at the classroom door, each waiting their turn for their Christmas hug from their teacher. And when it was finally Rebekah’s turn, Mrs. Prevette hugged her tight and said, “Merry Christmas, sweet child. I love you."

Rebekah and the other children were waiting in front of the school as cars and buses lined up to pick them up for their ride home. Everyone was happy and saying Merry Christmas and many were talking about the excitement of Christmas break--no school--about what Santa would bring--church plays and family get-togethers. But Rebekah smiled, knowing in her heart she had already received the best gifts a little girl could ever receive--kindness and love. From her Papa, Daddy, and Mama, two special friends, the love of her teacher, and most of all, the love of Jesus.