And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby…
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good tidings
of great joy that will be for all people!”
We had a spectacular Christmas pageant in December with over twenty school children at Casa Vale! The kids were all decked out as shepherds (pictured), angels, sheep and one donkey as they told the Christmas story through songs and narration. We even had a real live Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus (five-month-old Avery McAvaddy, and his parents, our newest staff members.) Song after song told the Christmas story, interspersed with poems that the children recited by heart. I wish you could have been there to see and hear them all at their best!
For the first time, almost ALL of their parents and families came! It was fantastic. I can't even describe the look on Petruta's face when her Mom slipped in late and took a seat near the front, the only seat left. Her little face seemed to glow as she puffed out her chest and began to sing even louder, with all she could muster for such a tiny 9-year-old.
And there were dads in attendance as well. Georgiana's dad, Robert's dad and Florin and Eleni's step-dad. It was new to see not just moms but so many men there. And to see so MANY parents! Half from the audience were left standing because we had no more chairs or benches!
Mixed with my joy at seeing such a spectacular show put on by our children, was sadness from the realization that Christmas consumerism marginalizes those who can't afford to consume.
What parent desires to deny his child a special toy or bike or roller blades at Christmas? And yet there are so many who can't afford the luxury of gift giving as we traditionally know it. For so many, Christmas is a painful reminder of what they cannot do or buy or enjoy or taste or touch or give. I was reminded of this fact as I mingled with the parents and families of the children who daily attend Casa Vale.
At Christmastime, small business owners are raking in the dough and those with money are making them rich. But where do the poor fit in? No where but outside the window looking in, sometimes without money to buy dinner never mind the chance to waste precious pennies on frivolities.
More than ever this year in our city of Galati I felt the deadly pressure of materialism crushing in. And I say deadly because the message of a consumerist culture kills our joy in true beauty, steals our delight in simple things and leaves us feeling betrayed when we discover in the end that “things” do not bring us all the pleasure and fulfillment that the advertisements promised.
This year I saw a very small glimpse of the angst of parents who cannot afford their children everything on the Santa wish-list. How I long to see the day come when the dividing lines will be no more! When rich and poor will not be worlds apart! When all can come and feast freely and no one will be left out or feel ashamed because they cannot afford to partake!
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare” (Is. 55:1-2)
I am truly humbled to be in such close proximity to those who have so little and yet have so much. And I remember Jesus' words on the mount: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven… and blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth” (Mat. 5:3-5). In this I find hope and joy that in the kingdom of God possessions and money are of no value. It is the pure in heart that will see God and the meek who will inherit the earth; the poor are not excluded from the kingdom of God, it is theirs.
This Christmas, though I was saddened by the discrepancies I saw and the burden that the poor must bear, I also found peace and joy, knowing that the Kingdom of God turns the economy upside-down. And we can rejoice with the poor as they inherit the kingdom of God.
Thanks for remembering me and the children in prayer as we begin this New Year. Pray that we will have hope and joy and peace in abundance and eyes to see the riches of the kingdom in our midst. Also keep me in prayer as I welcome the Spring Servant Team on February 16, Ruth and Katie, who will be serving with us until mid-June.
Peace to you,
Rachel
rachel.simons@wordmadeflesh.com OP 6 CP 256 ~ Galati, 800.760 ~ Romania