This contemporary Nativity Scene is by the American artist James B. Janknegt and was painted in 1995. I like it because it reminds us that Christmas is about the birth of Christ, in our town, where we live today.
While I love many of the traditional Nativity paintings, they may invoke in us a sense that we are celebrating something that happened two-thousand years ago and deflect attention from the need to give birth to Christ in our hearts today. This is the central and essential message of Christmas.
We promote the practice of meditation in schools because we of the very real fruits it gives rise to in the lives of children. While the practical benefits of meditation are very helpful because they contribute to mental wellbeing, the deeper spiritual fruits are equally, if not more, important.
Meditation creates opportunities for personal experience of the love of God, a rich heart-felt experience. Children tell me that meditation makes them aware of the goodness inside, which is really pointing to their true nature as children of God. In faith schools it is important to establish links between the practice of meditation and the faith tradition of the child.
There are many opportunities for doing so in RE class but Christmas provides a unique opportunity to do so. Please take some time in the weeks before Christmas to remind the children that meditation is a time for opens their hearts to the goodness within, to the divine spark that is already within each of us. Meditation reignites that spark within us so that we become more like him. As they listen to the chimes at the start of meditation, ask them to imagine God is ringing their doorbell and invite them to open their hears to let Him in.
Starting in February 2023, we will create a brief weekly opportunity for teachers to meditate together and to share about the joys and challenges of making meditation available to children in the classroom. It will take place either on a Tuesday evening from 8 – 8:30 p.m. or on a Saturday morning from 10 – 10:30 a.m., whichever option is chosen by the majority. If you would like to join whenever you are free to do so please email meditationandchildren@gmail.com letting me know your preference
A Time for YOU
How to Meditate
If you have fallen out of the habit of meditating regularly with your class, why not restart in now as children are so attuned to the coming birth of Christ.
The image above leads to an 8- minute video for children on how to meditate. Or simply use the instructions to the right. Click the bar below to start a two -minute meditation.
Simplified Meditation Instructions
Because our mind often wanders when we meditate, we use a little trick –we give our mind a word to focus on. The word we use is Maranatha – and we’ll say it as if it were four little words Ma-Ra-Na-Tha. We say it silently in our minds, so no one else will hear us saying it. If a thought comes into your mind, just let it go and go back to saying your word, Ma Ra Na Tha. If you forget it, open your eyes for a second to see it on the whiteboard.
And one more thing. When you meditate it really helps if you sit up straight in your chair with your body relaxed. If your legs are long enough, keep both feet firmly on the floor – and close your eyes lightly.
Now we are going to meditate for 2 minutes together. As the bell rings, begin to say your word Ma-Ra-Na-Tha., slowly, silently and lovingly.
Click the image to access our posters
Click image to download nativity colouring pages
Click on the image to download this poster showing the fruits of meditation for children, as a Christmas Tree.
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