(This reflection is an adaptation of a blog I posted on Dec. 22, 2014. For most of you, it will be new.)
Every Christmas I recall a certain school-crossing guard I saw many years ago when I was ministering at the Jesuit novitiate in Detroit, Michigan. I never met her personally, but I saw her almost everyday as she ushered the children safely across the street at the Catholic elemtenary school near the novitiate. I remember in particular an incident that occurred about two weeks before Christmas.
It was 2:30 in the afternoon, shortly before dismissal time. And it was pouring rain. As I sat in my car waiting for the light to change, I spotted the crossing guard. She was wearing big black boots, jeans, a bright orange vest, and a yellow rain hat. In her right hand she was holding a big red STOP sign. But here’s the fun part. She was not standing on the corner in her usual spot. She was standing inside the life-size Christmas creche in front of the church! Yes, there she was, standing next to Joseph, who didn’t seem to mind at all that she was beside him. Apparently, while waiting for the dismissal bell to ring, the woman had used her common sense and had taken shelter from the rain inside the manger.
Seeing her there, I laughed out loud. What a source of inspiration she became for me! First, her big red STOP sign struck me. It was as if she was reminding all passersby (like me!) to STOP your racing around for a minute, STOP your complaining about the weather, STOP your moaning about all the work you have to do, STOP your worrying. And REMEMBER the real reason for this season: the birth of this little baby boy!
In addition, the school guard, by her position in that nativity scene, was demonstrating what many spiritual writers (such as St. Ignatius) encouraged us to do: to put ourselves into the scripture stories, that is, to immerse ourselves in the ambience and action. As you reflect on the Christmas story, for example, put yourself into the manger scene. What do you see or hear? How do you feel being there? What questions do you have? Or try to become Mary, Joseph, or one of the shepherds. Imagine what they would be feeling and thinking. What would they be saying? what would they be hoping and praying for?
And finally, the guard looked at ease next to Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and their sheep. How at ease are we with the great stories of our Christian faith? How well do we know them? But the school guard would not remain in that shelter for very long. In a few minutes the dismissal bell would ring, the children would come pouring out of school, and she would begin her important work, her ministry, if you will: helping those children to cross the busy streets in the pouring rain and in safety. (Talk about a pro-life job!)
At Christmas, God calls us to the manger to adore and reflect on the profound mystery of Jesus’ birth. But we cannot stay at that manger, for Christmas is only the beginning of the story of Jesus. This child will grow up and eventually be revealed as the Son of God who will radically alter human history by his teachings and his life of profound selfless loving. And we who call ourselves his followers are daily called to follow his Way especially by our own acts of selfless loving–that is, by helping others, through sun, rain, and snow, to negotiate the busy streets and intersections of their daily lives.
Wishing you all of very Blessed Christmas,
filled with God’s peace, love, joy, gratitude and hope!
Reflective questions:
What might the STOP sign at Christmas be telling you to remember this Christmas?
Who or what stands out for you the most in the story of the first Christmas? Why?
What do you like most about Christmas–OR what is your favorite Christmas tradition? I hope you might share a few of your thoughts with us below!
I’m offering two videos for you today. The first is a simple, gentle rendition of “The First Noel” sung by Rosemary Siemens. The last verse reminds us of why Jesus was born. If you need a little laughter today, the second video is for you. I’ve posted it before. It is a group of little children putting on their Christmas play. But one of the little girls, who is a sheep, decides she wants to hold baby Jesus.
Video #1: “The First Noel”
Video #2: Children’s Christmas play:
I invite you to share a thought or two below!
23 Responses
What a beautiful reflection for Christmas! I was holding our nervous little rescue dog in the manager scene. We were all safe under Joseph’s watchful eye.
Merry Christmas, Melannie…
Merry Christmas, all…
I echo what Kathleen says, “What a beautiful reflection for Christmas.” There are many grace-filled moments to your story, but what struck me was this: I wonder if that crossing guard, when she woke that morning, ever dreamed her story — her just doing her job — would end up in a blog and be read by thousands of people! How her faithful and daily responsibilities of a crossing guard would lead to a profound meditation of a mindful Christian life. She was doing the will of God without knowing it. Sort of like not letting your left hand know what your right hand is doing. How lovely is that! Thank you!
Beautiful reflection of yours too John.
I love this whole blog post today and everyone’s thoughts add to the wonder and reminders of what Christmas truly is.
Merry Christmas to all and praying you all receive the blessings you need. Enjoy the celebrations.
Thanks, Loretta! Merry Christmas!
Thank you for the image of the crossing guard in the Manger scene. This will help me to reflect and act this week in love. Blessings on you and your beautiful work! Christmas blessings!
Thanks for your reflection and for the hilarious video. As a grandmother of 6 young kids that really spoke to me. I will be babysitting one of my youngest today and hope to see the 4 yr old in her pre school Christmas presentation. I enjoy the enthusiasm of these children and it reminds me that maybe I need more enthusiasm in my faith sometimes. Merry Christmas Sr. Melannie.
As always, you know how to touch my heart…but what really struck me from your manger theme story was this: You have an amazing way to see something positive, no matter what the situation. So many people would have seen the woman in there and would have wanted to scold her for penetrating a holy scene…private property…inappropriate choice of where to stand… etc. Yet you opened the door to finding God…making it meaningful…helping me evaluate my own reactions to situations. Thank you for your writings…I always look forward to your inspirational way of seeing our world ❤️ and stop my morning routine when I see your email with a new entry!
God bless you and your family of sisters!
Good morning, a beautiful reminder to slow down, step back and focus on the reason for the season.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful view of the world. I’d like to shift my lens to be closer to yours. A beautiful musical video. Merry Christmas everyone
Merry Christmas and a very Blessed and Healthy New Year to all.
What a beautiful reflection. What a reminder of Christ being one with us in tthe crossing guard and the little child wrestling to hold the sheep. Thank you for the reminder of Emmanuel….God with us and in us.
blessings,
Father John
Merry Christmas Sister Melannie and thank you for your weekly blog that has inspired me since I began following you through one of your reflections on Give Us This Day. Laughing once again at that Shepherd 💕
Oh Sister, I am always joyfully amazed at your gift of finding God in every part of your daily life. What a lovely reminder, this last week of Advent, to stop all the unnecessary and just focus on Jesus and find Him and the Holy Family everywhere! Merry Christmas! Thank you for your gift!
Dear Melannie, Thank you again for a lovely reflection and an opportunity to enjoy the moment. Wishing you and your community at Merry Christmas and blessed New Year.
If I could be present after the birth of Jesus, I would squat and sit lotus style. Still. All eyes and ears. In great awe. Because the world is about to change.
I watched the preschooler first, then sent it to some loved ones so they could chuckle too. Then I listened to “Noel” and the simplicity of the piano and soft harmonies melted peace in me. Especially the last verse, which I never heard before. (Thanks for the alert ☺️.)
Wishing all of you a blessed Christmas 🎄
Beautifully written!
Video#2 – we all have our own idea who Jesus belongs to.
What a beautiful reflection. We all need that “reminder ” to stop, breathe and remember the true meaning of Christmas! Plus, thanks for the cute video, that little sheep was certainly determined!
Merry Christmas to all!
I imagine other people witnessed the same scene as you did, but you turned it into a beautiful spiritual reflection. It’s amazing that you can do this with ordinary everyday happenings.
I picture myself as one of the shepherds, at home in the hill country but witnessing the miracle of Christ’s birth. Would their lives ever be the same again……and would ours?
Wishing you and all, the peace and joy of Christmas!
Thank you for today’s blog Sr. Melannie! I can picture that crossing guard in the middle of that manger with Jesus, Mary, and st. Joseph. It reminds me to stop the hustle and bustle and just be present- present to the holy family and present to my own family, too! Wishing you and all a very Merry Christmas and New Year filled with many blessings!
I was struck by the toddler who picked up Baby Jesus… I think, in her mind, she heard the baby fussing and responded as any young mother would — comfort him. (“Comfort! O comfort my people!”) The challenge for me? How do I respond to all the needs around me? Am I willing to stand up against those who tell me I’m wrong? If I am stopped, will I risk going back in spite of the risk?
All schools bus drivers and crossing guards have a place in heaven!
Th video was priceless!
Reminds me to hold the Christ child and my family close to m heart!
Stop the grumbling of all the work and perperations of the season , and be grateful and present for all our blessings.
A very joyful Christmas to all !
Dear Sr. Melanie,
Sr. Melannie, I’ve been a CSJ Associate for almost 30 years. A fellow Associate in NY shared this blog. My retirement career for the past ten years has been a school crossing guard near Wash, D.C., with lots of traffic and great families of walkers. This is something I never imagined myself doing, but it’s been a wonderful ministry. Your blog hit so close to home, that I’ve already shared it with 50 friends! Thank you for your reflection, and I’ll pay more attention to the kindnesses I’ve received rather than the impatient and aggressive drivers. I’ve now signed up to receive your future reflections.
Wishing you many Christmas Blessings!
Thank you, Sister it was a
Beautiful tribute to the true
meaning of Christmas and
the children were so cute.
Holding the Baby Jesus she
really took over the beautiful
show!
Blessings
Kathy k