a (bitter) sweet moment...

The past few weeks at North Club (the kids day camp I run in July & August) we have been doing Christmas in the summer. (Yes, you read that right. And it has been an amazing way of drawing on what kids know or don't know about Christmas, and using that to build how to have a relationship with this baby in a manger. Plus, hopefully this will change the way they see Western symbols of Christmas. Look at at Christmas tree: its wood. Jesus learned to work with wood. He died on a cross of wood...these kinds of connections will hopefully stay in their head.)

We ended this week with the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus - and it was one of the most powerful lessons/moments that I have had with these kids to date. For all the theological education and training I have had, I was reminded by the kids reactions to the story of the crucifixion, about the rawness (bitterness) and simplicity (sweetness) of the suffering of Christ. As I was telling the story, some of them wouldn't even look up - you can tell it really bothered them. And they asked such good questions! Like why Jesus did not come of the cross when He could of. Then we talked about what this said about the character of God - and they concluded with: He must really love us. When I asked them the next day what they felt after the story they responded that they felt sad.

I told them that something special happened - and then shared the story of the resurrection. About how at first Mary didn't recognize Jesus. About how Thomas didn't believe until Jesus came and showed him the scars in his hands. And about how He went into heaven - AND IS STILL LIVING. (Which they all thought was SO cool. A good reminder, eh?) Then one girl asked a question: would a girl in her class, who didn't believe in Jesus, still be able to see Him when He comes back? And then the moment: one of the other kids looked at her and said "Of course. Jesus will go to her in the same way He went to Thomas."

I just thought that was such a beautiful moment: them helping each other to understand - and teaching me more about the character of God. Who is teaching who?