by Mary Clifford Morrell

 

In 1914, five months into WWI, Pope Benedict XV suggested a temporary cease fire to the fighting for the celebration of Christmas. Soldiers in the trenches took heed, though their countries would not make it official. A story on history.com relates: “Starting on Christmas Eve, many German and British troops sang Christmas carols to each other across the lines, and at certain points the Allied soldiers even heard brass bands joining the Germans in their joyous singing.

“At the first light of dawn on Christmas Day, some German soldiers emerged from their trenches and approached the Allied lines across no-man’s-land, calling out ‘Merry Christmas’ in their enemies’ native tongues. At first, the Allied soldiers feared it was a trick, but seeing the Germans unarmed they climbed out of their trenches and shook hands with the enemy soldiers. The men exchanged presents of cigarettes and plum puddings and sang carols and songs. There was even a documented case of soldiers from opposing sides playing a good-natured game of soccer. … During World War I, the soldiers on the Western Front did not expect to celebrate on the battlefield, but even a world war could not destroy the Christmas spirit.”

While more than a century has passed since the Christmas Truce of 1914, and the passing of years has certainly not greatly improved our cultural Christmas, our growing spiritual maturity should enlighten us to the true gift of Christmas demonstrated by soldiers so long ago – our humanity.

God deemed humanity gift enough to be born a child on the first Christmas. During his brief life, during which time he grew in wisdom, age and grace, Jesus taught us how to be human, how to be in relationship with God and others, how to love and create peace in the world.

Jesus was a teacher, the preeminent teacher, and like Jesus, every teacher’s care and concern for their students goes beyond the scope and sequence of a lesson to the heart and soul of the child. Jesus was not just about imparting information, he was concerned about helping others build relationships, with God and with each other. Jesus wanted people to think, to become, to grow along with learning. To accomplish this, Jesus used teaching methods that fostered a process of becoming.

One of the most important methods—Jesus asked questions.

The Gospels record more than 300 questions Jesus asked of those he encountered. He asked questions to start conversations, to engage listeners and establish relationships. Questions allowed those who encountered Jesus to spend time thinking, and then draw their own conclusions. Questions encouraged growth in a faith disciples could make their own.

While reviewing lesson plans in your textbooks, be on the lookout for good questions, or good stories that will lead to good questions. Or try one of Jesus’ questions. One of my favorites is the simple question he asks before his story about the lost sheep (Matt 18: 12, NRSV, Catholic Edition).

“What do you think?”

 

Mary Regina Morrell, mother of six and grandmother to nine, is a Catholic journalist, author, and syndicated columnist who has served the dioceses of Metuchen and Trenton, New Jersey, and RENEW International in the areas of catechesis and communication.

Editorial photo credit: Piranhi / Shutterstock.com