The Mission of San Juan Capistrano celebrates the return of the swallows on March 19th, St. Joseph’s Day. There is excitement throughout the area as the swift flying birds that have flown from Argentina signal a new season, and display the miraculous phenomenon of migration. I think that I also know some of the excitement the people of Capistrano must feel because I love the springtime arrival of the ruby-throated hummingbirds, which nearly always lands on May 14. Around that time everyone starts sharing stories of the first sightings. I can just see the joy those little birds bring to many hearts. And it makes me marvel at the breadth and beauty of God’s creation.
Anagangueo, Mexico celebrates the return of the Monarch butterflies in November when they arrive to over-winter there. Often they arrive around the Day of the Dead (Dia de Muertos) lending significance to the moment; and they cluster on the sacred fir trees, the oyamel, known as the Arbol de Navidad, the Christmas tree. I can just imagine what those people must feel to see their special trees festooned in brilliant orange, because I love the annual arrivals of the Monarchs here.
But how about a living Christmas tree decorated in stunning color. How marvelous would that be? We at Bethlehem have recently planted native milkweed in a special garden to encourage and nurture the Monarchs as our grateful response, our part in the stewardship of God’s creatures.
As I write this article we are anticipating another annual arrival at Bethlehem of a different kind, but also touched by a miracle. Today, October 2nd the first Wednesday of October is “the return of the children,” one of the greatest days on our church calendar. Okay, I am joking to make a point. Today, however, begins our Wednesday after school program. And for me, it is a day of exuberant joy and hope, and I am completely serious about that.
We don’t mark our calendars in an official way to signal the arrival of the children, but we all know this day is upon us. And it is fantastic, and every Wednesday going forward will be filled with the joyous noise; I never get tired of that. Our teachers have been preparing and soon the kids will arrive. Personally, I get the gift of stepping into the hallway to welcome and greet the kids when they burst through the doors, bounce and skip and run to activity, class or snack. Their spirit is infectious and we are all so blessed. We anticipate this annual day with excitement.
The arrival of the children at church also reminds me of the important work of encouragement and nurture we all have whether we are in church, school, or anywhere in our community. These children are precious gifts and all of us adults in the community ought to feel charged with the responsibility to help them grow in such ways that their spirits may flourish and their joy be complete. I know that our teachers will be sharing with the children that they are “walking miracles” to use a phrase a friend recently used.
Our teachers will be sharing with the children from their own faith that God has created us all in the “imago dei” the image of God. We will want to teach them that being special creations of God that they are precious in God’s sight, and that when they look at each other they are seeing another child of God who is equally precious in God’s sight. We feel it is our “duty and delight” to encourage and nurture these little ones as they grow in faith and trust in God.
Wherever you are, whether you are behind a school bus, or witnessing the children going to or returning from school, if you are at the YMCA, or helping with scouting groups, I pray that the joy and hope of the children will touch your hearts, make you smile, and cause you to gift thanks to God most high that we are so blessed.
Each month a member of the Cook County Ministerium will offer Spiritual Reflections. This month our contributor is Reverend Mark Ditmanson of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Grand Marais.
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