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Chapter 7: It’s Better to Give!
Jake and Manuel were leaning into the wind as they headed toward Jake’s house for the weekly meeting of the Highland Ridge Explorers. They were bundled up in parkas, hats, and mufflers. It was a cold day, with a biting wind.
“We had a great Thanksgiving Day, didn’t we Manuel?” Jake asked. He continued, “I think we had a great idea when we decided to celebrate the day together. Marissa’s family was so great to offer us their huge house. What a crowd! I think I counted seventeen kids and thirty-five adults. And we still had enough food!” “Yes, Marissa’s Mom and Dad are probably still recovering!” replied Miguel, as they turned into Jake’s driveway.
The other Explorers were already on the porch stamping their feet. “Hurry, Jake! We’re freezing!” Jake unlocked the door and let everyone in. “My Mom will be here in a few minutes with Benjie. He had a doctor’s appointment. Then she’ll make us some hot chocolate—I hope!” Page 2 of 7 © RCL Benziger
Soon they were settled in the family room, Jake’s mom was back with Benjie and stirring up hot chocolate in the kitchen. The group could also hear popcorn popping.
“You aren’t sick, are you, Benjie?” asked Keiko.
“No, it was just a follow-up appointment. I was sick last week. The doctor says I’m fine now,” said Benjie.
Jake called the meeting to order and announced the order of business. “Let’s talk a little about our Thanksgiving feast, which I think we all agree was a great success. Then I think we should get a head start talking about a Christmas project. We tend to get started too late, and then sometimes we can’t do the projects we really want the most.” “Good idea, Jake,” said Ellie. “Wow, that was the best Thanksgiving ever. I didn’t know what to eat first. I never saw so much food in my life.”
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“I had never had pecan pie before,” said Tobi. “But it was really good—so sweet, and crunchy too!”
“We loved the chicken and pineapple dish with rice, Rodrigo,” chimed in Marissa. “My Mom asked your Mom for the recipe.” “I was pretty happy that Nigerians eat yams,” added Benjie. “Even though I never had them without marshmallows before! The stew was really good, too.”
“It’s our favorite dish,” said Tobi, smiling.
“I hate to interrupt all these memories,” said Jake. “But I need to remind everyone that this is our day to choose a Christmas project. Who’s got an idea?”
Keiko began. “Well, I was thinking about this. I remember that last Spring we were asked to memorize the Prayer of Saint Francis. It was part of our prayer service one week. And I was thinking about that line, ‘For it is in giving that we receive.’ “ “I don’t know that prayer,” said Rodrigo. Page 4 of 7 © RCL Benziger
Keiko explained. “It’s about all the ways Saint Francis says we can be peacemakers in the world, like forgiving people or bringing joy to others.”
Manuel added his own thoughts. “My Mom and Dad are always reminding us that Christmas is more about giving than receiving, because that is what Jesus did—he was always giving to others. And it’s his birthday that we are celebrating.” “I think we are getting to a theme here,” said Jake. “We want to choose a project that emphasizes the true spirit of Christmas, a spirit of giving. Now all we need are three ideas.” The room got very quiet for a few moments. The only sound was popcorn crunching as the Explorers munched away. “We could organize a Giving Tree at church,” said Ellie.” We could cut out ornaments shaped like gifts and write the name of a gift item on the back. Families could pick an ornament and deliver a gift back the next week. Then the Social Outreach group at the parish could deliver the gifts to needy families.” Page 5 of 7 © RCL Benziger
“I’d like to do something especially for kids,” said Benjie. “Imagine what it would be like not to get anything for Christmas!” Marissa looked up. “Here’s an idea. Maybe we could ask the pastor to have a special children’s collection one Sunday. We could promote it in the Catholic school and in the parish’s faith formation classes. You know, posters and things. And then all the money could go to buy toys for kids whose families need some help this year.” Keiko added an idea. “My Mom and Dad got one of those catalogs in the mail where you send money to an organization to buy animals for people in poorer countries who use the animals to make a living. Like you could donate three chickens, or a goat, or ducks. The people raise them and then sell the eggs, or the milk, or whatever the animal produces. We could publicize one of those programs and each class could choose a donation.” Page 6 of 7 © RCL Benziger
“We’ve done it again,” said Jake. “Three great ideas! I’m going to close off discussion so we can take a vote.”
“And I’ll bring copies of The Prayer of Saint Francis for everyone next week, said Keiko. “That way we can keep our minds on the true meaning of Christmas all month long. “ --------------TIME TO VOTE
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