The Digital Nativity Story

The Season of Choice

Jesus is the reason for the season. There is no denying that, but there is something more, something deeper that has crystallized for me this year. God gave us Himself in Jesus, bonded forever with humanity through Mary, but it doesn’t mean a thing unless we choose to accept Him. There it is: acceptance and free choice. What a Christmas gift; a double-edged sword.

Giving gifts is a natural extension of love, gratitude, and friendship and isn't limited to Christmas and birthdays. In its purest form it has nothing to do with commercialism or monetary value or tradition, but has everything to do with effort, time, and thoughtfulness. It could be an ugly tie meant to make the receiver laugh, a favorite dessert, or a thoughtful, handwritten note of appreciation. It could even be resentfully climbing a ladder to help decorate when you absolutely hate the job you are always given. Yet, giving isn’t complete without acceptance and both require free will, free choice.

Mom turned 97 last month. Although she expressed pride at reaching this age, she also noted quietly that the aunt who raised her died at 97. I hoped she wouldn’t dwell on it, but last week she commented that, although it was up to God, she figured this would be her last Christmas and maybe she would just give money and forget about trying to send cards or buy gifts. I kept putting out decorations and wrapping gifts and told her that she could do whatever she wanted, but that I would be free to take her to town any day that week. Three days later we made our trek through several stores with the “shopping chair” (wheel chair) and she picked out gifts and began talking about sending Christmas cards when we got home. What a difference attitude makes. We came home tired, but triumphant. When people unwrap her gifts this year, they will be seeing more than just the trinkets in the package. In their hands will be Mom's acceptance of the gift to choose happiness over pain and love of family over personal disappointment.

I am proud of Mom because, when faced with dismal thoughts of her own mortality and physical difficulties, she chose happiness; she chose to continue to live while she is still alive rather than lie down and wait for death. I think that is what Advent, Christmas, and faith are all about: acceptance…choosing to live, choosing to be happy, choosing joy and love and believing…choosing Life, with a capital L. I want to remember that the freedom to choose is the ultimate Christmas gift and that not choosing is still a choice: Mary chose, Joseph chose, Jesus chose, and we choose. Yes or no? Happy or sad? Alone or together? Full or empty? Victim or participant? It’s our call. So choose.

Ho, Ho, Ho

Last weekend I joined my shopping buddies in Portland for round the clock fun. We wear out sooner than we did when we started this tradition thirty years ago, but I'm pleased to announce that I can still do a mean mall walk. Jennifer, Sarah, and Danielle joined us at different times. It was really nice to connect with them, but it meant that they had to track us down by cell phone and try to pin us down to a meeting place. It's probably a little like trying to herd cats. As always, they were patient with us and good sports about wearing Betty's "Christmas Crowns" that she says spread cheer and help her find us in the stores when she's lost. We took a moment to let Sarah and Danielle entertain us with their wall climbing and bouldering. They had it worked out with management to give us turns, but we settled instead for taking pictures of them in action. Maybe next year.

I apologize to the family members that I neglected to call. Time always zooms by and I had more trouble than usual keeping my phone charged. We kept ourselves pretty busy hopping between shopping centers and individual stores scattered around the area, trying to at least find the things we could only get in the city. I still have some online ordering to do and some local shopping, but I can breath a little easier. The place where we stayed set up a wrapping room complete with Christmas paper, bows, labels, ribbon, scissors, and tape so we spent our last evening wrapping about half of our packages.

Here Danielle is tutoring Betty in a shirt folding trick that takes a certain flick of the wrist. After giving everyone individual lessons, they practiced on their own clothes the rest of the evening and the next morning when we packed up to leave. I guess we're pretty easily entertained.

Now it's time for the hot tub! What a group. We have so much fun every year, we have come to realize that it is less about the shopping and more about the personal connections. Each of us has had our share of difficult moments, but no matter where life takes us, we always have this time set aside for each other; a time for wise cracks, silliness, commiserating, and fun with a little shopping, eating, and margaritas on the side. Get ready! Only 364 days until we're back!

Blackboards, Whiteboards, and Smart Boards

Technology is amazing. Mom has lived from Model T days when trains were the most common way to cover long distances through today’s computerized age where she can Skype her grandkids. Even I have watched much progression from people walking on the moon to living in an orbiting space station, from black party-line wall phones with rotary dials to iPhones with touch screens and GPS applications. But the real eye-opener is in the school systems where even my children might be surprised at the changes.

Mom first learned to write on a chalkboard slate, but I had the modern convenience of pencil and paper from the start. Both of us learned touch typing in high school on standard punch-key typewriters. Soon, however, I graduated to an IBM electric typewriter that was smooth and fast. My kids learned touch typing in junior high, however, on Apple’s first computers. Now, fourth graders are learning touch typing on internet applications because they access computers too often to wait until seventh grade.

Besides several computers in each classroom, the 21st century also sports some other interesting equipment. Overhead projectors and transparencies have largely been replaced by document cameras that display onto the wall images laid beneath them, such as book pages, worksheets, and small objects. Movie projectors and dry erase boards have been replaced with computers and Smart Boards where websites and digital videos can be displayed and interactively manipulated. Instead of markers, digital pens control the computerized display and write on the Smart Board in digital colors that disappear with the touch of a button. Even our small rural schools have managed these resources with grants, but some schools go one step further with iPods, Kindles, and laptops for each student. As communication technology becomes more affordable, it equalizes and greatly expands the academic playing field. It’s definitely a different world; an excitingly fast-paced one.

In my latest literacy class, this subject of technology brought up some interesting questions. Technological literacy is necessary for children to function adequately in modern society, but what are the trade-offs and challenges? For instance, it goes without saying that thirty students wandering aimlessly on internet is not a good thing, yet safe sites and strict protocol rules, consequences, and monitoring can make it a rich source of information and a positive experience. Likewise, we must teach ways to discern the validity and reliability of sites and information as well as direct its use to a specific purpose.

Carefully done, it’s great stuff. Third grade students in EO can email penpals in Australia or Japan, and fifth graders can access the Smithsonian Institute website for their reports on Lewis and Clark and then create a podcast to share with parents and other students. But how far should we go? Does the advent of more economical Kindles and iPads completely replace textbooks and libraries? Should it? Will there still be a place for the word printed on rich, creamy paper sewn between hard bound covers to hold in our hands and leaf through the pages or will these be left on museum shelves to be protected like ancient Dead Sea scrolls? Should we bother to teach handwriting any more? D’Nealian printing perhaps, but not script? We don’t miss the old Underwoods, will we miss the pen? I don’t know. I guess we just have to stay tuned to find out, but in the meantime, let’s think about it.