Telling the Story

            At a families event this Friday, we chatted about the importance of stories - and shared a few examples of our favourite Christmas stories. Stories are significant and important; they teach us and inspire us while entertaining us and engaging our imaginations.

            The context of our stories can have an impact on what we take away from hearing them. The event, gathered under a starry apse, is called "Stories Under the Stars" and participants are invited to wear PJs and bring a pillow or blanket. As this year's event happened to fall on the feast of St. Nicholas, we opted to include that into our time as well.

            And so, after much seeking and searching (and postal delivery stresses!), we found an age-appropriate story of St. Nicholas (NOT "Santa Claus") that shared about his life, his miracles, and his legacy after his death. We read the story in parts, and interspersed it with crafts and activities and songs (my esteemed colleague even wrote a new Nicholas rap for the occasion!).

            We wanted to tell a story in meaningful ways that would resonate; and so we needed some creative expressions. From new verses of old carols to dressing candy as saints, we worked to make the story come to life. The children in attendance seemed to respond well; they sang and crafted and listened eagerly.

            It's a wonderful reminder for us: there are stories to be told, and there are ears waiting to hear. We have astonishing lessons from scripture and from the lives of the faithful that are waiting to be told! And there are means to share them, if we are willing to find them. So let's engage with the stories - especially in this Advent time that encourages hope and history - and excite the world with our faithful telling of the Good News of God.