When I stand in front of my fifth grade class as a catechist, animated and enthusiastic, and mention “Easter,” I can see their eyes start to glaze over.
“Isn’t Easter just about coloring eggs and icing cookies?” their initial reactions seem to say. “Isn’t it a chance to eat chocolate and see family? Isn’t Easter just an old story we talk about over and over every year?”
I found this reaction when I started to talk to these kids about the wonder of Christmas, too.
“God became man!” I tell them. “He had dirt under his fingernails, scrapes on his knees, and it’s possible he drove his mother crazy with his climbing on the kitchen table.”
These kids are no different than many of the adults around each of us.
At what point did we lose the ability to gaze at the Baby in the manger with wonder? When did we start to think of it as just another obligation, just another gift-giving holiday, just another story?
At what point did the story of this God-Man dying and then rising from the dead become something boring? When was it changed from a Truth that changed the world into a myth that was trumped by a bunny and a bunch of candy?
Finding the excitement to these “old stories” is an important part of what the New Evangelization is, and we can start it right now, within our own homes.
Got a group of kids, either in a classroom or in your family room? Have a chance to talk to adults at a Bible study or on the golf course?
Ignite your passion and then…SHARE IT. We could all use some Good News, couldn’t we?
Copyright © 2012, Sarah Reinhard
Sarah Reinhard
Sarah Reinhard continues to be shocked and delighted that her life as a grown-up involve horses, writing, and sparkly dress shoes. In her work in the New Evangelization as a Catholic wife, mom, writer, parish employee, and catechist, she’s learned a lot of lessons, had a lot of laughs, and consumed mass amounts of coffee. She’s online at SnoringScholar.com and CatholicMom.com, and is the author of a number of books.
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