Christmas Program for 2Five2

I know it has been over a week since Christmas but we wanted to share about the excitement of the Christmas program we had for 2Five2 last December 23rd.  All month the kids in the catch-up school were learning the story of the birth of Jesus through stories being read to them by their teachers, and a daily coloring book of all the characters from the story.  Being that this was the first time they have ever been told about Mary, Joseph, the angel, and of course the all important baby Jesus they were in awe of the importance of the story.  Decorations were hung, and coloring pages adorned our walls and our staff was excited to see in culminate to our celebration on the 23rd.

Each class sung (well, really just yelled) a song they had been learning all month, and got to watch the other classes perform as well.  We read the full story from Luke, and played a question game after complete with prizes to see how much the kids had learned throughout December, and even watched a Khmer kids Christmas film.  The celebration ended with a meal for everyone and a gift bag for each kid containing a toothbrush, toothpaste, and soap.  (The demonstration on how to brush your teeth was also a cultural experience that was hilarious to watch.)

However, my favorite part of the whole day was talking with an older 14 year old student about what he liked most about the Christmas story and then told us, "the part I like the most is that my teacher told us that God sent Jesus to be with us because He loves us so much.  I like the idea that He loves us a lot."

If each of us could only walk away with that piece of truth at the end of each Christmas season then I think we would all enter our New Year with a true since of peace.

Pictured above: Opening prayer time, Grade 1 singing their song, the question game, eating lunch on the floor.