Woodland Treasure

Today, my kids made Nativity scenes with their friends, at a homeschool club they attend together. We had gathered all sorts of natural materials for the occasion.

The Holy Baby was rocks or twigs. Mary and Joseph were cutout leaves. The angels sported fungus wings, beautiful ivory and sea-green-striped fungus wings. The trough was grass, wilted and golden in its cold-weather collapse.

I wish I had a camera to take pictures, but I didn’t. We left the scenes on location. And when they’re done bringing joy, we can return them to the woods, no environmental impact.

Wouldn’t it be grand if every kid’s club, every school (home or otherwise) would ditch the plastic, and paper, and vinyl, and foam, and so on, and so on materials?

This would be a greater challenge for city schools, but still; maybe they could ditch the take-home projects and concentrate on reusable materials. Digital photos posted on classroom blogs could serve as a lasting testament and communication to parents.

Just think of the creativity that would be required in hunting-gathering. Just think of the learning those little fingers could take in, the appreciation those little eyes could develop… and, perhaps, an honor for the beauty and complexity of creation.

“Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways, and how small a whisper we hear of Him!” Job 26:14

Yarrow photo by Sonia.