Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him.
Luke 2:41-45 NRSVue
3 For he is our lifelong pattern; daily, when on earth he grew,
he was tempted, scorned, rejected, tears and smiles like us he knew.
Thus he feels for all our sadness, and he shares in all our gladness.
Once in Royal David's City Voice United 62
Free-range young Jesus? You may be aware that this story in Luke goes on to describe how Mary and Joseph found Jesus with the elders and teachers in the Temple and his well-known "what's your problem, I'm in my Father's house" response", which perplexed them. The precocious Jesus is the usual emphasis but as the year's go by I am more intrigued by the freedom this child had to roam about on a multi-day walk of about 145 kilometres from Nazareth to Jerusalem. It took a day for Holy Mom and Dad to realize that he was missing. They would probably be charged with neglect today, but this fits with the earthy God-with-us. The hymn line 'when on earth he grew" must surely include exploration and tumbles near misses and getting lost, in the midst of the wonder of Creation.
The other day I saw yet another article about a "classroom without walls", this one about the 80 or so nature schools in New Zealand. There are others pieces from Denmark and the United States and other countries. I have come upon two outdoor pre-schools in Quinte Conservation Areas and I think they are wonderful. I was taken by a photo of the Kiwi kids feeding eels which would cause a lot of Canadian parents to faint dead away. What wonderful opportunities these are for children. Isn't it strange that an education outdoors tends to be either for the well-heeled or the poor?
Over the Christmas break we took our two Trenton grandchildren, 8 and 11, for outings, one in Prince Edward County and the other on Amherst Island. A parent was present for the latter but both parents are relaxed about the kids going with us hither and yon. Through the seasons we have camped with them and paddled with them, seeing all manner of creatures. On these recent outings we saw coyotes (from the vehicle) and bald eagles swooping down on rafts of ducks as we crossed on the ferry.
We realize that while we are doing something with and for them, we benefit from their exuberance and sense of wonder. We feel younger and more alive when we are with them, even as we are gaining more grey hairs with their moderate risk-taking.
Are they like the free-range child Jesus? In some ways they must be, although maybe not in the sibling poking and prodding in the back seat -- kids will be kids!
4 comments:
My granddaughter, Alyssa, had had her children at "Forest School" several times, and posted delightful pictures on her facebook page. They do not shy away from critters at all, and can tell tales about trees and flowers - they even pick out potted flowers for family gifts !
These Forest Schools are such a great idea, and as I've said before, we need an equivalent in our congregations -- where there are still children! Thanks for sharing this personal connection Judy.
Our two grand-children in Denmark went to Forest School, common in that country. They had to have changes of clothing in their cubby because they could easily be out in the rain. The apparatus was woodsy and adventurous. They gained confidence by by "doing". If there were mishaps, then the teachers felt that there could be learning from that for the next time. Independence is encouraged there.
Maybe this contributes to a society that self-regulates. We notice very little visible police presence, very few warning signs. KB
Why am I not surprised that Denmark has adopted this approach to education?I am convinced that no matter our age learning in and from the natural world is healthy for body, and spirit. We have become increasingly urbanized here in Canada when such a wonderful reality is so close at hand. Thanks for sharing this perspective, Kathy.
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