ARE you familiar with the Christmas song, The Greatest Gift of All, by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton? What do you think is the central theme of the song? Did you say, “Love?” That is a perfectly legitimate view. Let us expound on the theme.
Firstly, how does the Bible define love? “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance….But love will last forever!” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8; NLT). Furthermore, “Three things will last forever–faith, hope, and love–and the greatest of these is love” (V.13). All in all, love is the strongest, yet, the most complex emotion.
What is the impact of love on our lives? When exercised, love promotes our physical, emotional, mental, social, spiritual and, also, educational wellbeing. According to an article on the subject of health and wellness by Canopy Health (2017), many studies have shown that a healthy and supportive relationship–familial, romantic, friendship, or otherwise–can be linked to higher self-esteem, increased sense of self-worth, and improved self-confidence. Additionally, it reduces anxiety, lowers the chance of developing depression or other forms of mental illness. No matter what form in which love comes, it helps people to experience joy, affection, and a sense of security–three indispensable ingredients in human wellbeing.
What is the source of love? Of paramount importance to Christians is the truth that God is love, and love comes from God. Our heavenly Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Jesus gave His life for us; to save us from hell–this is love! To corroborate this statement, the origin of love is beautifully captured in the following text: “God is love; and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect” (1 John 4:16-17; NLT).
The love of Jesus Christ is so powerful, beautiful, and pure that it can change lives for the better, and forever. Certainly, it can! Tam (2014) in her article titled, “Love Makes the World Go Round….” describes how finding love saved her from a life of misery. The author states that as an unwanted, abused, and neglected child in Hong Kong, she hungered for love. She did everything she thought would bring her love, or at least attention. She tried to behave as she thought they wanted her to, study hard, do as she was told, and be responsible, and so on. In spite of her best efforts she was faced with rejection, ridicule, and hardship. Interestingly, what kept her from hating and belittling herself was her grandfather (who died when she was seven years old) who gave her two names which were the names of two Chinese emperors. Consequently, she held deeply a belief in her heart that her grandfather must have thought that she was worthwhile, and that she was going to be somebody one day. In her words, “I must have value since this venerable man gave me the same name as two illustrious and respected historic figures.” Tam, indeed, lived up to her ideals, and became an author, a speaker, consultant, and an executive business coach.
To date, how many Saint Lucian children, teenagers, and young adults are fortunate to have people in their lives who believe in them, and think they are special? How many love themselves, and believe they were born for a reason or have a purpose in the world? How many are enjoying or experiencing a life of love, joy, and contentment? And, as growing children, how many have even heard of the word love addressed to them? Fortunately, my parents taught me (and my siblings) to love myself and others.
I recall, as a young child, my loving dad would sit me down on his lap while he and my loving mom were engaging in conversation at home and ask me the question, “Je-Jean, who you love more, me or your mommy?” Dad would put me on the spot, and I had to think deeply and quickly for an appropriate answer because I did not want to hurt either of them. So, my response would always be, “Both of you, daddy!” My parents would then have a hearty laugh at what they thought was a sensible response, thereby, forcing me to enjoy and comprehend the social milieu which they had created just for me–a social and cultural milieu of love, joy, peace, security, and assurance. More importantly, when my dad and mom spoke words of love to me, they expected me to reciprocate with some remark of my own, and I did. Thereafter, the word love and what this meant resonated with me.
Let us, at this juncture, turn our attention from the home to the school. Do Saint Lucian schools promote a loving school environment in word and action? According to Hoyle and Slater (2001) in their article, “Searching Accountability for a Loving School Environment,” assert that in our struggle to be globally competitive, in the ways that we implement accountability, we are losing sight of the one ingredient that, if given its proper place, is most likely to help us achieve our goals. This ingredient is love, and certain conditions are necessary if it is to be part of the schooling process. The authors make it clear that love is the most powerful corrective measure that we have, as educators, for those self-destructive tendencies that the youth exhibit in school and, ultimately, in society.
Christmas season signifies the birth and love of Jesus Christ for humanity. Therefore, the greatest gift of all that parents and schools are called to give every day to the youth is the love of Jesus, and how it calls them to be loving, caring, and responsible individuals at home and in society. Society, then, will be significantly better.
Merry Christmas, and a joyful and prosperous New Year, 2023!