Each week the Calvin Christian faculty gathers on Monday morning for devotions to start our week.  A teacher leads devotions and prays for the faculty, parents, and students.  Last week elementary teacher Kevin Vos shared about Christmas.  I thought it was appropriate for all at Christmas and wanted to share it with you.

“Whatever the true origin of the Christmas tree, it has become a part of our Christmas traditions.  In our family, the tradition of getting the tree usually involves me going to Costco, paying for the tree inside, returning outside, and then selecting a tree from the back of a semi-truck.  There is no pulling out multiple trees, holding them up for the family to check over, and selecting the perfect specimen.  Now that Costco sells trees, those days are gone.  Instead, I look at the bottom of the trunk of the tree to see if it’s fresh and to ensure that it will actually fit into our tree stand.  That is the extent of my search.

When I arrive home to the excitement of my two daughters, I am left to make a fresh cut on the trunk, untie the tree, and trim any low hanging branches.  Then, my wife holds the tree while I wrestle it into the stand.  Together, we place it in front of the picture window.  Then, the moment of truth arrives.  Everyone in the family stands back and assesses the tree.

This year, our tree gets mixed reviews from me, not that I really care.  I have done my fatherly duty, but still, I guess there is a part of me that cares.  This tree will not rank in the list of nicest trees in the Vos household Christmas tradition.  At least there is a nice full, symmetrical side that we can face toward the room.  However, the rest of the tree leaves a little to be desired.  There is one side that has a section of what appears to be branches that are half lush and half brownish green.  The other side is what I describe as dented.  It doesn’t have the nice lines that I’d like it to have.  The other side faces the window because it looks pretty sparse.

The girls notice nothing, of course.  To them, it is a tree worthy of the White House.  My wife couldn’t care less.  To her, the main thing is that the tree is up and the boxes of decorations that were strewn all over the living room are now put away and that in the midst of the decorating chaos that my daughters created, the only casualty was one glass ball.

With that in mind, yesterday I noticed the perfection of a fake tree that we have in our church.  It’s symmetrical and full.  It is the perfect tree.  I thought about our tree in comparison and how the dents and dead spots and sparse areas were nowhere to be found on the artificial tree in front of me.  That’s when I decided that my tree is a reflection of me.  I am not perfect.  I have areas in my life that could use some improvement because they currently appear to be half-dead or sparse or not balanced.  And it’s okay that my tree and I are imperfect, because the only truly perfect tree that I know of is the cross, and the only perfect life that I know of died upon it.  Because of that perfection, my tree, my life, is a reflection of the grace that flows from that one perfect tree on which my Savior died.

Everyday, but especially this Christmas, I hope that God’s grace is evident all around you.”

In past blogs I have shared ways Faith and Learning are connected in counseling and in drama.  In this blog I would like to talk about how that happens in a particular subject area at the high school level.  In this case the subject area is mathematics and the teacher is Deborah Boonstra. 

Deb talked with me about general ways in which she connects faith and learning that could be true of all teachers at Calvin and she also shared some specific ways faith and learning are connected in mathematics.

Deb started our discussion by saying she teaches in a Christian school so that she can tell the truth about herself and her students.  We are all children of God, uniquely gifted, and created to be like our Father.  She also appreciates that she can share with students about her need and their need for saving grace and daily grace.

Telling the truth about our world and our place in it, and about how the world belongs to God and we are its caretakers are also essential to Deb’s teaching. 

Miss B, as she is affectionately known, introduces students to important mathematical concepts in light of God as creator and sustainer of the universe.  She points out that our Creator is far more complex than even the most complex math problems.  She regularly reminds students that the infinite God has made humans able to grasp and use the concept of the infinite, which is so important in the study of mathematics.

Mathematics is the language of science.  Science explores God’s creation.  Ms. B communicates to her students that they are learning the language they will need to describe what they see in God’s creation and perhaps even to extend their observations to new discoveries.

Students are reminded that they will need mathematical skills not only for science, but also for careers in carpentry, electricity, plumbing, landscaping, finance, etc. 

However, mathematics is taught, not just as a tool, but also for its own beauty and elegance.  Deb probably talks with students more about order and chaos than teachers in other disciplines.  Mathematics gives students the ability to think logically, and therefore to be more intelligent consumers and better stewards of God’s gifts.

Finally, mathematics students at Calvin are reminded that math, like music and language, separates us from the other creatures God has made.  Truly mathematics not only can but needs to be connected to a life of faith by a Christian teacher.

Calvin Christian is pleased to announce that longtime coach and athletic director Bill Stout, was presented with the prestigious Coaching Legend award at a banquet on Nov. 9. 

Bill was presented this award for his many years of coaching Cross Country.  He is the first Calvin Christian coach to be recognized this way.  His name will be in the Hall of Champions in Balboa Park along with all past recipients.  The award is based on success on the field or court, integrity, and being a positive role model for young people.

During his years as Cross Country coach Bill was known for encouraging all students to participate regardless of ability.  His teams won nine CIF-San Diego Section titles and finished as runners-up five times.  In 1999 his team finished fourth at the State Finals.

At the event honoring the new inductees Bill gave an outstanding speech.  I am including a link so that you can read it.

Congratulations Bill, thank you for doing it right for so long and for your well deserved award.