Faith Stories

An Inner-City Lion’s Den

(The following faith story was recorded several years ago by long-time St. Andrew’s member Beverly Vanstrum.  She passed away peacefully on Dec. 4 after a courageous struggle with Parkinsons.)

One Christmas season when I was teaching Special Ed Kindergarten in the inner city, I received this memo from my downtown supervisor: “Be sure you don’t display any religious symbols in your classroom this month.”  I showed it to my aides, Doris and Bev.  I had always been irritated by the Supreme Court decision that allowed administrators to make teachers pretend that Christmas doesn’t exist.  I especially thought it should be explained to the immigrant children.  I said to my aides, “I think I’m going to bring a manger scene for my table.”  “Not a good idea,” said Doris and Bev agreed, but I did it anyway.

I never talked about the display to the children.  I didn’t have to because someone in every group was happy to share what they knew.  Then one day the supervisor who sent the memo came to visit.  I jumped up, keeping my body between him and the manger, walked up to him, grabbed his arms and swung him around so his back was to the manger.  I gave him a warm welcome with happy chatter while Doris grabbed the manger and threw it in the file drawer to the amazement of the children.  Then my supervisor, warmed by the friendly response, said, “I think I’ll stay and watch you teach a lesson today.”  I looked at the six children at my table and sensed they were anxious to tell me what happened to the manger scene.  Surely someone would say, “She threw Baby Jesus in that drawer!”

I sat down and began the lesson in rapid fire fashion.  I was so nervous that perspiration was causing my bangs to creep into my eyes.  Finally he said, “Well, it’s almost lunch, have to move on.”  When the door closed, Bev shouted, “It’s a miracle.  It’s like Daniel in the lion’s den.  He closed their mouths!”  I was so relieved that tears came to my eyes.

Now children can’t stand seeing their teacher cry.  They decided that teacher missed her manger scene.  So they opened the drawer and carefully put back each piece.  While I watched the children, my heart was saying, “Thank you, Jesus – thank you for your protection.”