A person who has a truly merry heart displays good will and a generous spirit in his or her daily life. Among the many tough issues that children deal with, peer pressure is one of the most difficult. Peer pressure can dictate what clothes children wear, what music they listen to, what television shows they watch, what things they read, and, more seriously, whether they develop unhealthy habits and attitudes. This issue should help children develop a strong sense of themselves as unique children of God, children who are loved even though they may seem different from the crowd. It should also help children identify ways that they can resist temptations when being pressured by their peers.
True heroes seem hard to find.
Perhaps instead of looking to the media for a hero, however, we should look around our own neighborhoods, communities, churches, schools, and homes. We also want children to be able to recognize their own potential as everyday heroes for others. The theme of hospitality and welcoming seems perfect for November, a month when many people realize and give thanks for all that they have and therefore often feel like sharing with others. It should help children understand what this season is really about and what Jesus' birth means for them and for the world. It should also help them know that the love, peace, joy, and giving spirit of Christmas are for the whole year.