The Soul

These weeks are busy ones as I prepare for Christmas, both at home and at church.

While substituting in a public school this week, I taught a lesson on December holidays to a music class. I found a beautiful German medieval song in my collection and shared it with the classes. In the song there is a reference to the soul. As this is not a usual concept for elementary children, I asked if anyone could tell me what the soul is. One first grade girl, quite precocious, gave an answer adults would not and could not give. "The soul," she explained, "is the place in your body where you put the good thoughts." I doubt a theologian could do much better. Certainly in terms of simplicity and brevity I don't think this child's definition can be topped. It puts together body and spirit and also good will. That surely is the purpose of this time of year.