Susan Mayclin Stephenson

To see the YouTube video
CLICK: PRAYER

This song was written and the video created by the Stephenson family years ago. We are sharing it again because it is becoming more and more important to pray for our earth. Our son, Michael Olaf, is singing and playing the music. Susan took the pictures. The lyrics are by all of us. There are pictures from my Montessori work in Bhutan, Holland, India, Israel, Nepal, Palestine, Russia, Sikkim, Sweden, Thailand, and Tibet.

Here are the lyrics and some of the pictures you will see watching the video. We hope you enjoy this peek into our own home in Trinidad, California, and places around the world—the people, the plants and animals, the water, the mountains, and the sky:

Tomorrow is Christmas; I’ve nothing to give. (Home – sunset: Tibet – a family near Lhasa)
But that doesn’t keep me from wanting to live (Jordan River – rainbow)
Not dreaming of future or memories past (Home – grandson walking on the beach)
But that I’ll remember to make Christmas last (Home – family Christmas tree)

The snowfall that glistens like teardrops from heaven (Bhutan – prayer flags in the snow)
The carols reflecting the joy on your face (Home – Jim Stephenson singing with grandson)
Christmas is not just for shopping and cooking (Sweden – a child baking bread in an IC)
But for being in the moment and loving this place (Home – grandson in a field of flowers)

A prayer for the earth is one thing I can give (Home – grandchildren sitting in the redwoods praying for the earth – the first picture above)
May we wake up and help our dear planet to live (sky – taken from an airplane)
A prayer for the trees, the clean water, the sky (Home – grandchild playing on the beach)
Caring for others without asking why (Bhutan – a child helping in a Montessori Class)

I send you good tidings for a better next year (Jerusalem – a holy place for prayer)
Not for more things, but for time to be here (Home – exploring beautiful moss)
Time with your family, yourself, and your friends (Home – family board games)
And wishes for patience and making amends (Israeli-West Bank wall, painted by Susan and a friend)

Tomorrow is Christmas I’ve said it before (Home – Christmas tree)
May you waken to peace and good feelings galore (Home – redwood tree)
May you waken to gratitude and if you’re asked how (Russian – roses in a Montessori class)
Just tell ’em the secret of Christmas is NOW (Holland – Hugo de Vries butterfly garden)

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Musical Interlude (Bhutan mountain, Portland child with new baby sister, monkey in Dharamsala, India, West Bank olive trees)

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There is more about the meeting in Sikkim in the book Aid to Life, Montessori Beyond the Classroom.

CLICK: AID

Tomorrow is Christmas I’ve nothing to give (Nepal – broom seller)
But that doesn’t keep me from wanting to live (Sikkim Montessorians)
Not dreaming of future or memories past (Japan – traditional home in the mountains)
But that I’ll remember to make Christmas last (Sarasota, FL – my mother playing the harp)

 

A prayer for the earth is one thing I can give (Thailand – children meditating)
May we wake up and help our dear planet to live (Amsterdam – Montessori puzzle map)
A prayer for the trees, the clean water, the sky (Bhutan – prayer flags)
Caring for others without asking why (Bethlehem – menorahs and crèches)

Tomorrow is Christmas I’ve said it before (Snow driving from California to Oregon)
May you waken to peace and good feelings galore (Home – friend playing the piano)
May you waken to gratitude and if you’re asked how (Home – grandchild running, our beach)
Just tell ’em the secret of Christmas is NOW (waterfalls on the road to Portland, lotus flower in the Chinese tea garden in Portland)

This little video is shared around the world each year, ending up in such places as a news website in Nepal, and even a version created with subtitles in the Czech language.

Many of the experiences around the world have been shared in my books. Here is a link to these books on Amazon but they are also available on Amazon in other countries and from the publisher.

CLICK: Montessori Books

A blessed Solstice and Holiday season to all.

Susan and Family

www.susanart.net