Hallmark Ornaments: By Symbol
-Soldiers, Nutcrackers and Bands-
What do soldiers, nutcrackers and marching band members have in common? Discipline, of course. What do you think of when you hear the word "Discipline?" Perhaps it evokes images of old fashioned child management at school, with the strap and dunce cap. Many of us can remember when "discipline" meant some kind of physical or verbal interaction, and was usually negative discipline.
Maybe the word "discipline" means lots of rules and regulations to you, about how "X" is allowed but "Y" is not, and the ensuing consequences of the punishment you will receive if you are not disciplined enough to follow the rules.
But the word "discipline" actually comes for the Latin word disciplīna, meaning "instruction, to train." It is from the word "discipline" that we get the idea of "disciple." In its natural sense, discipline is systematic instruction intended to train a person in a craft, trade or other activity, or to follow a particular code of conduct or "order." A good understanding of discipline reveals that it is a systematic, or repeated and progressive, way of formation with the end result of transformation of the person. And most importantly, the real fruit of discipline is the training of the interior of a person, in the mind, thoughts and disposition. We see the external fruits of discipline only when training has already taken place internally.
In the Christian life, we can name the fruits of discipline, or the fruits of discipleship - we call them the fruits of the Holy Spirit. They are charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control and chastity. Certainly we see Jesus himself as the greatest model of each of these fruits. The symbols of soldiers, nutcrackers and even band members are also all good examples of active discipline, or disciples in training. Read on for a more detailed explanation.
Maybe the word "discipline" means lots of rules and regulations to you, about how "X" is allowed but "Y" is not, and the ensuing consequences of the punishment you will receive if you are not disciplined enough to follow the rules.
But the word "discipline" actually comes for the Latin word disciplīna, meaning "instruction, to train." It is from the word "discipline" that we get the idea of "disciple." In its natural sense, discipline is systematic instruction intended to train a person in a craft, trade or other activity, or to follow a particular code of conduct or "order." A good understanding of discipline reveals that it is a systematic, or repeated and progressive, way of formation with the end result of transformation of the person. And most importantly, the real fruit of discipline is the training of the interior of a person, in the mind, thoughts and disposition. We see the external fruits of discipline only when training has already taken place internally.
In the Christian life, we can name the fruits of discipline, or the fruits of discipleship - we call them the fruits of the Holy Spirit. They are charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control and chastity. Certainly we see Jesus himself as the greatest model of each of these fruits. The symbols of soldiers, nutcrackers and even band members are also all good examples of active discipline, or disciples in training. Read on for a more detailed explanation.
![]() Smiling Small Soldier
2010 But lest we forget, we also benefit from the fruits of discipline. As this small soldier shows, we gain peace, patience and even joy from a life of discipleship. Scripture tells us that God loves a cheerful giver. This does not, however, mean that God is happy when we give our stuff away, if we are only follow some rule of sharing, like checking of a box. Instead, if we are happy when we share then we are already participating in the life of God, who shares all with us. This is the meaning of the older brother in the story of the Prodigal Son. Although the older son had given his life to the service of his father, and to doing what is expected of him - of following the rules of his time - he is not happy, especially when confronted by someone who has in no way submitted to a life of discipline. The outward giving and serving of the older brother's life had not transformed him interiorly. So this ornament reminds us that the life of discipleship is one in which the disciple also receives joy. As St. Francis says, "it is in giving that we receive, and in dying that we are born to eternal life." Come to think of it, is this ornament really a soldier? He could also pass as a doorman at a fancy apartment building. And that is certainly another example of a "small"* life, lived at the service of others. Where do you find joy? And where do you need to find it? *click "small" to see what I mean by a "small" life ![]() Sweet Little Soldier
2008 artist: Sue Tague This ornament shows another side of the disciplined life - the need to practice. As the saying goes, we are practicing Catholics, not completed Catholics. And the more we practice, the better we get. The more we are able to perform well in the test or trial or challenge or whatever. This sweet little soldier plays his drum in time to several Christmas songs, a feat that in life would take a long time and a lot of practice to achieve. This particular ornament calls to mind the need to practice in its nod to the British Royal Guards, an iconic symbol of loyalty and steadfastness (see photo to the right) No matter the weather, these guards are outside serving and watching, day after day. Even though tourists may go to great lengths to get a laugh or smile out of the guards, we can all imagine that this is not the most exciting job in the world. Yes, they do get a snappy uniform and worldwide recognition, but they also have to stand and walk all day and don't see much besides tourists and cameras. But they still show up, day after day. Watching, walking, turning, repeating, over and over. Practicing. So the logical question is Why Bother? Why do they keep showing up? And the answer has to be that they believe in being part of something bigger than themselves. In the case of the Royal Guards, they must take pride in continuing a tradition that was there before them and will be there after them. It has meaning to them, and they believe in that meaning. And the answer is the same for us. Why should we keep practicing, and practicing our faith over and over? Only if we believe in the meaning behind what we are doing. The tedium and monotony of the nature of practice is sometimes the test itself. Can you keep practicing, even when it's boring and routine? Can you keep showing up? Nutcrackers |
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