Now before we get any boos or hisses, we love to give gifts. We aren't anti-Santa. I think the way he worded it was, "Santa is a fun idea, but its really been bugging me how Christmas has become all about the stuff, and Santa gets all the glory. And then, 'oh yeah, kids, and don't forget its Jesus' birthday today." And we give Jesus an obligatory mention almost as an afterthought.
"Hun," he continued, "What if we could teach our kids that all of this excitement, all of the lights, all of this (he motioned toward the decorations filling our girl's room) are because of Jesus. Because He is the best thing to ever grace planet earth, and this is why we celebrate. All of this...for Him."
Something deep in my spirit resonated with this. Sure, we tell are children Christmas is about Jesus, but I can't help but wonder, are they getting the message? What do you find your children speaking most about in regard to Christmas? Is it an unending want list? There is nothing wrong in anticipating the joy of opening gifts; that is part of the magic. But only an itty bitty, miniscule part.
So I have no answers. But I'd love to hear your ideas. How do we paradigm shift our focus for our families? Because to be honest, we have so very much materialistically. Our children are becoming spoiled by the excess. And with excess, it is easy to become obsessed with our own pleasure and numb to the bigger picture.
I am not purposing we ditch Santa. He is a fun idea. But how do we put Jesus in his rightful place this season and Santa in his?
looking foward to your insight,
ejk
5 comments:
In our family, Santa doesn't bring a whole lot, he brings one "gift" each or one family gift and then the stocking stuffers - which are usually a treat or two and socks, undies, etc. So fun, yes, but not overly materialistic.
Also, this year we are starting a tradition of each person getting 3 gifts - one for each gift the Baby Jesus was given. If three were enough for HIM, it is enough for US. Also, for each gift there will be one thing given away - to Salvation Army or the like - of the same value. Not the broken and unused toys, but a sacrafice of a "good" toy or outfit.
PLUS, when they are a little older we would like to get involved in some kind of program, maybe a meals on wheels thing, which would let us go out and give before we recieve on Christmas morning.
These are just our ideas, that and making a craft a day that tells a piece of THE Christmas story.
We try to focus on the Christmas story the whole month of December. I love how the preschool class at church focuses on a different part of the story each Sunday for the whole month of December.
We have a little people Nativity that we put up and we discuss gifts in the context of the reason we give is because God first gave to us. On Christmas morning we don't open any gifts until after we've read the Christmas story.
We have chosen not to "do" Santa. We've never given our kids gifts from Santa and we've been truthful about him when they've asked. We have a book about St. Nickolas and talk about Santa as a character (similar to Mickey Mouse).
These are just some of our ways of trying to stay focused on the real meaning of Christmas. I'm looking forward to reading more idea from others.
A couple things...I'm just facing the same thing with my little one. It's his first Christmas where he's getting really excited (16 months old). So some of our gifts this year will be to start traditions for next year.
1) Operation Christmas Child is awesome!
2) We're making an advent calendar that has little magnetic boxes for each day of December before Christmas. Each day Elliot will get to open a box with a verse about Jesus, his love, and why he came, along with a little trinket or something to symbolize the point of the verse.
3)We're not really doing Santa either. But we will be celebrating St. Nicholas day. Focusing on the real man and how he served others for Christ. You leave your shoes out by the door the night before St. Nicholas day and in the morning they're filled with candy. (If you read about St. Nicholas this will make sense).
4) A tradition my parents started that we're carrying on is that every Christmas, the whole family gathers on our bed and reads the Christmas story from Scripture and we pray together as a family.
5) This year we are planning on going through all of our toys and clothes before Christmas and giving away a bunch of stuff to our local community mission.
Let me just tell you that your blog and you and Aron's heart as you raise your children has been a blessing to me! Thanks!
I love Becky's ideas! I'm borrowing some...
Sorry about two comments in a row. A friend of mine emailed me this website:
http://www.hubbardscupboard.org/christmas.html
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