Nick asked me this morning "I have to be good at school 'cause God and Santa are watching me, right Mom?" Oops...Yes, the fact that Nick sees God and Santa as being magical equals on the balance scale is my fault. I speak highly of God, but I guess just as highly of Santa? In the excitement of planning for Christmas, (and of course all my Christmas shopping) I missed the boat on explaining the connection between Santa and God. It's important that my children understand what the Christmas holiday is all about. I want them to look forward to visiting with family, attending Christmas services at church, listening to AND understanding the story of the birth of Jesus. I cringe at the thought of someday having teenagers who look forward only to the gifts that the holiday will bring. I hope they will most look forward to visiting with loved ones (even those that don't give gifts) and celebrating at church with our family.
Luckily, it's Nov. 8th. I have more than a month to adjust the Christmas path that I've been steering my children (and lets be honest, myself) down. Maybe I'll stick with reading the kids 'Twas The Night Before Christmas and The Polar Express only once or twice a week and include The Birth of Jesus and The Christmas Story (The Bible Story) the other days of the week. Opening a dialogue with the kids about Jesus' birthday will surely excite them. For me, maybe a little less focus on the shopping, and a little more focus on those I'm shopping for? A little less concentration on how I'll get this tiny apartment decorated to my standards, and more on having fun decorating with my babies.
I know what you mean! I spent a lot of time telling my daughter about true meaning of Christmas and then I decided to quiz her. I asked "So who's birthday are we celebrating on Christmas?" and she joyfully shouts out "Santa Claus!"
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