Less than one week and counting
Can Christmas really be less than a week away? Where is the time going? Even more importantly, why am I not ready yet?
Well, I know why I am not ready....we've been broke for so long I wasn't able to start shopping until a couple of weeks ago...and then only a little at a time. But, as of know, the kids all have a huge pile of gifts hidden in our room. And it is silly really. They get presents from us, from their other parents, from Santa at 2 houses, and from 4 sets of grandparents. It is insane the amount of gifts they get. I just wish there was a way for me to help them to understand how blessed they are. That while we are wading through a room knee deep in gifts, there are children out there with no family to love them. Children who are cold and hungry on Christmas morning. I want our kids to appreciate their large families that adore them.
This year, I have been so humbled by the outpouring of support I have seen for my friends that lost everything in Hurricane Katrina and also when our own family has been in financial crises. There have been days where I literally didn't know how I was going to buy gas or groceries, and every time, somehow a way was provided. I want to pass these lessons on to our children. That we should Praise God for every blessing that comes our way, be it small or large. That we need to fully trust Him when things are difficult, even hopeless. And to know that no matter what happens, we will always have each other. No matter if we live in a shack, a humble house, or our dream home, the most important thing we will ever have is our faith in God and our family.
In a world that glorifies the commercialism of Christmas (and boy am I guilty of it too) how do we teach them what really matters? I do not want to do away with the beautifully decorated tree, the lights, the presents, the food. But, during all that hubbub, I want the real meaning of Christmas to shine through.
Any suggestions? We always bake a birthday cake for Jesus. Christmas morning, we read the story of the birth of Jesus. But, what else can I do to ensure our kids are learning the real meaning of Christmas?
And by the way, Merry Christmas, everyone!
posted by Andrea at 12:22 PM
4 Comments:
An interesting thought, but what about when signing who the gifts are from, writing from Santa "through" Jesus. Explain to the kids that although Santa may be the one giving them the gifts, none of this would be possible without the Grace of God and through Jesus. Everything we have, and everything Santa has comes through Jesus.
Might be a bit much, but it is an interesting way to keep Santa there, but putting the importance on Jesus.
It is obvious that your household celebrates Christ all through the year no need to worry about it all. Your handling it well.
You have Christ in your heart and that will shine through without any assistence. It sounds to me like you already have some traditions that are not based on the commercialism of Christmas....
My family always went to midnight mass on Christmas Eve, but even still there was no "spirit" of the true meaning of Christmas in our celebrations. Good luck to you!
Merry Christmas to you as well. I think you do a wonderful job of letting the light of Christ shine through you every day. It isn't something they can just learn in one day, it is something all of their life experiences will teach them. And you, my friend, are setting a fine example.
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