Christmas

This is a post from my other blog from last christmas. Read this first.

I wanted to share what we believe about Christmas and what we plan to teach our children. Christmas is supposed to be a celebration of Jesus birth and how he came to this earth to save us all right? That’s a good thing to celebrate and for those that do so as unto the Lord that’s great. But we believe as Christians we are supposed to celebrate Jesus’ birth every single day of our lives. To acknowledge who He is and what He did for us and in our words and actions show praise and thankfulness to Him every day. Not just once a year. I have also heard that Jesus wasn’t even born in December and that the story of the three wisemen is only half true because they came a long time after he was born. The history is all mixed up and I don’t even really care about little details like that but why should I tell that story to my kids when I know its not correct? I will simply go right to the bible. Christmas isn’t mentioned in the bible. It’s a man-made holiday probably with good intentions but has since gotten out of hand.

I want to look up more info on the history of Christmas and how the Christmas tree was started and candy canes and all that stuff. That kind of stuff has nothing to do with Jesus and he couldn’t care less about stuff like that. There is nothing wrong with them don’t get me wrong but I just wonder why we all do what we do? So many of us just do things because our parents did it or its what everyone else did. Well I want to know why and have an answer for my kids when they ask why we do what we do.
As for Santa, we are not telling our kids about the north pole, the naughty/nice list, or coming down the chimney and making them believe in something only to find out its not real. A friend made a good point and said she told her kids about St. Nick and how he’s a nice old man who helped children who didn’t have much. I like that. In the future if my kids want to sit on his lap at the mall that’s fine but we’re not promoting it.

So as my husband says “Christmas is all about the presents”. That’s why we as 25 and 27 year olds are still excited about Christmas Day. The food and family and festive traditions are fun too! You may think that is a selfish perspective but think about it. Why do you do what you do? What makes what we do on Christmas a celebration of Jesus birth? Hmmm????

To sum it up, we love Jesus and are so thankful for His birth, resurrection, and salvation and we praise Him for that every day!! We do not believe Santa Clause to be an important or worth while thing to share with our children but will probably tell them the story of St. Nick. We do not celebrate Christmas as a Christian holiday but as a fun and beautiful time of year with silly but harmless traditions just like other holidays!!

So. Thats what I had to say last year. This year I sort of feel the same way but I am struggling a little. If Jesus isn't really the reason for the season and neither is Santa then what is the reason????? What the heck am I suposed to tell my kids about this crazy holiday. I feel really different this year. It doesn't really feel like Christmas to me and I am not sure why. I am getting older and Peter and I are not doing gifts for each other which is a bummer but is that what its all about? Uhg I dont know. Im still pondering all this.

And the thing about Santa. He's not all bad I just don't like the whole idea of him seeing you when you are sleeping and naughty and nice, it kind of makes him seem like God. And the fact that parents tell thier kids about him and they believe he is real (well some really believe) and then find out later that he isn't real and thier parents were not telling the truth. Why then should the kids believe them when they tell them about Jesus? ya know?

Anyway. These are some things I have been thinking about as the holiday approaches. I used to love Christmas when I was younger and it is just different now. I am trying to figure out what I want my kids to associate with this holiday. Maybe by next year I will have it all figured out! :)
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!