Merry Christmas

It has been a little tough for me to get into the Christmas spirit this year.  I don't know why, but it has just taken a little longer.  What I thought was going to be a relatively calm month, has turned into crazy busy-ness every night with either Greg or myself or our entire family gone.  And I really am extremely concerned with the "consumer" side of Christmas and teaching my children the true meaning.  Every Family Home Evening this month has been spent in some sort of service for others.  I am frantically trying to teach this principle, and I don't know if my kids are really old enough to "get it," but we'll just keep trying and hopefully it will sink in at some point.  

Having said that, I've kind of been inundated this week with criticism on the commercialism of Christmas and Santa and all that jazz.  And for all of you who know me well, you know it doesn't take much to get me to feel guilty.  I am just kind of sick of feeling guilty for enjoying this side of Christmas.  We got a "Christmas Card" that said "We Believe in Jesus and Not Santa."  On one column, they listed everything about Santa compared to everything about Jesus (maybe 12-15 items).  For example, "Santa comes once a year" compared to "Jesus is always there for us."  Another one said "Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly" compared to "Jesus has a heart full of love."  It isn't that I necessarily disagree with this.  I certainly don't pray in Santa's name.  

I would just like to say that I do believe in Santa.  You have to realize that my mother still signs "From, Santa" on our gifts (and her youngest is 19).  I love all the magic that comes with this time of year, and I think a global image of a man dedicated to serving children and all mankind is a very, very good thing for our society.  Santa is a metaphor for Christ.  I don't know who is more excited on Christmas morning - the kids, Greg, or myself.  The kids are excited because they do believe in all the magic.  Greg is excited because he doesn't do any of the shopping or wrapping (just the funding).  I don't know who is more eager when Austin opens a new Lego Star Wars ship - Austin or Greg.  And I can hardly sleep with anticipation because I love - absolutely love - to watch their reactions.  It is my best and favorite Christmas gift.  The gift of pure, innocent happiness and laughter.  I am blessed because I have kids that don't have long lists (yet), and they get so excited over every little thing.  They are excited for themselves and for others.  They are just excited about someone opening a gift that they picked out as they are to receive their own gifts.  My kids literally bounce around the house, and they are so very happy.  Even though we have a very modest Christmas morning, I love being the creator of the magic.  It does bring peace and joy to our home. 

 

We finally had our FHE on Thursday night this week.  We read "Christmas Day in the Morning."  This is the classic Christmas story by Pearl Buck about the boy who gives his father a Christmas present by milking the cows all by himself one morning.  We have this beautiful picture book which keeps the kids more engaged.  I loved the preface by the illustrator.  He tells about one year when his kids (then 10 and 7 years old) heard this classic story in church and woke up at 2 in the morning on Christmas Eve to clean the kitchen and living room for their mother who was hosting a big family party the next day.  He was so touched that he decided to illustrate the story.  

After we read the book, we drew names to be "Secret Santa" for a week.  Since Macy cannot keep a secret, she pulled out the first name.  I could tell it was my name, so I told her that Dad could help her open it and read it.  After whispering in her ear, Macy turned to me and said, "I have you Mom."  I then asked her if she knew what a secret was.  She said, "no."  She doesn't quite "get" it, but she is trying.  Yesterday, she cleared my dinner plate for me without any prompting from anyone.  And we have learned that it is best not to let her in on any more Christmas secrets.  

Austin drew out a name and excitedly exclaimed, "I got the one I wanted!"  He ran over to me and whispered in my ear, "Mom, are the dishes in the dishwasher clean?"  I told him that I would run the dishwasher that night so they would be clean the next morning.  At 6:20 a.m., Greg and I heard him up in the kitchen.  He was doing Macy's chore for her - putting the clean silverware away.  And this morning, he ran right in and made her bed for her.  I don't know what warmed my heart more - the fact that Macy was the person that he most wanted to serve or his sincere efforts to ease her burden this week.  

Merry Christmas to all of you - however you choose to celebrate.  At my house, I hope and pray that we can feel the love and peace and testimony of Christ and that first Christmas night right along with the magic of the Season.  May you all find peace and joy this Christmas day.