Christmas has to be one of my favorite times of the year. I love looking for just the right gift for someone. I love the joy and excitement, the wonder and awe. I especially love watching it all unfold through the eyes of my little guy. At two he is all in to the wonder and awe and not into the greedy I want toys stage. He doesn't even really know that you get toys at Christmas. He whispers to the tree.... "wow, it's so beautiful!", "Wow.... look at that!", "Good morning tree, how are you?". He is excited about the advent calendar and moving the bear through the house because it means he gets to play with the little bear. He loves to look at lights and touch the ornaments and he loves to play with baby Jesus in the stable and look at "the star in the East" as he calls it.
For Christians especially there is lots of controversy surrounding Christmas, especially Santa. This is something I have been thinking about a lot recently because I know that next year Jackson will understand, oh presents come at Christmas and Santa comes... (I am kind of sad because some of that sweet unselfish innocence will be gone). Some say, don't tell them about Santa, some say tell them he is fake, some say let them believe and then they will eventually grow out of it. I think I am of the mind to tell him about Santa, but not about the North Pole and reindeer and elves Santa but about St. Nicholas, the "real" Santa and how he was a person who gave to those in need. How we give gifts to others because God gave to us.
The fun thing about having your own family is starting traditions... one that I am leaning toward is that everyone receives 3 gifts because that is what the wise men brought to baby Jesus. Another is the celebration of Dia de los Reyes, or the Day of the Kings in Jan where they celebrate the wise men bringing gifts to baby Jesus. I think it is a neat celebration that keeps in mind the true story of Christmas, and since my great-grandparents are from Spain it would be fun to celebrate some of that heritage. (On Dia de los Reyes children put out shoes with hay in it for the camels to eat and the kings leave them small gifts in return.)
No matter what we decide on, one thing is a given here... there will always be a nativity to play with and bedtime Bible stories for the month of December will consist of reading the Christmas story over and over and over until Jesus' birthday.
This year we will be making a birthday cake for Jesus too (I'm excited about having Jackson help me with this).
No matter what your traditions, beliefs on Santa, etc. My biggest prayer and hope is that the love of God will be shown to you this Christmas as we reflect on his love for us and the gift of His son!
Merry Christmas!
Playing with his nativity
He made sure everyone was able to see baby Jesus :-)
