Santa’s Presents and Christ’s Presence
This Christmas will be the first that I will share the tradition of Santa as a Mom. First, because Sophie is now old enough to participate. First, because Cammie and Courtney’s father and I made a decision to teach them that Santa was a fun but make-believe part of Christmas. First, because this tradition is important to my husband and marriage includes compromise.
I thought I would struggle more with this concept. I knew long before Sophie was concieved that Joe wanted Christmas for his child to include Santa. And I had stronger convictions over another holiday largely due to a serious incident that happened to me when I was three. But that’s another holiday, another post. Perhaps I’ll share that next October. The point is that we compromised.
I prayed a lot over this issue. And I have peace regarding this decision. However, I don’t want to lose sight of the primary reasons we chose to exclude “Santa” from Cammie and Courtney. One reason being that our children are taught to believe in these beings—Santa Clause, The Easter Bunny, The Tooth Fairy—and then one by one, they learn they are not real after all. All the while we are teaching them to believe in Jesus, whom they cannot physically see. The difference, however, is that we have genuine relationships with Jesus. Introducing Him to Cammie and Courtney went beyond sight. He needs no one to stand proxy for Him at the mall. Hopefully His Presence in our lives will be undeniable to Sophie as well. If not, something is indeed wrong.
Another concern was and still is the message of “getting” overshadowing the reality of what Christmas really is. What about the kid down the road who can’t understand why he was denied that special gift that his friend and many others received? But life is full of disappointments, right? And the same thing can be said of birthdays. Still, it makes my heart ache.
Over commercializing and the “gimme” mindsets have come and gone in my household throughout the years. And Santa could not be blamed. Every year do we not ask ourselves the same questions? How do I keep the holiday stress from taking the joy out of Christmas?
The pressures are overwhelming. We so want to give to our children and YES, teach them that giving is indeed the meaning behind the reason for this season. The ultimate gift was sent from on High, wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
After we were married, right away Joe and I decided to keep the girls’ gifts down to three as Jesus received three gifts from The Wise Men. Of course, they needn’t look for such costly gifts fit for a King. But then there are the stockings. So was it really just three gifts? Hmmm…
And my thoughts on Santa continued…he isn’t omnipresent! God is! He doesn’t “really” know their names. He’s supposed to. At least that’s how the story goes. But you plop a kid on his lap and it’s the first thing he asks them. Jesus knows their names. And why does Santa have to get credit for all of our hard work? Oh, I could go on and on but the point is clearly not condemnation over Santa.
Although the girls have made it clear what their expectations were for Sophie —”You ARE letting Sophie have Santa?”—they never appeared to be deprived or cheated. And as far as I know, I never had to worry about them “spilling the goods” to their friends and classmates. In fact, one of Courtney’s friends was quite angry when she found out the truth. Mostly with her mother, but also with Courtney who remained silent as she knew it was not her place to tell her. My sister, Jamie, found out the truth about The Easter Bunny when I was pregnant with Cammie. She was seven. She was not happy. “Why’d you say there was a rabbit if there isn’t a rabbit?” she asked my Mom. Most of all, she was perplexed. This weighed in on me as a woman with child.
So I was sure to share with my girls the Christmas story. Yet, I faced a moment once again with a perplexed child. Only this time, it was over the birthday Boy’s party. We often made birthday cakes for Jesus and sang Happy Birthday. One Christmas when Cammie was about three or four, she became quite upset when she realized that not only was the Guest of Honor not going to be present (at least not in the flesh), but neither were his friends. “Where’s Moses? Where’s all of His friends?”
And that’s what recently got me thinking. Where IS the Guest of Honor in all of our celebrating? Am I really including Him? With our without Santa, I’ve been guilty of getting caught up in the hype.
So now, as I find myself treading new territory and reflect on the sad condition of our world and the lack in the body of Christ, I want more than ever to move beyond the reality of my circumstances to the truth. This season will come and go. I want to give. I delight in giving my children gifts just as our Father delights in giving us His Kingdom. But if I neglect to share Him, it is all for naught. If I allow stress over the presents, I just might miss His Presence.
This Christmas I’ll step aside and allow the fat man in the red suit to take credit for granting the heart’s desires of my child.
But the main “Presence” I want to share… is Christ’s.
I visited various web pages however the audio quality for audio songs present at this website is actually fabulous.
Today, I went to the beachfront with my children. I found a
sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She
placed the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear.
She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is
completely off topic but I had to tell someone!
Have you ever thought about creating an e-book
or guest authoring on other blogs? I have a blog based upon on the same ideas you discuss and would love
to have you share some stories/information. I know my viewers would value your work.
If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to send me an email.
Truly when someone doesn’t know then its up
to other users that they will assist, so here it happens.
hello there and thank you for your information – I’ve definitely picked up anything
new from right here. I did however expertise some technical issues using this
website, since I experienced to reload the web site lots of times previous to I could get it to
load correctly. I had been wondering if your hosting is OK?
Not that I am complaining, but sluggish loading instances times will sometimes affect your placement in google and could damage your high-quality score
if advertising and marketing with Adwords. Well I’m adding this RSS to my e-mail and could look out for much more of
your respective fascinating content. Ensure that you update this
again soon.
Also visit my web page … Erotik Forum
Nice read, I just passed this onto a friend who was doing some research on that. And he just bought me lunch since I found it for him smile Therefore let me rephrase that: Thanks for lunch!
Do you have a spam problem on this website; I also am a blogger, and I was wanting to know your situation; we have developed some nice methods and we are looking to exchange
solutions with other folks, be sure to shoot me an email if interested.
There’s noticeably a bundle to learn about this. I assume you made certain good factors in features also.
This paragraph is genuinely a nice one it helps new web visitors, who
are wishing in favor of blogging.
Appreciation to my father who stated to me on the topic of this blog, this weblog is in fact
awesome.
Thank you, I’ve recently been looking for info approximately this subject for a while and yours is the best I’ve found out till now. But, what in regards to the bottom line? Are you positive concerning the source?
I don’t even know the way I finished up right here, but
I thought this post used to be good. I do not recognize who you are however definitely you’re
going to a well-known blogger if you happen to aren’t
already. Cheers!
Thanks for sharing your info. I truly appreciate your efforts and I will
be waiting for your next post thank you once again.
Somebody necessarily assist to make critically articles I might state.
That is the very first time I frequented your website page and so far?
I amazed with the analysis you made to create this particular publish
extraordinary. Fantastic task!
Yes! Finally someone writes about Техосмотр СПб.
I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here.
The sketch is attractive, your authored subject matter
stylish. nonetheless, you command get bought an impatience over that
you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably
come more formerly again since exactly the same nearly very often inside case you
shield this increase.
I’m not sure why but this web site is loading very slow for me.
Is anyone else having this issue or is it a problem on my end?
I’ll check back later and see if the problem still exists.
Hello mates, its wonderful post on the topic of educationand completely explained, keep it up all the time.
Howdy! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new iphone!
Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to all your posts!
Carry on the fantastic work!
It’s very trouble-free to find out any topic on web as compared to books,
as I found this article at this site.
Excellent beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your
web site, how could i subscribe for a blog website? The account aided me a acceptable deal.
I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast
offered bright clear concept
Excellent goods from you, man. I’ve be aware your stuff prior to and you are just
extremely wonderful. I actually like what you have acquired right here, really like what you’re stating and the best
way through which you are saying it. You’re making it
enjoyable and you continue to take care of to stay it sensible.
I cant wait to read far more from you. This is really a terrific site.
I’m not that much of a online reader to be honest but your blogs really nice, keep it up!
I’ll go ahead and bookmark your website to
come back in the future. All the best
Hi there to every body, it’s my first pay a quick visit of this blog; this blog carries amazing and
genuinely good data in support of readers.
Great post. I was checking continuously this blog and I
am impressed! Extremely useful information specially the
last part 🙂 I care for such information much.
I was looking for this particular information for a long
time. Thank you and good luck.
Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wished to say that I’ve truly enjoyed surfing around your blog posts. After all I’ll be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again soon!
This design is incredible! You definitely know how to keep a reader entertained.
Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Fantastic job.
I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented
it. Too cool!
Hello, after reading this remarkable piece of writing i am too
delighted to share my knowledge here with mates.
Right here is the perfect site for everyone who wants to understand this topic.
You know a whole lot its almost hard to argue with you (not that I personally would want to…HaHa).
You certainly put a brand new spin on a topic that has been discussed for many years.
Wonderful stuff, just great!
I think this is among the most significant information for
me. And i’m glad reading your article. But should remark on some general things, The site style is great, the articles is really
nice : D. Good job, cheers
It’s very easy to find out any matter on net as compared
to books, as I found this paragraph at this website.
Does your website have a contact page? I’m having a tough time locating it but, I’d like to shoot you an email. I’ve got some ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great site and I look forward to seeing it expand over time.
Valuable info. Lucky me I found your web site unintentionally, and I am surprised why this twist of fate did not happened in advance! I bookmarked it.
It is really a nice and helpful piece of information. I am glad that you shared this helpful information with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is a very well written article. I’ll make sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful info. Thanks for the post. I’ll definitely comeback.
Great post. I used to be checking constantly this weblog and I’m impressed! Extremely useful information specially the final part 🙂 I handle such info much. I used to be seeking this certain info for a long time. Thanks and best of luck.
Hi, its pleasant piece of writing on the topic of media print, we all be familiar with media is a enormous source of facts.
Really enjoyed this article, can you make it so I receive an alert email whenever you make a fresh update?
Nice post. I was checking constantly this blog and I’m impressed! Extremely useful info particularly the last part 🙂 I care for such information much. I was seeking this particular info for a long time. Thank you and good luck.
Wow, that’s what I was looking for, what a information! present here at this webpage, thanks admin of this web page.
Awesome blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A design like yours with a few simple adjustements would really make my blog stand out. Please let me know where you got your theme. Kudos
I was wondering if you ever considered changing the structure of your site?
Its very well written; I love what youve got to say.
But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so
people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text
for only having one or two images. Maybe you could space it
out better?
That is very interesting, You are an overly professional
blogger. I have joined your feed and stay up for seeking extra of your
excellent post. Also, I’ve shared your website in my social networks
Outstanding quest there. What occurred after? Thanks!
Hello. splendid job. I did not imagine this. This is a impressive story. Thanks!
Excellent site you’ve got here.. It’s difficult
to find good quality writing like yours these days. I truly appreciate people like you!
Take care!!
I think this is one of the most significant information for me.
And i’m glad reading your article. But should remark
on few general things, The web site style is perfect, the articles is really excellent : D.
Good job, cheers
That is really interesting, You’re an overly professional blogger. I’ve joined your feed and look forward to in quest of more of your wonderful post. Also, I have shared your website in my social networks!
Hello just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know a few of the pictures aren’t loading properly.
I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue.
I’ve tried it in two different browsers and both show the same results.
great publish, very informative. I wonder why the opposite specialists of this sector do not notice this.
You must proceed your writing. I’m sure, you’ve a huge readers’ base already!