My Thoughts on Christmas

With Christmas just a week away, I couldn't help but reflect on some of the different views on Christmas and the Traditions that many families have regarding this Religious Holiday.  I will warn you, this post could end up going a variety of paths similiar to the thought process of an individual with A.D.D.

...you've been warned.

Please buckle up and keep all arms and legs inside the moving vehicle for the duration of the ride.

You adventure is about to begin.


    So, Christmas.  The day that is celebrated that Jesus was born.  Some may argue with evidence that Jesus was not born on December 25th, but rather a different time of the year.  Regardless of when He was born, December 25th is the day that we CELEBRATE his birth.  Nothing else.  Just the gift of his birth.  Now, I'm not clear on how Santa Claus got involved, but I'm pretty sure he wasn't in the Manger when Jesus was born.  However, on the controversial topic of Santa, in our house, we believe.

  Chas is 11 and Bek is 7; and they both still believe.  I can contribute that to a number of things, perhaps naivity, my creativity with keeping the spirit alive, or just some of the traditions we've done at my house to keep them from questioning the 'reality' of Santa.  I think believing in Santa can be good and bad, especially for those gung-ho Christians who believe that the Commercializing of Christmas is too much. 

   I read an article my friend Lindsey sent a few weeks ago that summed up the reason "we believe" in my house; it's not so much about believing in Santa as it is believing in something that you cannot see.

   I believe in God, but I cannot see Him.
   I believe in Love, but I cannot touch it.
   I believe in Prayer, but I cannot hand it to you.
   I believe in Happiness, but I cannot taste it.
and...
   We believe in Santa, though we cannot see him.


I will tell you, things in my house get a little crazy around the holidays.  Much to my desire to keep the "Magic of Christmas" alive for my children for as long as humanly possible.  Several years ago, I thought my son might be 'on to' the situation with Santa, so I searched high and low for the little Red Elf that travels to the North Pole each night to tell Santa how everyone has been acting.  Low and Behold, one day "Elfis" showed up at our tiny apartment and has been creating the sweetest memories for my children ever since.

     I can't help it.  I just think about, say 20 years from now, when my children are parents, the stories they will tell my grandchildren about that crazy little Elf that used to hide and do naughty things in our house.  The same little Elf that will continue to make his fun little holiday appearance at "Grandma's House" in the future.  What joy that will bring me to hear them re-tell stories about a little stuffed Elf that delivered an abundance of happiness and excitement as children.

    "How does he get to the North Pole, Mommy?" ... I don't know, you just have to believe....
    "How did he get into that small space, Mommy?" ... I don't know, you just have to believe...
   
You just have to believe.


In life, you just have to believe.

You have to believe that in the hard times, you'll make it through.

You have to believe that everything, good and bad happens for a reason, whether you know it or not.

You have to believe that there is more to life than what is lying right in front of you...

...you just have to believe.

So, that's why I encourage my children to believe in Santa.  And maybe too, because I enjoy it also!

Santa has his own wrapping paper that is stored in the attic in a hidden spot an the kids never see it.  I think this has helped (me) to keep the spirit alive.

All my kids gifts are swiftly placed in the attic, and wrapped in the special paper when my kids are gone, this allows for no chance that they will wake up and hear me wrapping, see the gifts hidden in my closet, etc.  Santa also buys a few gifts for Mommy.... if Mommy acts surprised on Christmas morning by the new waffle maker, who else would've brought it but Santa? 

When we lived in a house that didn't have a fireplace, we left a Pewter Santa Key on our front door so he could get into our house... allowing very little opportunity for their imaginations to take them somewhere that I didn't have an answer.

I grew up with Christmases like no other.  I was raised an only child, and was so, so blessed on Christmas morning; more than necessary.  And i've always tried to do the same for my children.  I'm not sure whether that is good or bad, but the thrill of waking up Christmas morning to a plethora of gifts that Santa had dropped off was such a rush.

Best memories ever.

Many people are going to the 3 gift theory for the holidays, which I strongly support, especially after adding up receipts for my purchases throughout the season.  3 gifts just like Jesus received.  Novel Concept.

I read another family that does, "Something you WANT, something you NEED, something you can WEAR, and something to READ."   That's another fabulous idea too.

And I was a bit jealous this weekend as i was making out my list of things I'd bought the kids, to make sure their lists were equal gift numbers... it would be so much easier if I adopted the 3 or 4 gift rule. 

My kids are so lucky.  So, so lucky.

Or Spoiled.

Whichever you prefer.

And to be honest, with the exception of the 'feeling' and 'excitement' i had as a child on Christmas morning, I don't even really remember the gifts.

It's not about the gifts though.

Some of the best 'gifts' in life aren't about the things our parents bought for us.

It's about the experiences. 

The traditions.

The goodtimes... and some of the bad times too.

The way we felt loved.


I alternate Christmas Morning every other year; and my children go with their dad.  Is it tough to be alone on Christmas morning?  Absolutely.  But I don't think I'm any better than their dad to 'steal' that experience from him. 

On the years that I have my kids on Christmas morning, the three of us bake goodies during the evening on Christmas Eve and then drive the stuff to the State Police Post and Paid Fire Stations in Anderson to let those on duty know that we are thinking about them and appreciate what they do.

Chas and Bek remember this every.single.year.

They have never said to me, "remember last year when you got me that super cool ________ (fill in the blank)." 

Never.

They always remember baking a Jesus Birthday Cake, dropping off goodies at the Police Station and saying Goodbye to Elfis.

Sweet, sweet traditions.


If there was to be a Mom of the Year award, I would certainly not win it.  This post omitted the many, many times that I have yelled... cried.... been so frustrated I could've just walked away from it all. 

But if there was anyone, that has tried so hard to make her kids' lives rich with memories, and live beyond the circumstances that I have given them, it would be me.

So yes, we believe in the Magic of Christmas.  My kids are reminded through myself and Church services about the true meaning of Christmas too.