Let me Explain:
Yes we are Christians and yes we make Jesus the primary Focus of the Season, Yes there would not be CHRISTMAS if it wasn't for JESUS but let it be known we do Santa also. Before you judge or leave this blog because it isn't what you want to read let me explain.
1. I on a daily basis I explain to my girls ages 7, 2, and 1 who Jesus was, what he did, and why we celebrate him on Christmas.
2. I explain that presents and Santa are NOT the reason for the season, but they are just added blessings and excitement.
3. Santa brings us 3 gifts: We discuss the 3 gifts are to remind us of the 3 gifts brought to Jesus by the wise man and remind us that JESUS is the reason for the season.
4. We do all the Santa things but he isn't the focus when we talk he may be in conversation as our Elf on the Shelf Petey is too, but it isn't the focus.
A Little Background:
Now, my husband was not raised with Santa and does not indulge like I do.He would prefer to not put up a tree, not decorate, not watch Christmas movies, not do anything Christmas related. He also knows I want to make memories, and do things with my kids that are not the same things we do every other day of the year. I Love CHRISTMAS time its my favorite time of year, the sights, the sounds, the music, the food, the feeling of Love and comfort. I just love it. My husband is wonderful he does not tell my Children Santa doesn't exist, he simply tells them when asked if he believes in Santa, That he does not. When my children ask I always say "I believe in the magic, spirit and love of Christmas" This is not agreeing or denying Santa. I was raised with Santa and Jesus, and was raised to know Jesus was the reason for the season, but also was raised to be a child and have the wonder, excitement, and belief in something bigger than myself known as Santa. Growing up Christ was the main focus in our house, but we had traditions and we did Santa too. I have my favorite decoration from my parents house which is a fiber optic Mary and Joseph hold Jesus, come on that is my favorite and most cherished Christmas decoration from my house as a kid, followed by my beloved reindeer.
Why we do what we do with Christmas:
Why I don't want you to ruin CHRISTMAS for my kids, let me explain. I don't want you to ruin Christmas for my kids, because honestly I want them to stay little, innocent, and children as long as possible kids these days grow up to fast. Another Blogger said it so perfectly and I am going to paraphrase what was said so you can get the jest of why I do Santa. We as Christians want our kids to believe in God and Jesus, yes great I hope all my kids are saved and live a life following in God's will. We want our kids to believe in something bigger than themselves, we want them to believe in this older, invisible man in the sky we cannot see and put faith and love into him, and get blessings and love in return. So you see my children believing in Santa in my mind is preparing them to understand the relationship they will have with God and Jesus, How hard is it as adults to have faith and love for an invisible man in the sky whom we show faith and love to, and expect blessings from?I know God and Santa are no where close to the same thing, but I am teaching my children to believe in something bigger than themselves, have faith that something miraculous can happen (Trillions of presents being delivered in one night), show love to someone you do not know, believe in someone you cannot see, and be blessed by the love of someone who doesn't actually know you. It teaches them to be selfless, I mean come on a man who gives you presents for no other reason than he loves you and all he asks for in return is cookies and milk, to me this demonstrates selflessness. Yes lots of parents work hard for the money they make, and the money they pay for the presents with I am no different and neither is my husband we work hard for what we have. Yes my children get toys and gifts from us, but we don't have to be the only source of gifts. Lots of parents want their kids to know that mom and dad bought all their presents and worked hard for them. I want my kids to know I love them everyday and one day of lots of presents from Mommy and Daddy aren't the way we show it. I tell my kids daily, mommy and daddy go to work and work hard for them to have food, a house, clothes, and toys. We do this daily, because my kids need to know that we work for them daily, I would have more money if I didn't have kids yes, but my heart would be empty. We also always go through our stuff and donate a lot of toys and games before Christmas always to children who have nothing, because they need a blessing too. So please before you tell my kids there is no Santa THINK! I think there is a way you can safely and successfully balance Christ and Santa during Christmas time.
Before you speak THINK!
Christmas is not about you or what you get, but what you can do for others.So if you don't do Santa that's great but it is not your right or your kids right to purposefully tell my kids Santa isn't real because you think it is not the way we should do things. If my kids ask you just tell them you don't believe in Santa don't say things like "He isn't real" or things like "Your parents are Santa" you have just ruined it for my kids and me. I want to explain to my children when they get to the age I THINK is acceptable to tell them the truth I will. You have no right to decide when my child or children are old enough to know the TRUTH about Santa.
I want my kids to believe for a long time, not too long but a long time due to the love, wonder, and excitement I see in their eyes this time of year. To hear them talk about the nativity scenes outside of churches with excitement makes my heart smile, but to hear them get excited about Santa makes me excited to. I want my kids to stay kids as long as possible. Kids these days are growing up way to fast and I don't want my kids to grow up too fast. I want my kids to be innocent and believe as long as possible. So before you take the joy, love, and excitement away from my children think. When you take this from my kids you hurt not just them but me as well. You take away part of their innocence, you take traditions, and memories that could be made, you and your scrooge attitude can go and ruin someone else Christmas but please do not ruin it for me or my Kids.
Thank you.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Christmas is not about you or what you get, but what you can do for others.So if you don't do Santa that's great but it is not your right or your kids right to purposefully tell my kids Santa isn't real because you think it is not the way we should do things. If my kids ask you just tell them you don't believe in Santa don't say things like "He isn't real" or things like "Your parents are Santa" you have just ruined it for my kids and me. I want to explain to my children when they get to the age I THINK is acceptable to tell them the truth I will. You have no right to decide when my child or children are old enough to know the TRUTH about Santa.
I want my kids to believe for a long time, not too long but a long time due to the love, wonder, and excitement I see in their eyes this time of year. To hear them talk about the nativity scenes outside of churches with excitement makes my heart smile, but to hear them get excited about Santa makes me excited to. I want my kids to stay kids as long as possible. Kids these days are growing up way to fast and I don't want my kids to grow up too fast. I want my kids to be innocent and believe as long as possible. So before you take the joy, love, and excitement away from my children think. When you take this from my kids you hurt not just them but me as well. You take away part of their innocence, you take traditions, and memories that could be made, you and your scrooge attitude can go and ruin someone else Christmas but please do not ruin it for me or my Kids.
Thank you.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
