A few days ago, I asked my four year old what he thought was the most important part of Christmas. He answered without hesitation, “Santa and presents!” His two year old sister piped in from across the room, “He’s bringing me a castle!”
Inside, I shrunk into a puddle of mommy humiliation. How had I completely failed them?! Hadn’t we spent days upon days reading the nativity story, stopping to discuss each part, focusing on each person and doing craft after craft to burn the importance of Jesus’ birth into their very moldable minds?!
“I thought Christmas was about Jesus.” I eagerly suggested to my son. C’mon. Some part of the story must have stuck!
“Oh! Yes! It is about Jesus! JESUS is the most important part about Christmas!”
My son sounded like a kid in Sunday School who knew the right answer to every question asked is always “Jesus!” Who died on the cross? – Jesus! Who lives in our hearts? –Jesus! Who built the ark? – Jesus! Wait…
I left the subject alone. I had really tried to make sure my kids knew the true meaning of Christmas. Yet, despite my best efforts, the first thing out of their honest little mouths was to the tune of “Give Me.”
I guess this is where I am having a hard time this year.
I have read post after post about why we should or shouldn’t involve Santa in our Christmas celebrations. Honestly, I’m a bit burned out by all of them. I see some truth in each. But, for a girl with black and white convictions, I have gotten to the place twice this season where I have wanted to say, “Let’s just have two holidays! One for Santa and presents and giving, and one where we celebrate Jesus’ birth! Why should we ever mix the two?!”
But that is when the gentle words of my Savior, the one whom I love so dearly, kindly reminded me that the struggle I face at Christmas is the same that I face every day. How to keep a Christ-centered Christmas is just a smaller picture of my greater fight: how to maintain a Christ-centered life.
As Christians, our every act should glorify God. Every… Act. That’s a ton of pressure. But that scandal of my salvation comes with this simple truth: Jesus knows that I’m going to fail and yet pursues my heart anyway. He knows I’m going to make stupid choices. He knows that I need His grace. It is free. It isn’t a pass to live my life however I want, it is permission to keep following Him even if I mess up! What a gift!
So that is the gift that I am offering each of you this Christmas. Grace.
I love the memories that you are making with your Elf and your children! They will never forget them!
I love your beautiful advent calendar and your dedication to tell the nativity story to your small children day by day.
I love your grandpa dressed like Santa to deliver presents on Christmas Eve.
I love your dedication to the soup kitchens and outreaches instead of the time and money you could spend on your own purchases.
Is it how we are going to celebrate Christmas this year? Maybe not… But does it really matter?
I have discovered in the last few weeks that there is no “right” way to do Christmas. We each think that the way our family celebrates Christmas is the best, and honestly, we are all correct! There is no better way for you to celebrate Christmas than how YOU have determined in your own hearts is right for your family. You don’t need some blog to tell you that.
The same will be true for me.
I asked my son one last question today. I asked him why Santa came to a Christmas party we recently attended instead of Jesus.
And my almost 4 year old replied,
“Jesus was there too, momma. Remember? His love came there. He lives in our hearts.”
Maybe we are still working out how we feel about sharing Christmas with Santa. But at the end of the day, maybe it isn’t so important. Maybe we should focus more of efforts on how we feel about sharing Jesus with the world. This year, my son’s simple understanding of Emmanuel “God With Us” is enough for me.
So, from my family to yours,
Merry Christmas
