This is a re-post from December 22, 2009; however, it was one that raised a lot questions and provoked some thoughts so I decided to publish it again for the Soli Deo Gloria Sisterhood with Jen at “Finding Heaven”. Go and visit these ladies – you will find some profound writers there, friends.
We’re all feeling a bit of a “Christmas hangover” this week.
Yes, I realize the holiday has yet to come but this morning I found one of the wisemen from our Little People Nativity facedown under our Christmas tree (too much frankinsence? Myrrh? Both?). And as I mention Christmas trees, I am reminded that the middle section of lights has GONE OUT on our not-so-cheap PRE-LIT investment of a new tree we made last year.
Susannah proclaimed yesterday while driving that she “simply cannot wait ONE MORE DAY for Christmas to get here. When is it coming, mama?” I remember well – the last days before Christmas were excruciatingly long when I was a young pup.
In addition, the rule of “ornaments stay on the TREE” that has been spoken firmly (I always added “honey” or “sweetie” at the end) over my children throughout the season is being ignored – I found our Frosty ornament in the downstairs bathroom and a shattered Christmas ball in our kitchen (not naming names on who did this but he is 17 months old…) I am tired of picking up shredded tissue paper as Sawyer LOVES it and particularly loves to tear it up. I am not sure I can watch Rudolph ONE MORE TIME even though I love it so. I cleaned out pieces of chicken from our Advent wreath last night (its on our dinner table). You get my drift.
So alright – before you think I am going “bah-humbug” on you, I must share that despite these funnies that inevitably go along with this beloved holiday, I love Christmas so very much. Mostly because we are celebrating the birth of a man I hold dearest to my heart – Jesus. I don’t for one moment lose sight of what we are doing. It is about Him. He was about us.
That being said, I absolutely believe that just because I am a Christian mama raising my children to love their God and follow his son doesn’t mean that I can’t enjoy all the bells and whistles of Christmas as well. So to give some much-needed CPR to the tired-of-waiting tots who occupy our house, JJ and I decided it was time to go see the man in the red suit. Santa. Yes, Santa. (Clears throat) I did say Santa.
I know this is a bit of a controversy among Christians. I know the man in the red suit gets blamed for a lot. He is responsible for commercializing Christmas. He takes the focus off of Jesus. He promotes materialism. Yep, I’ve heard it all. And truthfully, I usually just sit quietly and make my grocery list. I’m learning there are just some things you don’t talk about – politics, religion, and Santa – so I just keep my tongue in check and move on my merry way.
See, I guess I come from the camp that as long as you don’t lose focus on why we celebrate, I don’t see anything wrong with Santa. Ask any of my kids why we celebrate Christmas and they will answer, without skipping a beat, that it’s “Jesus’ birthday” (well, actually Solomon won’t – he just likes the sparkling Christmas balls and lights). We light the Advent candles. We read stories about the first Christmas. We serve birthday cake on Christmas and sing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus. But, yes. Ahh. We do love us some Santa.
Earlier this month, I stumbled across a blog entitled “Under Grace and Over Coffee.” The day I stumbled, the author of the site, Andrea had written a post entitled “The Reason.” (To read the story, click on “The Reason” to the left!) Ditto to all she says. Andrea, I am with you 1,000%.
While on our way to Dallas earlier this fall, I came across the most beautiful Christmas yard decoration I had ever seen. Once JJ and I returned from our weekend getaway, I promptly ordered it. Here it is:
My thoughts exactly.
Merry Christmas to you. May you walk deeper with Him this upcoming year.
I personally think Jesus and Santa can co-exist in this world. So I often tune out those arguments and for the sake of erhm my sanity…just chose to go about my own way to how we, my family, celebrates our Christmas. Every family is different and unique in how it celebrates just as it should be. So if some want Santa…I say go for it…others want only Jesus…go for it…some want both…go for it. :o)
Beautifully said Natalie.
.-= Christy´s last blog ..Christmas Treasures =-.
I totally agree with you Natalie. Our children and grandson have been totally immersed in Jesus from birth, but can enjoy the sparkle of Santa and other make-believe cultural traditions. Our brother-in-law called a couple of weeks ago and asked if it’s OK to have a real live “Santa” come to his house on Christmas eve for our grandson. We called our son and daughter-in-law who said yes, so we said yes, then we bought a big gift for him from Santa, so it should be fun! But he knows more about the Jesus of the Bible, so I’m fine with that. And that’s a cool decoration! Blessed Christmas to you!
We love Santa! Of course we love Jesus more, but I enjoyed all the “magic” that came from the big guy in the red suit, and why shouldn’t my kids?
Now, sometimes seeing these two together makes wonder. Therefore, I’m crusing over to Andrea’s to see what she has to say.
Natalie, so love your blog and the words and encouragement you share with your readers. Have a wonderful Christmas!
.-= Amy Sullivan´s last blog ..Share Your Story Meet Melody- aka Whiplash Girl =-.
I have to agree with you. Last year, I was telling a friend of mine that I will tell my, now, 4 year old, Santa is not real, but I will continue to go take her to take pictures with him. She asked “Won’t that be confusing to her?” I told her no, because I am going to tell her he is a represenation of St. Nick and celebrate that why we celebrate Christmas.
I do think, as long, as you don’t lose focus on Jesus, we should enjoy it in our life.
At our church, we have Santa come up and take communion first — just to remind kids that Santa is all about Jesus, too, and that is why he comes to bring all the presents.
It’s been an interesting season this year. We have given a lot to help the needy, telling the kids that it is most important to help others, to give so that others may enjoy. My oldest has said twice, “Doesn’t Santa bring everyone presents?”
I told her that Santa brings one present, but wouldn’t she be sad if there was only one thing under the tree. I just didn’t have the heart to tell her the truth…yet.
.-= Jen´s last blog ..Perhaps Its Perfect Just the Way It Is & Soli Deo Gloria Link-up =-.
I am GLAD to be out of that stage to be honest:) My youngest is 11 so of course we don’t have to even worry about Santa…whew!
But I remember those days feeling like you felt. Your doing just fine. One day this to shall pass. I made it through and to my knowledge no one is trying to hunt me down…yet anyway…lol! The older I am getting the more I am wanting to let God keep my mouth shut. So many things aren’t worth breaking relationships over. It has made a huge difference just learning to respect where someone else is…
don’t know if any of that made sense:)
xo:)
.-= Tiffini´s last blog ..I sometimes find money =-.
Thank you for this great reminder Natalie! I had a slightly different perspective when I growing up. Christmas was all about setting up the nativity set, and then all about Santa bringing presents, and then going to Midnight Mass to thank God for our blessings. So I can’t say the focus was totally on Jesus and His brithday, but it was always present.
I’m struggling myself to get my kids to understand that Christmas is more than just presents (especially in this material age). Mostly it’s my fault because I haven’t made Jesus the priority. So again, thanks for the reminder, and for keeping me accountable and thinking about Jesus every day. :)
This was a great post…it makes me think of the Veggie Tales ‘St. Nicholas’ movie that we have watched MANY times this Christmas…they did quite a bit of research about the historical St. Nick…and it goes back to the decoration you love…and I DON’T see anything wrong with Santa either…
also, my daughter is Susanne (close to yours) named after my mom, and my son is JJ (your husband’s name?). I thought that was so, so fun!!
Merry Christmas Mommy on Fire!!!
Love this, Natalie. We’re all about Jesus at our home, but we enjoy Santa, too.
Natalie, I too do Santa and am not afraid to tell it. In fact, we almost had to have the “Is Santa real talk” with our 7 year old. I’m sure she’s on the cusp but I just didn’t want her growing up too soon. It’s almost like another step away from childhood and her “lost” innocence. Santa (or as we call him “Sinter Klaas”) will be a part of our Christmas traditions. However, our focus always is EVERYDAY on Jesus and how and why He came.
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Wednesdays Voice – Pakistan =-.