Christmas 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Happy Happy Jesus

It's the last week of Advent and we had another rainy Tuesday. We ended up back at the bookstore to play. I was still undecided about returning "Twas the Night Before Christmas." But this was my last chance, if I was going to do it.I couldn't find the receipt, so decided to bring it along and if they would take it back without one, it must be meant to be. When the owner agreed to exchange it, I felt suddenly pained in my heart- it was such a beautiful book!!: Sugar plums, reindeer, toys. . . sigh. Was I making the right decision? Too late now. The first book I picked, that wasn't nearly as well illustrated, was about the animals preparing for Jesus' birth. The chorus of their song was, "the One who made us has come to live with us." Tears streamed down my face. How can I talk of Santa, when God has chosen to live with us?
Since walking out of the store, my place of Advent transformation, I have felt a change of perspective. Instead of balancing the two stories of Santa and Jesus, I have released myself to just believe in the truth of Jesus. Now, I can think of many ways to bring Jesus into Christmas, especially without the pressure of perpetuating Santa. There is a sense that I may be causing Nori to miss out on some magic of childhood. But it's my hope that the magic of God among us warms her heart along with sugar plums dancing in her head.
So that is where my Advent journey has brought me, at least this year. Like the wisemen, ready to seek Him. This morning, we stopped to buy a cupcake for Jesus' birthday singing. Nori is obsessed with singing "Happy Birthday." (But she usually leaves out the birthday part- just Happy and the person's name.) She will be thrilled singing to him and carrying around her Baby Jesus on Christmas. Bye Bye Santa, you were good to me.

Jesus Plus

Okay, so there are still some big questions I have if I am going to teach Nori and truly practice Christmas in honor of Jesus.
First off, how to relate gift giving, cookies, parties- all the good ol' neutral traditions- to Jesus?
One friend shared with me how she taught the advent season to her kids. She said that Jesus is the self emptying gift from God to us. Advent, ie the Holidays, are a time to be present with each other as God is present to us as the human Jesus.
I love that Nori knows Jesus first as human. I would hate for her to think of Jesus as only a story or in the sky. But Jesus as human is clearly a God among us. A God that cares.
My friend said that buying/making a gift specific and sacrificially for another is sharing in God's desire to be specific and personal to us.
I can go with that. It is a season of presence. God's presence among us and us taking time to be with others (ie Holiday parties.) And of course I can't pass up the cliche- "presence is the presents."
So, gifts and parties are covered.
How about decorating? Last year, I led a small service on the solstice for a few friends. We stood in the dark, to recognize the dark and to accept what that brings, good and bad. We remembered why the church historically chose December 25 as Christmas: the earth begins to turn and the light comes closer. Jesus is the light.
December is cold and the "greening" of the house is to bring the reminder of life indoors.
And that's about as far as I've gotten. Still undecided re: the book I bought Nori, "Twas the Night Before Christmas."
I guess there's still 17 days to decide.

Jesus or Santa? Part 2

It has been over a week since I last posted. I have had some interesting and thought provoking dialogues with friends concerning my Christmas dilemma, which although unresolved, seems to be evolving.
It is funny to see people's reaction to my proposal to take Jesus from Christmas. Some say we are to avoid the craziness of "Santa" (gifts, cards, cookies) and to simply wait in the darkness of Advent for the light of Jesus. I realize that I have a fear that will be boring and we will have to give up the fun of Santa. Most people insist you can do both- a mix of Santa and Jesus. But I still struggle- is this fair to Jesus? Is it fair to Nori?
A few significant events have also occurred. We got out the Christmas decorations. We don't have a lot, but I was surprised to see no Santas! We have 5 nativity sets, lots of ornaments collected through the years, candles and several decorative snowmen. (Maybe the snowman is the ideal Christmas symbol- not too religious nor too Santa?!) The only Santa propaganda was an ornament that I inherited from my Grandparents. Whew. I felt a sigh of relief. At least my Christmas decorating wasn't about to be stolen if I choose Jesus over Santa. The funny thing is that I never really thought about what we put around the house before, besides trying to keep it minimal.
Another surprising thing happened as we started to decorate: I told Nori about Jesus for the first time. Sure, we say grace as a family, but what does that mean to her 2 year old mind, besides the hearty AMENs! she likes to shout. I probably would have started this conversation with her soon, regardless of the season. But what a gift that her coming to age matched the advent season. AND that her introduction involved a baby that she can hold and look at, our human God.
I told her about Him and His parents and there they were- Mary, Joseph, and Jesus suddenly all over our house. There is little she loves more than babies, both real and her dolls- combing their hair, feeding them, burping them and of course nursing them. I Hope no guests catch her nursing baby Jesus, there is probably some general consent against that!
So, here in the second week of advent our home is full of the holy threesome that fits quite naturally into her small world of baby, Mama and Dada. She loves baby Jesus. She decidedly did NOT want to sit on Santa's lap, although he was way too skinny to be the real Santa anyway. So, for now, I guess she has chosen.

For now, santa remains the scary guy we tried to pawn her off on and my grandmother's small delicate ornament safely hidden at the top of the tree.

I guess that's a No to Santa