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.
No comments:
Post a Comment