I recently had a conversation with someone on the street that got me thinking. The stranger was complaining about Christmas traffic and everything else that’s wrong with the world. At some point, the conversation shifted to the spirit of giving and instilling that in our children. The lady then said,
“At least there’s one thing good thing that comes from Christmas.”
Honestly, I was a bit shocked because we LOVE Christmas in our house. We love all that it entails: family, faith, giving, serving, loving and receiving. Though I’m not ignorant and I know that not everyone holds to those values, traditions or beliefs, I was still flabbergasted by her comment. But it was a good reminder to me that not everyone cherishes this time of the year.
So here are 15+ things I want my children to know about Christmas.
15+ Things I Want My Kids to Know About Christmas
1. May your focus be on His presence and not just presents. Christmas reminds us that God is with us–Immanuel.
2. Be thankful for all that you have–it will help you change your attitude when you don’t get everything you’ve asked for.
3. Don’t let your wants get confused with your needs.
4. Believe it or not there will come a time when the amount of presents under the tree will not compare to the smiles and hugs from your loved ones on Christmas morning. Family matters!
5. Christmas gifts are a privilege, not a right.
6. Forgiveness can be a gift, so make sure to give it out to those who need it this time of year.
7. Learn to say “no”, so you have room to say “yes” to the people that matter the most. The best gift we can give is the gift of our presence.
8. Traditions and your culture matter. So make sure you create lasting traditions that consist of your faith, family and culture.
9. Activities will get messy! It’s okay! Remember that time when we made gingerbread cookies and you all decided to put your army men in them? There was a mess of flour and dough all over the kitchen. That was fun! Those memories will forever be etched in my heart.
10. When you give a gift, give it without the expectation to receive something in return.
11. “No one has ever become poor from giving to others.” Anne Frank
12. Music fills the heart with joy! So play lots of Christmas music, during this time of the year.
13. Remember that the best gifts in life can’t be bought.
14. December 25th is not the day that Jesus was born, it’s the day we celebrate his birth.
15. Realize that a lot of the Christmas pageants, movies and stories about the birth of Christ are retold from a Westerners perspective. Jesus’ birth is a historical fact but often beautified when it was actually a dark and messy time that Jesus was born into.
16. Jesus, the Son of God, came to save us.
Feliz Navidad from our familia to yours!
Our boys 10, 7 and 4 years old.
Me and my hot man!
And one of my favorites–my men! I’m so blessed!