Christmas has been a wonderful experience for me this year!
First of all, I have to thank Heather White for her wonderful challenge to leave everyone you came into contact with over the hectic holiday season “better than you found them“.
It really stuck with me and I found myself remembering to be patient and compassionate and kind and loving and generous at many times throughout the week – with my children, with my family, with the cashiers at the mall, with the other people in line, and even with myself.
The other conversation I found myself having often this year was with my children.Â
It seems inevitable that the kids easily get cases of the “gimme’s” when everyone is talking about gifts and “what do you want?” and making lists for Santa. The whole focus is on presents and what you’re going to “get” – it’s horribly materialistic!
And it completely misses the point of Santa Claus and Christmas time!
So I found myself often talking with my kids about what the meaning of Christmas really was and why we should remember to have Christmas Spirit all year long. We talked about love, sharing, how fortunate we are, how “stuff” isn’t what’s important, how family and friends and having someone to talk to are the really important things!Â
The gems of this life are hugs, kisses, laughter, caring, sympathy, kind words, a hand to hold.Â
We are so lucky to have a roof over our heads, food to feed our children and ourselves, warm beds to sleep in, clothing to wear.
And my children have joined this conversation – pointing out ways that we’re lucky or remembering to speak kindly. Don’t get me wrong – they still loved their presents (so did I!). But there’s a larger recognition that’s building that I plan to foster and cultivate.
So here’s my challenge – make Christmas last all year! When we all pack up our Christmas trees and decorations, remember to keep your Christmas Spirit out & alive!
Look for the good in yourself and others.
Assume the best.
Be grateful for the many great and small gifts that we receive every day.
Say thank you.
Speak kind words.
Find the ways to “lift up” instead of “putting down”.
This can truly be a better and kinder world if we can remember to see beyond our own experience and care about the other people we share this life with!
Keep Santa alive!
Your question to me was “What I’m trying to figure out is how to proceed with this without outright lying to her or have her feel humiliated at school when other kids tease her about believing in Santa?”
Being the Father of three boys (12, 11, and 4) I feel for you. When my older boys came to me I told them the truth. I asked them if they beleived in the goodness of Santa. Both said yes. Being a born again christian, I asked them what the greatest gift is… they both said Jesus. Our discussion went on from their about goodness. Not always being able to see something but still believing. Believing and never discussing that Santa doesn’t exit. You know in your heart that he does. That’s all you need to know. Sounds corny… but I think they understood better. It was okay to believe. You didn’t always have to share… but you could believe.
Make sense?