It seems every year I struggle with Christmas.  Holidays in general really.  At least those holidays that should bring glory to God and Jesus but only bring our focus more on the world.  Materialism.  Truthfully I would rather not get gifts at all really.  Maybe make something.  Do something but not spend money on anything.  I wish I could think of a way to just focus on Jesus and family and that is it.  I don't want to talk about Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny.  I am saddened by the fact that my kids and most kids only relate these holidays with "what am I gonna get", and fictional characters.  In my opinion by convincing our children these characters exist we undermine the truth of Jesus.  When kids grow up and realize Santa Claus doesn't exist after all that we have tried to convince them then why should they believe there is a God and His son Jesus Christ.  They lied about the one .....  I find it very frustrating.  My family, parents and in-laws, work very hard at telling the kids there is a Santa.  I struggle with all of it.  I would rather not even relate Santa Claus with x-mas.  I don't want my little ones who are just learning about x-mas to hear "You better be good or Santa won't come see you", or "Santa is coming ".  I am slowly and hopefully changing the meaning of x-mas and Easter in my home.  I hope that when my children adjust to the change they will relate these holidays to Jesus and His great gift to us and what we can do for Him.  What our great gift to Him could be.  But on the whole I feel myself being such a Bah Hum Bug with frustration and the up hill battle I feel like I am in in trying to change things. 

Well, we have had a full day  and an even fuller one tomorrow.  Good night.  SW

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I don't remember the ages of the kids but you could tell them that the whole reason that he gave gifts to children was because of Jesus, the greatest gift that God ever gave to the world. Also have you thought about an advent calendar with scriptures and stories/activities to focus your heart toward Jesus as you prepare to celebrate his birth. My kids do Santa but the focus is on Jesus.

Edited by jannaod on Dec. 7, 2006 at 10:28 AM