Yesterday I was sitting on the couch with Payton and we were talking about how many days there is left until Christmas. She loves counting down the days until Santa makes his arrival. Payton was telling me about all the gifts she really hopes Santa is going to bring her since she has been extra good this year. I smiled. Payton really has been very good this year; which is a great blessing because I went back to work this past July.
As I listened to Payton share her excitement about Christmas and all the presents she was hoping to get, it dawned on me that I’ve never told her what Christmas is actually about. So I turned to Payton and began telling her.
“Payton, do you know what happens on Christmas?”
She looked at me and smiled, “Yeah! Santa comes!”
“Yes, but something else happens on Christmas. Do you know what that is?”
Clearly confused, she looked at me and asked, “What else happens?”
“Christmas is Jesus’ birthday.” I grabbed a piece of paper and wrote down the word, CHRISTmas. “Do you see the first word in Christmas? Christ. Christ is another name for Jesus.”
“Jesus has a birthday?! We get to celebrate His Birthday?!”
Payton was so excited. She loves when we talk about Jesus and when she and I take time to pray to Him. She then turned to me with questions in her eyes, “Mom, does that mean that Papa is in Heaven for Jesus’ birthday party? And Duke, too?”
I haven’t even thought about that. I have been dwelling on the fact that this was my first Christmas without having my Papa here or having him to talk to on the phone. Payton’s question to me was such a positive eye opener.
With a smile on my face, I answered. “Yes ma’am! Papa and Duke are in Heaven celebrating Jesus’ birthday with Him. I’m sure they’ll be having one of the best birthday parties ever.”
My children are only going learn about God through me. I do not go to church anymore. But I still pray. I still read my bible on occasion. And I want my kids to know God. Really truly KNOW Him. To know the love that He has for them. To know that He is always there, no matter what. And yesterday, when I saw Payton’s reaction when she learned what Christmas is really about, it reminded me that I need to talk to my kids more about God.
My mother made sure my sisters and I knew about God and His unconditional love for each one of us. She made sure we had all of the resources to ask the tough questions that we had about Him. I want that for my girls too. And even though I’m not involved with church right now, I want my girls to know that if they would like to attend church as they get older, they can. I’m not going to hold them back from growing their relationship with God and asking those same tough questions that I had as a child.
Christmas is not about Santa or the super sales at all of the retail stores or the gifts that we give and receive. It’s about celebrating the day that Mary gave birth to Jesus. The day that God sent Jesus to all of us so that we can learn through Him the love that we will always receive. Christmas is about Christ. After all, the first word in CHRISTmas is Christ!
Beautifully Chaotic 