On our way to Church last week my daughter was talking to my husband about what she was hoping Santa would bring her for Christmas. Which usually would be no big deal but this time it really gave me pause to think and made me realize just how much she thinks Christmas is centered around getting and the man she believes gets it to her...Santa. What ran through my head was exactly this "How is Christ supposed to compete with Santa?" She wants toys and knows that's whats coming. How am I supposed to really get it across to her that what Christmas is really about is our Savior coming into the world to eventually grow up and provide a path to Salvation through the Atonement? Stuff is tangible and there is sooo much focus in the world on getting stuff. While trying to explain Christ and all that He is about is more of talking and day to day example. Granted this is not something that is only taught during Christmas in our home, it's just harder to make it shine above all those shiny toys dancing in there sweet little heads during Christmas. The solution to my question came quickly and without much effort and made me feel much better knowing I had something I could do. An object lesson that I hope will be highly effective. It is simply this; get a huge box (I am going to use a vacuum cleaner box) and put things in it that are about Jesus and what he has done for us. It could be pictures, words, stories, short explanations and definitions or a combination depending on your childrens ages I also think it would be neat to have short quotes or questions for specific people to answer and give them the opportunity to bear there testimony about a key principle. Wrap it of coarse make it the prettiest present under the tree. I think another key point is to build it up a little by saying things like it's the greatest gift you will ever get. You could put from Jesus or say we don't know who it's from or whatever you want. I think the timing of opening it is also important. Christmas eve is when I think we will do it. Reason being if they get to open one present it being this then there attention should be on it because they can only open one present. trying to get kids to focus in the middle of opening presents on Christmas day or after or having them wait maybe until before Christmas dinner may be good as well then their curiosity will be peaked and the excitement of newly opened presents will have worn off a tad...unless they just got a Silhouette ;) Hahaha...
I don't have a picture of ours under the tree I may add it later but for tonight this picture above will have to suffice for an example. I do know for sure that it will be the biggest present under our tree. It really is the biggest gift EVER. I hope this helps you and am excited to try this out on my kids. If you have any suggestions of how to tweak this let me know I would love to hear from you. If you give this a try let me know, I would love to hear how it went! Also, I realize there are many ideas out there about how to try and get across to kids that Christ is the most important part of Christmas. Really I have just began my quest my oldest is 5 so I don't have much experience with it yet. I would love to hear about any ways you keep Christ in Christmas.
I would like to amend my comment about this idea being the solution, it's not thee solution and the only thing I will be doing or have done for keeping my family focused on our Savior. The reason for the previous posts on the Giving jar and 12 days of Christmas service is to help keep Christ in Christmas. What better way to teach our children or Christ then to teach and help them to serve and give of themselves. I also love getting presents and finding just the right present for others and to me Christmas is either all about presents and Santa or what I am shooting for Christ as our focus and presents as an added bonus. I want to help them lose themselves in doing good then I know the focus on getting will be much, much less. There is nothing wrong with a kid being excited about presents it's so much fun but it just shouldn't be what it's all about.
We talked about this subject in church today, and it was interesting that kids learn by so many different examples we provide, what we say, what we do, how we react to things, etc. I think this is a GREAT idea, as well as simply acting on our own advice - do they really NEED lots of presents for Christmas?? This year I am thinking of a service project we can do on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day to re-focus our thoughts. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteOne thing we try to do is read many versions of the Christmas story and get really in depth with what happened and why. I also really like to have nativity sets around the house that the kids are welcome to play with, touch, investigate, and rearrange. We also have a Jesse tree, although it didn't get set up this year. A Google search provides lots of great examples to make one of your own, from very simple to very complex.
ReplyDeleteSo very true...I think every parent struggles with this, it's so hard to get them to realize the importance of Christ in Christmas, especially when they are so young. This is a great idea, D! I think we might have to do this one, too!
ReplyDeleteThat's a good idea Car to give service on Christmas, maybe we will have to do that instead of going to see a movie.
ReplyDeleteSarah, I like the idea with the Nativity. I was actully thinking today that I need to find one I REALLY like. I will have to look up the Jesse tree too, sounds interesting.
Aubs, it's true their age can make it harder for sure. You will have to let me know how it goes if you try this.