I was leaving a comment on Bro. Matt's blog. I realized that maybe it was just a tad bit too long.
Bro. Matt wanted to know our thoughts on Santa....do or don't
I did Santa Claus for the girls. I made a huge deal out of it. I'm not one to go half way. I wrote letters back from Santa, not just to my girls, but to all of my nieces and nephews and even my little sister (who is 25 years younger than me), I made hoof marks on our deck, we made reindeer feed, one year, they all received a retired sleigh bell from Santa. Gosh, I might have went over board. Our Santa always shared his love of Jesus with each one of them, which does NOT make it right. I am guilty of making a bigger deal out of Santa than it being Jesus Birthday, in the past.
As a kid, Santa always came, but I don't remember it being a big deal. What I do remember most, mom telling us the Christmas story, saving our change for Lottie Moon Offering and putting it those envelopes (we probably used 50 envelopes each, we didn't cash in our change we put all that change in those envelopes), I even remember what those envelopes looked like, Christmas our Dad went to church with us and I was so proud, and of course, I remember my Papaw Clark leading the singing at his country church in his big loud out of key booming voice.
He referenced an article, one of the points in the article was about the Christmas Tree, kind of do or don't. Our tree is all about memories, which is silly I guess, I really don't need a tree and ornaments to remember my grandparents, brothers, parents, do I? It makes me feel good to put it up and remember. It's fun to share those special moments with the girls, who want to hear each story behind each ornament, even though they've heard it a hundred times.
I love tradition, I love hearing the girls ask...when are we gonna...we always....etc. It's not the trips to the mall they ask about, its the simple things, like the hot chocolate, which family we are going to visit on what day, are we gonna put the tree up on your birthday, etc.
Looking back, would I do it the same way? I'm leaning heavily towards no. Kids are crushed when they find out that Santa isn't real. I can see this scenario playing out..." Well, if Santa isn't real, I bet Jesus isn't real either." Catch my drift?
I'll leave you hanging...
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
A Comment That Became a Post
Posted by Kaye Butler at 8:56 PM
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3 comments:
First off, Check the Post with the pics of mypup forthe low down on our mild winter weater we are having. toorrow our high in ancorage (where I'm workig) will be 1 degrees, in Glennallen (home) 200 miles away where I'll ed my day, it wll be 35 belowe zero.
Anyway, the snow is descrid in the other post comments.
Now: I would never dream of complaining cause Kaye’s skills are RAD in the photo editing. That’s right I just rocked "RAD" and I'm not afraid to throw down the hard core linguistics either, I'm hard like that. But I digress, you'd think she'd add one of those cute lil full color puppy shots, she made him look so proper and astute, and thats cool, way cool, but he is only 6 months, throw a cute playful puppy shot up there for them SIS....
You guys didn’t know I knew words as big as linguistics did you. I did have to copy it into word to get it spelt right, but I knew the word, I'm physically patting myself on the back right now...
Just for the record, not complaining, I love what she does to the pics.
Scottie.
Man my PC must be doing some serious computing to miss that many key clicks.
guess I should use word to spell check.
scottie
First of all...HELLO!!!!! do NOT leave me hanging!
Second - YOU? Go Overboard? No!!!
Third - you're right. you don't NEED a tree to enjoy memories about your family. However, it helps add ambiance to the holidays, and triggers those memories!
Fourth - The original story of Saint Nicholas was about a man who was a bishop. His wealthy parents died leaving him a HUGE inheritence. Becauseofhis Christian beliefs, and desire to spread Love, Joy, and Cheer, he anonymously took gifts and money to people in his small town (called "myrah" or something like that...too lazy to google it, lol!).
I guess my point is that just because one has santa claus, doesn't mean it is un-Christlike.
On another note... my mother grew up believing in Santa. The year dad left them, she was 10. Her mother became severely depressed and in a nutshell, pretty much went to bed and never came out of her room except to go to church on Sundays. My mother was a neglected 10 year old (big uderstatement). She woke up Christmas morning, ran down to the tree (which someone donated to them) only to find nothing underneath. She went to her mom's bedside and asked when santa would come. And the response was something to the effect of "stupid child, he doesn't exist". My mother was crushed. She never doubted Christ... but she lost faith in adults; her mother. She was tramautized. Ergo, we didnt grow up with santa.
That being said (wow.. now MY comment is turning into a post)... I think having santa isn't bad. I mean, kids see him dressed up. they write him letters, sit on his lap, etc. These are TANGIBLE things, and they encourage children to behave. Teeny Tiny children may even have an easier time grasping Santa before they do our Savior, because they only hear stories or songs about the savior. So, I think Santa is ok... and of course, it IS chrislike to be giving. and of course, you have done a MARVELOUS job teaching your girls about their Savior...
Well Done! Now - quit leaving me hanging and get on it woman! lol!
Scottie - the "missing clicks" is a blogger flaw. happens sometimes. and there isn't spell check on "comments". :(
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