I've been doing a LOT of thinking lately about the whole "Christmas Conundrum" (see http://jenhatmaker.com/blog/2011/11/29/the-christmas-conundrum#.TuAUiasP0vB.facebook for a fantastic article about it!) I started thinking through some of our traditions and why we do the things we do, and I think I discovered something pretty incredible. Our traditions are worshipful!
Of course there are the thing that look as worshipful as they are: Advent, church service, the early morning reading of the Christmas story, etc. But even the things that are not "religious" play a very important part of making the whole celebration special.
For example, decorations. The whole house is transformed in preparation for Christmas. Sort of a tangible expression of our hearts being transformed by Jesus. Plus, they give the house, the yard, the parking lot, wherever, a true sense of magic and wonder. And isn't that a big part of Christmas? That night was so magical that a choir of angels lit up the night sky and brand new star appeared in the heavens!
As for Santa, that has been a real surprise to me this year! I never really considered any other options regarding Santa. I believed in Santa as a child. I was not scared for life. So we set up the Santa myth for Brooklyn. It's ironic, now that I am considering alternatives, this just happens to be the first year that Brooklyn really and truly believes in Santa! It all has more meaning to her now. But what I've found is that Santa is fantastic gateway into spiritual discussions.
Brooklyn has really fixated on the whole "naughty" and "nice" list. It's opened up great conversations about sin, going our way vs. going Jesus' way, and repentance! We've started talking about the real St. Nicholas and the example he gave, being generous, and how he wanted to be like Jesus too.
So I guess the big realization I've come to is that Christmas -- like everything else in our fallen world -- can either be corrupted or redeemed. I am in favor of redemption!
Of course there are the thing that look as worshipful as they are: Advent, church service, the early morning reading of the Christmas story, etc. But even the things that are not "religious" play a very important part of making the whole celebration special.
For example, decorations. The whole house is transformed in preparation for Christmas. Sort of a tangible expression of our hearts being transformed by Jesus. Plus, they give the house, the yard, the parking lot, wherever, a true sense of magic and wonder. And isn't that a big part of Christmas? That night was so magical that a choir of angels lit up the night sky and brand new star appeared in the heavens!
As for Santa, that has been a real surprise to me this year! I never really considered any other options regarding Santa. I believed in Santa as a child. I was not scared for life. So we set up the Santa myth for Brooklyn. It's ironic, now that I am considering alternatives, this just happens to be the first year that Brooklyn really and truly believes in Santa! It all has more meaning to her now. But what I've found is that Santa is fantastic gateway into spiritual discussions.
Brooklyn has really fixated on the whole "naughty" and "nice" list. It's opened up great conversations about sin, going our way vs. going Jesus' way, and repentance! We've started talking about the real St. Nicholas and the example he gave, being generous, and how he wanted to be like Jesus too.
So I guess the big realization I've come to is that Christmas -- like everything else in our fallen world -- can either be corrupted or redeemed. I am in favor of redemption!
Comments
Post a Comment