A Simple Christmas Post

Our household seems more excited about Christmas this year, which I attribute to our local grandchildren being six years old. They would tell you they are really seven because the twins were born in early January, and they are so excited about Christmas.

Attending church and Sunday School has enhanced their awareness of the Christian beliefs of the holiday. So, the twins and their younger brother are now celebrating Jesus’ birthday. The connection between Jesus and Santa Claus is not real clear, but they seem to be having much more of a connection with our two Nativity scenes. The grandchildren attended the Christmas Pageant at church this year and connected the dots for what many Christians speak of as the “reason for the season.”

Taking the children home to their parents this past week was most interesting. We made several drive-byes to see houses with a multitude of outside Christmas decorations. We saw a large, inflated bear in a Santa suit, an inflated Snoopy driving a sled, and the Grinch getting ready to steal Christmas from Whoville. One house had very large inflatable characters looking like robots which I was unable to connect with Christmas. The car ride seemed rather normal to me and the kids enjoyed looking at the yards and houses.

On the interstate highway, my granddaughter said, “Granddad, these houses need more “Jesus stuff.” I asked her to explain. She said that she had not seen any displays of Jesus’ birthday anywhere this night. I told her I agreed with her, well aware of the great decline of many young families not attending church and claiming the “None” category in surveys asking about their religious beliefs. But while my granddaughter’s comment about “Jesus stuff” saddened me, she was so wise to note the absence of the public connection to Christ’s birth.

As we approached their home they asked sweetly if I would drive by the “ginger bread house.” I said they would have to direct me there, which was a bit frightening. I was pleased that their directions got us there with just a five-minute detour.  I slowed down to take in the gingerbread house. The kids were so pleased to view this house again and pointed out the manger scene by the ginger bread house sitting to the side of a residence. On this evening, the son of God was being visited by Santa Claus. 

The kids were drawn to that house for several reasons and not the least of which was to see the manger scene. I love them for that, even if Santa took the place of the Wise Men. Up until that time, I had been satisfied to accept that the commercialization of Christmas as a given. But on this night, a six-year old made me embrace the need for us to see “Jesus stuff” as a vital part of the holiday. 

The prophet Isaiah (11:6) tells us that “a little child will lead them.” And Jesus said (Luke 9: 48), “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.”

What great teaching you can receive from a child. This Christmas I welcome Jesus in a new way. I will still see the Grinch and Santa, I will still decorate trees, and give and receive gifts, but on this night, it is a little child who welcomed Jesus to be seen in a ginger bread house. Amen.

Merry Christmas to those who celebrate this tradition, and Happy Holidays to everyone. Thank you for reading my blog this year! It is a wonderful gift for me. May blessings come to all of you in the year to come.