Page 11 - Grace Connections December 2021
P. 11
Christmas Traditions
As I sit here and think about the this writeup isn't going to be all about Santa
Christmas season coming up, I can't help but and trying to convince you or tell you that you
think about this scene that is in our sanctuary should have or shouldn’t have Santa in your
at church. It probably all seems perhaps lives, but rather an opportunity for you to see
simple to you with Jesus in the Manger things through different eyes. Perhaps an
surrounded by trees, but it means more than opening for you to understand where people
that. are coming from when they do things
differently than you.
If you look at the trees, you'll notice
that they are each one different from the I grew up in a family that always
others. They are different sizes, different involves Santa as part of the tradition of
shapes, and have different accessories added Christmas celebration. Still as a child, I still
to them or no accessories at all. understood the real meaning of Christmas, but
was allowed to enjoy the magic of Santa and
To me these trees represent each one of how he could get all around the world in a few
us. We are all different. We are different hours to deliver all these presents.
sizes, shapes, colors, and have different
talents and gifts. Each one of us is also As a child, I never lost focus on the true
different in the sense that some of us are meaning that Jesus's birth was the reason that
spiritual parents and some of us are actual we had Christmas. I intend on doing the same
parents. We do things differently and that's with my children. It's difficult as a parent to
OK. see other children or adults ruining the magic
of Christmas because they don't believe Santa
But as the picture represents, who is in should be a part of it. All four of our children
the center of the picture? Jesus. Jesus is the love to sit on Santa's lap, tell him what they
center of our lives. want for Christmas, and know that's what
they'll receive when Christmas morning
As Christmas approaches, our family comes.
members love to celebrate Christmas with a
tradition that Santa comes to our house. A lot They also would be able to tell you the
of people see that as a negative or that it takes entire Christmas story about Jesus's birth and
it away from the real meaning of Christmas. explain how that it is the real meaning behind
However, I don't see it that way. Don't worry, celebrating Christmas.
