Page 12 - Grace Connections December 2021
P. 12
A lot of people like to view it as though I remember tearing across town on my
we are lying to our children. Making them bike to visit grandma on the day my brother
believe in something that is fake and a lie. I dropped the bomb: “There is no Santa
don't feel that way at all, because when they Clause,” he jeered. “Even dummies know
finally realize, Santa is make believe, they just that!” my grandma was not the gushy kind,
continue to go with the magic to not ruin it for never had been. I fled to her that day because
anyone else in the family or outside of the I knew she would be straight with me. I knew
family. grandma always told the truth; and I knew that
the truth always went down a whole lot easier
When Kaylee realized Santa wasn't when swallowed with one of her world-
real, she wasn't mad, she didn't ask why we famous cinnamon buns.
lied to her, she just said she didn't believe in
him and knew that he wasn't real. However, I knew they were world famous,
she keeps the magic alive by going with it so because grandma said so. It had to be true.
that others can enjoy. Grandma was home, and the buns were still
warm. Between bites, I told her everything.
Like I said, look at the picture and you She was ready for me. “No Santa Claus?” she
see the trees and how different they are, but snorted, “Ridiculous! Don’t believe it. That
you also see that the center focus is Jesus. rumor has been going around for years, and it
That's what I would like everyone to see and makes me mad, plain mad!!
understand, that it doesn't matter about our
different traditions we have at Christmas, nor Now put on your coat and let's go.”
whether we believe in Santa or don't believe “Go? Go where, Grandma?” I asked. I hadn't
in Santa. What matters is that Jesus is the even finished my second world famous
center focus and the reason we celebrate cinnamon bun." Where” turned out to be
Christmas. Kirby's general store, the one store in town
that had a little bit of just about everything.
It's not a reflection of our parenting
skills or a lack of our children’s understanding As we walk through its doors, grandma
the meaning of Christmas, merely a part of the handed me ten dollars. That was a bundle in
fun of being a child at Christmas time. those days. “Take this money,” she said," and
Christmas isn't all about Santa and it isn't all buy something for someone who needs it. I'll
about the gifts. Christmas is all about the wait for you in the car.” then she turned and
precious baby Jesus that was born. walked out of Kirby's. I was only eight years
old. I'd often gone shopping with my mother,
I don't want any parent to feel bad or but never had I shopped for anything all by
guilty about the traditions that they have with myself.
their family, whether they are involving Santa
or not. Please do not judge those people. They The store seemed big and crowded, full
may think differently than you, that's OK. of people scrambling to finish their Christmas
Like these trees in the picture, they're all shopping. For a few moments I just stood
different but in the center is Jesus. I'd like to there, confused, clenching that $10 bill,
share this story that I found, and it warms my wondering what to buy, and for who on earth
heart during this Christmas season. should I to buy it. I thought of everyone I
knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors,
the kids at school, the people I went to church
