Monday night I spent some time talking to the kids about the meaning of Christmas, because it is important that they know it, and also because I had heard one too many "unknown facts" about Santa. For example, to go up the chimney, he simply touches the side of his nose, nods his head and "fwooosh, it's like an elevator but waaaaay faster".
So, I was telling them about an angel appearing to Mary to tell her she would be having a baby and I said, "that's a pretty big deal, she had probably never seen an angel before, have you ever seen an angel?" Bo said he hadn't and I asked Avee, mostly to try and keep her involved and to stop blowing on the stupid purple recorder that for some reason thought was a good idea to get her. She said casually that yes, she had seen an angel before. Bo and I were a little surprised and both said, "Where!?"
"At the zoo."
All matter of fact.
At the end, feeling like I had improved my children's view of Christmas and refocused them on the true meaning, etc, etc, etc, Bo turned to me and said, "Yeah, so you know who else is Jesus' cousin?"
I did not. I was only aware of John the Baptist.
"Santa. Yeah, I'm pretty sure they are also cousins. Pretty sure."
Then, yesterday morning, Bo, still trying to work out the logistics of this whole Santa business says to me,
"So, I think I got it fig-yohed out. Jesus takes care of the wohld every day of the year, but then at Christmas Santa's like, 'Okay Jesus, I can take it from here.' "
I'm really proud of my efforts to teach my children the true meaning of Christmas. I think the feed back I've gotten says loud and clear:
Good job Nobody. You have accomplished exactly: Nothing.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
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24 comments:
First!!!
Now let me go actually read the post and I will be back to comment :)
Angels at the zoo? I would have gone to Iowa on my Midwest trip if I had known this!
Jesus' cousin Santa. I love it.
Glad I didn't say first.
Vista bull in flight.
Bo, you are truly one of a kind!
I love your logic. It makes perfect sense :)
Avee, how did you get SO smart? Grabbing peoples attention like that and then dismissing them like its your ultimate plan of genius!
Watch out world!
Oh, that is so sweet! It sounds like your kids are really thinking about things. Is Avee sure that the angel really wasn't the albino crocodile??? ;)
Your kids are so smart! Angels at the zoo - who knew? Jesus and Santa are Cousins - Who knew?
I at least give you kudos for trying - it took me a couple of years before the kids started to "get it" That whole Mary seeing an angel and then she's pregnant with the the holiest child ever is pretty heavy stuff.
We try to make it easier for the kids by separating the two by celebrating Jesus' birth.
We read "THE" story from the bible, then we have a little cake for Jesus, and the children make him a present (usually a picture)and open it for him and explain it to us.
Then of course Santa steals the show the next day, but it's the effort right? at least my kids know the difference - at least I hope they do....
Sorry this is long-didn't mean to:)
Lemmy told me that exact same unknown fact about Santa. I therefore suspect it was from Mrs. Teacher.
Well where ELSE would you see an angel, Nobody? The zoo is where you go to see everything you can't see anywhere else.
Cletus called Santa 'Jesus' for the first three years of his life. At least it wasn't the other way around. But it did make the mall Santas a bit alarmed when they were reverently addressed as "Zeesus" by the little kid on their lap.
Red totally gets it this year. "stay away from the scary guy in red" Bo's comment sounded EXACTLY like big J. Did he use the same gestures? Anyhow avee is quick on her toes, I would have to question her on wether it was the zoo or burgerking? Ya know the whole whopper thing.
Santa's cousin - that's original!
I'm sorry, but I can't stop laughing. I love it.
"I'll take it from here" - I about peed my pants laughing!
Your kids are hilarious! Thanks for sharing.
A mummified frog.
A tootsie roll.
A wad a gum.
Hello? Your child knows that Jesus takes care of the world? Sounds like more than nothing accomplished to me.
Plus, they get to see angels whenever you take them to the zoo. I will have to look closer next time I go, I've always missed that exhibit.
And my daughter in 1st grade? Oldest any of my kids have gotten without figuring it out themselves. I am not so great at hiding it I guess.
Sorry, accidentally stuttered.
Santa is giving presents to celebrate Jesus's birthday. That is what we tell the girls!
Your kids are brilliant. Does their mom go to college?
Seriously now- to know that Jesus takes care of the world and that Santa would be kind enough to give him a day off- W.O.W.!
You are doing something right, momma.
Angels really like the ice cream cones full of corn you get for a quarter.
Seriously though, my kids always see angels before they can talk. I think babies still have that ability. They've seen them in relatives' homes, Walmart, outside in various places...I don't doubt Avee saw them at all.
Jesus may have a cousin named Santa. They had weird names over there...
I saw an angel at the zoo. It's an anteater and jellyfish mixed, bred for it's skills and magic.
These days a kid knowing anything about Jesus is pretty good. I'd say you are doing a good job.
Think of how few stories there would be for you to blog about if kids learned everything the right way the first time!
I love how childrens minds process! I hate the zoo, but now that I know angels are there I might take another venture.
Don't worry about the Santa thing at least they still believe, I'm tired of these parents thinking they need to "educate" their children on the so called truth of Santa. D@#!$ grinches!
Merry Christmas Terra
I hope my kids are as clever as yours some day.
I've been in mourning this week because the neighbor girl took it upon herself to tell Calvin, the day after he lost his FIRST tooth that the tooth fairy AND Santa Claus are not real. He came to me and said, "Did YOU put that money under the little pillow? Don't LIE to me, Mom." I told him I didn't because I didn't, his dad did. :) BUT STILL. I was hoping for at least a year or two more of the magic...
Santa is fairly minor at our house (the kids usually get more gifts-wise from us and their grandparents) but I personally think that believing in someone who knows you and wants you to be good and desires to give you every good gift is not a terrible thing.
Until maybe he shows up the zoo. :)
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