DAD:
It is that time of year where presents are being bought, wrapped, and tucked away under the tree. It is a good time to see how well the children understand the concept of thankfulness. You can explain it to them, and hope that it sinks in, but you truly know when you see it being exercised. As with most families, the bedtime routine for J is to take a bath, get her pjs on, brush hair and teeth, give hugs and kisses to mom/dad(depending on who is putting her to bed), read a book, then say a prayer. One night as we were saying prayers, J jumps in and says “thank you God for giving us the money to buy Toy Story 3 when it came out.” As I type it, the memory brings tears of joy to my eyes. It is such a joy to see my children grow up. It is my prayer that they give thanks for everything in their life, and know who that thanks goes to. G is working on being thankful, but he’s got to get the speaking thing down first. But I know that he appreciates us.
MOM:
When J was born and we celebrated her first Christmas, my husband and I made a decision that we would try and help our children know the true meaning of Christmas instead of the commercialized version of presents and Santa Claus. J is just turning 4 this year. This is the first year that I have actually heard the words “I want that” come from her every time she looks through store ads and watches TV. This is also the first year that I have heard her explain that she will be happy with whatever present she receives and she will remember to say thank you without being reminded. In a world of selfishness and greed, we have succeeded at teaching her that even though we have a million wants and desires we must also sometimes be content with the toys, clothes, and stuff we have. I would like to think that all our words and explanations is the reason for this enlightening in our sweet little girl but our words mean nothing without action and direction from us through our own heart. Each year Santa is not dramatized in our home. Each year we fill the Christmas Holiday with Jesus’ Birthday by reading “The Christmas Story” as well as sing Happy Birthday to Jesus before opening our gifts. We look forward to visiting Rogers Christian Church to drive thru the Faithful Witness presentation of Jesus’ life. We help show her that Christmas is more about shopping, wrapping, and receiving gifts by the truckload. Each year we pray that the true meaning of Christmas stays with her and she remembers the ultimate gift that was given to us.
“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." Matthew 1
