Learning about Christmas from a few preschoolers

Are you finding it difficult to get into the spirit of Christ-mas? Me, too.

Consider this an intervention. 

Take a few minutes to watch these preschoolers answer questions. (I dare you not to smile.)

Charming young children, unscripted answers, what's not to love? Oh sure, they were a bit fuzzy on the details.  

Still, in their innocence and simplicity they have the essence of the miracle of Christmas: Jesus came.

Jesus Christ, truly and fully God from before Day One of Creation, chose to come to earth as a human child, born to a human mother.

Jesus, born as a baby in a stable in Bethlehem (Luke 2:1-20.) Born like any human infant to a human mother. Mary, who was a virgin and chosen to be his mother. You see, Jesus was the Son of God. (Luke 1:26-38.)

Joseph's part in the story was that the angel told him he would be Jesus' earthly father and he then married Mary (Matthew 1:18-25.) 

Have we heard these readings so often we forget it's a miracle story?

What gets into us adults that we lose our marvels? 

Blame it on thoughts of shopping and decorating and keeping up with family traditions. They shout so loudly they drown out the quiet meaning of Christmas. 

Do you recognize these questions?

• What will I give her? And him? 
• How much will these gifts cost? Am I spending enough to show I really care? 
• Will they like what I give them??
• I simply have to cook and bake all the family favorites when they come home because that's what they expect. That's what makes it Christmas. 
• Christmas cards and letters! I need to get them written and mailed in time! And what about photos?
• I'm exhausted already. How will I ever get it all done in time? 

It's that last question that gets us down

Here's what I've learned over the years--with help from friends and family members. 

• The best and most lasting gift any of us can give is our love and encouragement. These cost zero dollars. 
• What we spend--or don't spend--is unimportant. Even young children  who clamor for the latest toys on TV always lose interest in any item after a few days.
• Recognize that adult and young-adult children are adults and young adults. They will manage to cope even if we don't fulfill their favorite gift requests. (We do, don't we? We know their gifts come with love.)
• Cooking everything from scratch does not prove love.
• It's a sure thing that this will not be the only chance our loved ones will have all year to eat a good meal.   
• We can decide to start a new family tradition. Making it easier on ourselves will make it calmer when we're together. (No guilt because Mom looks exhausted.) That makes it more fun for all the family.

Truth flash: Our kids don't come home for the food

 Whatever the ages of our children, they come home for the love.

What they long for most of all is affirmation as individuals. The reminder that they belong. The confirmation that we, their parents, love them as they are.

• We say it aloud: We love them as they are. That's the biggest gift we can give our adult children.
• Are they perfect? No, they're human. Like their parents. 
• Do we like them as people and/or appreciate their sense of humor or whatever? Then we say so. 
• Are we pleased or proud about something they've done or are doing? Let's commend them and cheer them on, even if we've said the same thing before.
• Are they going through a hard time or a scary passage in life? Let's reassure them that they're not alone. Jesus is with them, every step of the way. (Even if/when they know it, it's good to hear us speak it.)
• First, last and always, let's tell them we pray for them every day and we know God's watching over them. (Then let's keep our promise.)

But nobody ever did that for me

Sadly, that's true for many of us. We still may long to hear such words from our own parents. Some of us never will, either because our parents have died or are out of our lives, or because they're incapable of opening up about their emotions. 

Then we have a choice. We can grieve and bemoan what we lack.

Or we can forgive our parents and start fresh. Their ways don't have to be our ways.

We give our children and those that matter to us a great gift when we simply say those words of love we ache to hear, not just once, but often.

   And in the speaking will be the healing for us and a blessing for them. 

God still uses ordinary people

God used ordinary people, Mary and Joseph, carry out His plan. People like you and me.

Jesus told us we are to be salt and light in the earth. We ordinary people are to "season" the world around us and shine the sunshine of God's love where we are. 

That starts right where we are. Married or single, with or without children, there are folks around us who need us to live true to who we are in Jesus. 

Christmas is more than a season. It's the miracle of God come to earth to live among us.

Christmas is all about God's plan

It's about Jesus, God come to earth in human form, to be our Savior and Lord. 

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  --John 3:16  ESV

Dear reader, this year when you hear the Christmas story may you feel the awe and wonder of a little child. Jesus came for you!

And for me,

Lenore