“That’s a pretty tree. God made that tree. That’s a pretty cloud. God made that cloud.”
HE’S ALMOST AS GOOD AS SANTA CLAUS!
My heart swelled with pride as I listened to my 3-year-old daughter utter those statements while looking out the kitchen window. Such wisdom from such a tiny child. I must be doing this mothering thing right! And then without warning my bubble burst as I heard her next sentence:
“God is good. He’s almost as good as Santa Claus!”
I put aside the chores and rushed to her side. Taking her on my lap I said, “Honey, there’s something you need to know. SANTA CLAUS IS NOT REAL! He’s just make-believe. But God is REAL.”
I went on to explain to her how God made the world and everything in it; how He made us and her daddy and her little sister. I told her the true meaning of Christmas…the one with the REAL GOD and His gift of Jesus being born in a manger. As we talked more of God and His Son, Jesus, she became fascinated with the Bible stories and the fact that they were all true.
TELL THEM TO YOUR CHILDREN OVER AND OVER AGAIN
I couldn’t help but recall the verses in Deuteronomy 6:4-7: “The Lord our God is the only true God! So love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength. Memorize His laws and tell them to your children over and over again. Talk about them all the time, whether you’re at home or walking along the road or going to bed at night, or getting up in the morning.” How easily we recall the fairy tales of our youth; the real stories from the Bible should be just as easily recalled.
THE STORY REMAINS TRUE
Were my children devastated and traumatized by Santa’s demise? Not in the least! We continued to make-believe about him just as we did about Goldilocks, Sleeping Beauty, and all the other obviously pretend characters. And my children carried the true Christmas story with them into adulthood, teaching it to their children and their grandchildren: the story that remains for all of us now and into eternity.
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed; the little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head. The stars in the bright sky looked down where He lay. The Little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes, but little Lord Jesus no crying He makes. I love You, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky and stay by my side until morning is nigh.