I have a confession, something I need to get out in the open and off of my chest....WE ARE CHRISTMAS PEOPLE. That's right. We're lights up before Thanksgiving, brown Thursday shopping, sappy movie watching, Santa believing, Elf On The Shelf kinda people, and if that bothers you...get over it over.
Sorry...but you can. I feel like we are a generation of extreme people. My Facebook and Pinterest news feeds are literally crawling with people ready to argue with anyone who celebrates Christmas in least secular way.
Honestly, I get it. I get that this Advent season is about the birth of our Lord and Savior. I get that we live in a society of materialism and greed. I get that as Christians we are to be a light in the midst of a dark world. I get it. I really do. However, debating every little thing a family does or does not do isn't exactly the best example of love.
Here's the the thing. For us (THE WATSONS) Christmas isn't an all or nothing kind of holiday. Eric and I are very confident that we can do the whole Santa thing and still focus on Christ. We do Santa. Our kids get more than three gifts. Which by the way, I love that tradition..one thing they need, one thing they read, and one thing they want. Kudos to you who incorporate that. I like the parallel to the three wise men. I like it, but it's not for us. I could argue that we give lots of gifts because Jesus gives us lots of gifts, but I won't because that not why we do it. We do it because it's something we enjoy.
We try to instill this same joy for giving in our children. In the past we have adopted families, given to the Angel tree, and volunteered with various charities. This year, our time and money is limited. I could feel guilty about that when I read some blogs or Facebook statuses, but I'm over guilt. We are giving in different ways this year, and that is what is important.
You see, I don't care what you do with your family. If you do Santa or don't do Santa - it doesn't bother me. If you do Elf On The Shelf or skip that tradition, I could care less. Our elf hasn't moved in about a week, so clearly I'm not too worried about ours either. Ha!
The point is this, I believe that as parents we have the responsibility to Shepard our children. The dynamics of our families are different. Our kids our different. Our convictions are different. What's the same is our celebration of a King who humbled himself by coming into the fallen world. You do your thing and I'll do mine.
Who cares about the rest as long as we celebrate the birth of our Savior!!!!!
Sorry...but you can. I feel like we are a generation of extreme people. My Facebook and Pinterest news feeds are literally crawling with people ready to argue with anyone who celebrates Christmas in least secular way.
Honestly, I get it. I get that this Advent season is about the birth of our Lord and Savior. I get that we live in a society of materialism and greed. I get that as Christians we are to be a light in the midst of a dark world. I get it. I really do. However, debating every little thing a family does or does not do isn't exactly the best example of love.
Here's the the thing. For us (THE WATSONS) Christmas isn't an all or nothing kind of holiday. Eric and I are very confident that we can do the whole Santa thing and still focus on Christ. We do Santa. Our kids get more than three gifts. Which by the way, I love that tradition..one thing they need, one thing they read, and one thing they want. Kudos to you who incorporate that. I like the parallel to the three wise men. I like it, but it's not for us. I could argue that we give lots of gifts because Jesus gives us lots of gifts, but I won't because that not why we do it. We do it because it's something we enjoy.
We try to instill this same joy for giving in our children. In the past we have adopted families, given to the Angel tree, and volunteered with various charities. This year, our time and money is limited. I could feel guilty about that when I read some blogs or Facebook statuses, but I'm over guilt. We are giving in different ways this year, and that is what is important.
You see, I don't care what you do with your family. If you do Santa or don't do Santa - it doesn't bother me. If you do Elf On The Shelf or skip that tradition, I could care less. Our elf hasn't moved in about a week, so clearly I'm not too worried about ours either. Ha!
The point is this, I believe that as parents we have the responsibility to Shepard our children. The dynamics of our families are different. Our kids our different. Our convictions are different. What's the same is our celebration of a King who humbled himself by coming into the fallen world. You do your thing and I'll do mine.
Who cares about the rest as long as we celebrate the birth of our Savior!!!!!
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