Had a chat with the small one a couple of days ago about Santa. Apparently she’s moved on from this phase and has rationalized that he is a figment of imagination. However, wanting to keep this alive I ask her if he is fictitious how could she explain the gifts that he had given her in the past?
“Yeah right! Those were the gifts that I asked Mama to give me and you know something, I even found my letters to Santa on her computer!”
“But perhaps he left them behind for you to read as he already has a copy with him. Also in case you forgot what you wanted…”
“You think I am stupid or something?”
“No darling, how can I think that?”
“Come on I know he doesn’t exist!”
This went on for some time until I realized that I was getting nowhere. And she was winning the argument anyway! So I shift to the true meaning of Christmas. She listens to me with rapt attention not missing anything. Once I finish she says:
“So why talk about Santa, when we know that Jesus is Christmas? Why should we bother about the other stuff?”
“Well…”
“Yeah …?”
Trying to buy time hoping that she would let up, I change the subject. But she doesn’t have it. The only thing that’s missing is her index finger shaking at me exclaiming “shame on you”!
So I let on that since this is a very special day - the birth of Our Lord, we rejoice by putting up the decorations, the crib, tree, making goodies, buying gifts for one another, new duds, midnight Mass etc. And end with
“God is love!”
“Yeah I know that, but does everyone? Or have we lost the point entirely?”
Well said sweetheart I think looking at her with a new respect – out of the mouth of babes. With no clue as to what to say next I just hug her and know that this little minx sure has it down pat about the exact meaning of Christmas – love, forgiveness, peace and joy.
I’m gonna follow this route and rejoice at Christ’s Mass. (The route to love and forgiveness, bringing forth peace and joy). How about you?
“Yeah right! Those were the gifts that I asked Mama to give me and you know something, I even found my letters to Santa on her computer!”
“But perhaps he left them behind for you to read as he already has a copy with him. Also in case you forgot what you wanted…”
“You think I am stupid or something?”
“No darling, how can I think that?”
“Come on I know he doesn’t exist!”
This went on for some time until I realized that I was getting nowhere. And she was winning the argument anyway! So I shift to the true meaning of Christmas. She listens to me with rapt attention not missing anything. Once I finish she says:
“So why talk about Santa, when we know that Jesus is Christmas? Why should we bother about the other stuff?”
“Well…”
“Yeah …?”
Trying to buy time hoping that she would let up, I change the subject. But she doesn’t have it. The only thing that’s missing is her index finger shaking at me exclaiming “shame on you”!
So I let on that since this is a very special day - the birth of Our Lord, we rejoice by putting up the decorations, the crib, tree, making goodies, buying gifts for one another, new duds, midnight Mass etc. And end with
“God is love!”
“Yeah I know that, but does everyone? Or have we lost the point entirely?”
Well said sweetheart I think looking at her with a new respect – out of the mouth of babes. With no clue as to what to say next I just hug her and know that this little minx sure has it down pat about the exact meaning of Christmas – love, forgiveness, peace and joy.
I’m gonna follow this route and rejoice at Christ’s Mass. (The route to love and forgiveness, bringing forth peace and joy). How about you?
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