Christmas is coming and it will be here before you know it. Christmas is my favorite holiday and some people might say I go overboard with Christmas cheer but it makes me happy and brings me joy. This holiday is also so fun when you have kids and the magic of Christmas is in the air, reading the story of Jesus’ birth with the family, the twinkling of lights, Christmas music, Christmas movies, the gifts, and the spirit of Santa that is woven into this season. Maybe you celebrate with Santa or maybe St. Nick or this might not be a tradition that you do as a family, but all of us have our own ways of celebrating.
Our family does celebrate with Santa. We take our girls to see him at Bass Pro every year and Santa always fills their stockings. But this year is different for our family, one unlike we’ve ever had before because this year both our girls know the secret about Santa. It can be a tricky conversation to have with your kids and still keep the magic and spirit of the season alive. Recently our youngest started asking questions about if Santa was real and we wanted to answer in the best way possible. After seeing another mom sharing her story online about how she explained it to her kid. I knew I wanted to create something similar because it was unlike anything I had seen before. She wrote a letter to her kids with an explanation, but I wanted to take it a step further and share the story of Nicholas from centuries ago and how that story developed into the Santa we know and love today. The letter I wrote will be at the end of this blog and if this is the stage of life you are in or will be in soon feel free to use and adapt the letter for your kids if you would like.
This past weekend we sat down with our girls and I read them this letter. This was such a special moment with our family and I hope the girls remember it for the rest of their lives. I think you will understand why after you read the letter. One funny moment and kind of a relief to us as parents was after this sweet moment our youngest asked if she could now hold our elf, you know the elf that has to move around every night and that can be a despised element for parents at Christmas time, the elf on the shelf. We told her yes and she slept with it that night, but now we have started a new tradition where the girls take turns hiding it each night for all of the family to find. The spirit of love, joy, hope, and remembering the real reason for the season will always live on and will always be a season and holiday our family looks forward to every year.
If you need someone to talk to I am always available, e-mail me at megan@churchanywhere.us
Talk to you soon!
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Dear girls,
This year we wanted to share a story of Christmas with you that you may or may not have heard before. You have asked for a while now if mommy and daddy are Santa and we have given it careful thought to know just what to say.
The answer is no. I’m not Santa and daddy is not Santa. No one person is Santa.
Yes, we are the ones who wrap the presents under the tree and we are the ones who fill your stockings. The same way our parents did for us. One day you will do the same for your children. And then you will understand how we feel when you get to see the joy on kids’ faces and the magic that fills the air on Christmas morning.
Santa is more significant than any one person and his work has gone on longer than any of us have lived. The story of Santa Claus comes from a real man Nicholas, who was born during the third century. He lived his life obeying Jesus’ words to “sell what you own and give the money to the poor,” Nicholas used his whole inheritance to help the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and he brought hope to those he encountered. That is where the story of Santa comes from.
So now you know the secret of how he gets down all the chimneys or in houses without chimneys on Christmas eve. It’s with the help of all the people whose hearts he’s filled with joy & hope.
We take turns, just like daddy and I have with you two, we work together to do a job that would otherwise be impossible.
So, no we are not Santa, but we are on his team and now you are too. We get to spread love, joy, and hope throughout the Christmas season and really throughout the entire year. Just like Nicholas did so long ago by living a life that makes us a little bit more like Jesus every day.
We love you and always will.
Mommy & Daddy