This Christmas
“This is going to be the best Christmas ever.”
This is what my daughter told me this weekend as we brought out our Christmas tree, shopped for some new strings of lights, and hung the ornaments on our tree.
We’ve been easing our way into our Christmas preparations. We like to take it slow, focusing on one thing at a time. While many people love decorating and shopping for Christmas over Thanksgiving weekend, we spend the entire weekend relaxing and enjoying time together, reflecting on the blessings in our life.
Not too long after that, though, we start to bring out our special Advent and Christmas books. We read every night, but we save these books for this time of the year. In the books of Christmas, we’ve read about the legend of the Candy Cane, the life of Saint Nicholas, and many more. We have books that range from short and sweet and silly to more serious and lovely and deeply meaningful. She loves them all. And I can’t wait to introduce her to some new-to-her classics this year. I think she’s ready.
We begin December concentrating on Advent, preparing to celebrate the birth of our Lord at Christmas and she’s all over it. She helps find the Advent prayers to say as we light the candles each week. She insists that we bring out our Nativity sets first – but no other decorations until later in the month. I don’t know how my eight year old child acquired such an appreciation for savoring each moment, each day, each individual joy, but she does and I am so glad to know her heart works that way.
Around this time of the month, we bring out the tree and start thinking about gifts for those we love. We’ve already gathered gifts for several donation collections and she has about three more she wants to help. She was bothered a bit that we didn’t take a food donation to church this morning – my fault, I forgot. How did my child gain such an awareness that there are others in need and that we are responsible for helping?
Her class worked on writing friendly letters in class over the last few weeks, adding a letter to Santa last week. Zilla finished hers this evening, asking only for two small things for herself. As she wrote, she asked my husband and me what “non-thing items” we would like for Christmas. I told her I’d like peace and happiness for my family, the Hub told her he would like the gift of time. She included those in her letter. I was floored. When did my little girl gain an appreciation for the gifts that money can’t buy?
We’re enjoying all the trappings of the season, things like hot chocolate and footed pajamas, warm slippers and cozy socks, candy canes and cookies, holiday movies and popcorn… And of course she is wound up and silly and taking full advantage of the slightly relaxed rules about weekend bedtimes and screen time and sweets, just like any other kid. But even in her silliness, there is balance, and it amazes me. Have I taught her these things? She teaches me always…
She gets it – all of it. She understands the fun and frolic and she understands the significance of this season in our faith narrative. She believes in Saint Nicholas and Santa Claus and in the gift of the Christ Child. She believes in what is right and good and that those things will always triumph. She believes in love.
My daughter believes this is going to be the best Christmas ever.
I believe she’s right.
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So lovely Lisa. This time of year is always magical, no matter how old we get, when we get to see it all through the eyes of a child. You don’t know where your daughter learned all this, but I do. She learned it from you and your husband and the examples you are to her. I am so glad to hear all this is going on in your household this December. It makes me forget, for a little bit, the state of the wider world. Thank you and thank you Zilla.
Thank you, Kerry. I’m positive I replied to your comment here yesterday, but I don’t see it. No idea what happened. Glad this brought you some happy!
I really love how you all prepare for Christmas, and how you take your time to appreciate the nuances of the season. I love what she’s learned and how you nurture her heart for others.
This is awesome. I felt peace, reading this.
I love that this brought you a feeling of peace. <3
Hello Lisa
What a lovely post you have here. I love Christmas season and Christmas tradition. A tradition is something that makes an ordinary event feel extraordinary and special. They make memories that last for as long as anyone can remember. Christmas tradition can be a number of things, but it’s mostly what you and your family make it to be. Sharing with your family and experiencing another year alive and healthy is one of the greatest traditions of all time. Most people are happy and joyful in the Christmas season, and not many people are grouchy. Everyone flocks to spend time with loved ones and relax, since the rest of the year is often spent working and going to school. A tradition that everyone takes part in is sharing gifts. No matter what the gifts are, it’s hard to avoid giving and getting around the Christmas season. Christmas is the one time of year that even those who have nothing reach out and share with others who are even less fortunate. It’s the time of year where the tradition of love continues to spread and offer peace and joy.
Best of luck to you and your family.
It is indeed a lovely time of year, Gwyneth. I wish and hope that more people will hold the spirit of the season in their hearts and actions all year long! Thanks for visiting!
This was such an uplifting read! Your daughter’s heart reflects her mother’s, her kindness and caring will stay with her all through life! I think you could teach a class on how to approach Christmas in a manner that retains both the joy and faith of the event without the frantic rush to do too much. Blessings to you in this season, and hugs to the wise little girl who’s got it just right! <3
Thank you, Josie. <3 What a cool idea for a class!
Many blessings right back to you, my friend, and peace and happiness in the new year! I'll pass on the hugs. xo
Lisa, your daughter definitely gets it. This is such a lovely post, every bit of it. Children have such a wonderful way of teaching their parents, but I think your daughter is learning lots from her parents too.😀
Thank you, Pat. <3
I am ashamed that I didn’t comment on this when I read it. Can I blame my phone? I love this, so much. The not yet decorating at Thanksgiving (THANK YOU), the donations collections (we’re doing that too) and Zilla asking about your “non-things.” OMG precious and priceless!!!
Please, don’t be. I read so many things and have to skip commenting because I read when I’m out waiting for her places and the phone just doesn’t lend itself to comments very well.
I love that you love this – makes me feel like we’re not alone here in the way we think and do things and sometimes it feels so very much like that. She is precious and priceless – T., too. We have such amazing kids. Nobody can convince me there is not hope in this world. Not when I look at those little faces and see such goodness. <3