There was a funny article on Yahoo! Parenting the other day about a young girl’s frustrated confrontation with the tooth fairy who had forgotten to pick up her tooth and leave money. It was really a cute article and touched briefly on how children react when coming to terms about what is fantasy and what is real. Parents often go to great lengths to keep fantasies going in an effort to prolong the magic of childhood. I remember the Christmas I was about 10 years old and was beginning to doubt the existence of Santa. We had a tradition of celebrating Christmas Eve with extended family and opening one or two gifts at midnight. Sometimes if my mom was really in the Christmas spirit we could even open gifts when we got home. This particular Christmas she let us open everything under the tree. I remember being so excited going to bed that night with all my new stuff. On Christmas morning, my mother woke us up bright and early for breakfast. Imagine our surprise when we passed the Christmas tree that morning and saw that it was overflowing with gifts. Yes, my belief in Santa was strengthened. It was one of my best Christmases ever. I believed in Santa for several years after that Christmas.
Looking back on that in adult eyes, I am glad to know the real reason behind why we celebrate at this time of year. I am even more excited to know that the true magic of Christmas is not attached to any gift I could ever give or receive, but the love God has for mankind.
Do you have any Christmas memories you would like to share?
“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21