Holidays

The holidays are always fun with kids. Christmas has been so fun this year. Santa had done his shopping early and was prepared to make Malie and Murphy's Christmas wonderful. Jeff and I have talked alot about how to keep the TRUE meaning of Christmas front and center. We have talked to the kids about the birth of Christ and all that His birth gave to the world and our salvation. As we know this is a difficult concept even for adults.

a new tradition we started this year was picking an angel from the angel tree. malie chose a little 5 year old girl and Murohy chose a 4 year old boy and Jeff and I picked an infnt. The initial thought was that each child would shop for his or her angel. This was not the best idea. The first night we went to buy clothes and I don't know who was more impatient, Jeff or the kids. We got great coats and gloves and scarfs for each angel but other than that it had to wait for another day. I figured I would get the clothes and then let the kids pick out all the toys. It was a good idea but we ran out of time and I hade to get Murphy's angel his toys. The weekend before we had to have everything turned in I took Malie shopping for her angel. WOW what a difficult concept for a child!

Although Malie was very willing and excited to buy for her angel she began to wonder when she was going to be included in the purchasing. It was very difficult for me not to loose my temper and tell her all the things Santa has gotten for her. We talked a lot and she needed many reminders as to why this was important but she had no understanding that her Christmas would come no matter what. How blessed are we that we can provide that for our children! It was an even greater blessing to know that we were a part of a wonderful Christmas for someone who can't always have what they want and need.

It did get a little complicated when Malie asked why we were buying presents for the angels because Santa brings presents on Christmas. I was fast on my feet and I "saved" her innocence for one more year but wouldn't that be great if everyone who needed one had a Santa Clause!

On Christmas Eve and Christmas morning it was wonderful to see the innocence in their eyes as they looked in the sky for Santa's sleigh or when they were excited about Santa leaving stockings on their bed for them to find when they woke up in the morning. I pray that the angels we bought for have some of the same innocence but reality tells me otherwise.

There is always magic in the holidays and I pray that we will be able to provide a Christmas for other children like we did this year. maybe if there was more kindness and love we would think more about what can we do for others as opposed to what can I do for myself!