(TRADITION- PART II)
I believe in Miracles. I've seen them in my life and I've seen them in the lives of loved ones. There are miracles all around us that often go unrecognized. With the Christmas season upon us, as I've been focusing on the miracle of the Savior's birth, I've thought of my own little miracle growing with in me and the miracle that will be this child's life. With the focus of miracles and the emphasis of tradition all around, I can't help but think of the tradititions I want to pass on to my "little miracle".
Dave's and my first Christmas together as a married couple we decided that we didn't want to have Santa Clause as guest in our home; flying reindeer and a fat man in a red suit delivering gifts to children all around the world, keeping a list of naughty and nice are not the "miracles" we want to focus on. That being said-Dave and I both grew up in homes where we left milk and cookies out for santa, wrote dear santa letters divulging our deepest wishes, and anxiously waited for our presents-confident in our nice to naughty ratios.
Maybe I feel the way I do, because I feel guilty about my lack of focus on the Savior in Christmases past, I don't know. I actually don't know ANYONE that doesn't practice the Santa Clause tradition, which makes it a little challenging to be one of the mold breakers.
While our decision was made several years ago, with the pending arrival of our first born, we are even more committed to a "non-traditional" Christmas. While Santa won't ever be visiting my home, I'm hoping that the real "Christmas Spirit" the spirit of the Lord will.
I know I'm not the first or the last person to feel this way, and if you're someone that has been looking for an "alternative" way of celebrating Christmas but have been unable to figure out the details, I would love to tell you how Dave and I have been enjoying our Christmases in the past, the present, and our plans for the future.
In Palau-when you are going against tradition or customs, they refer to it as "going against the tide". As I've told family and friends about my feelings on the holidays, I've felt like I'm going against the tide. I'm not trying to get on my soapbox and tell others what customs they should or should not follow. We all have to make our own choices and do whats best for us, and this is the choice that Dave and I feel is best for us.
May you all enjoy your own family traditions and have a Merry Christmas!!!
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Do You Believe in Miracles?
Posted by Sheryl at 3:17 PM
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7 comments:
I think it is great that you want your home to be that way. To me the figure of Santa is a happy and compassionate one (we never got that much from Santa- maybe that has something to do with it), but I know that for some it can be too commercialized along with selfishness and stuff like that. But that's great for you guys! I know some people who do that, too so you don't have to feel like you're the only one.
I am so glad you found me... it has been sooo long since I have talked to you. Congrats on being pregnant, that is so exciting. I wish I had a website or something for my blankets, but I dont. It has been a fun hobby. I am sorry you have been feeling so sick. Keep in touch.
Suzette
Sheryl...did you know that Michael, Asher and I won't be visited by Santa either...It is amazing, that although we have differing beliefs, you and I can be so similar in others regarding our religions. I think that you and Dave's stance on Santa is awesome. I sometimes have a hard time being a mold breaker...but it's great to see such confidence in you doing so!
I told Aubrey two days ago that Santa doesn't exist but I'm not sure she knew what I was talking about. I'm also not sure what Adam felt about me revealing this information. If we do go with the Santa tradition, it may be more for fun but she'll know it's just pretend. Who knows. I do agree that it's too much about Santa and not enough about Christ.
I love your idea of doing Santa (Sinter Klaus) as part of a Dutch tradition and getting him out of the way on December 5th. Great plan!
Haven't you guys seem Miracle on 34th Street? Just kidding...I just don't think believing in Santa takes away from the spiritual aspects of Christmas at all! To us a fat guy in a red suit seems silly, but that's because we're adults. To each his own, though, and luckily I don't think believing or not believing in Santa has any impact on how a kid turns out, so we can all rest easy on whether or not we're screwing up our kids, at least with this small detail.
I'm all about believing in Santa because I loved it when i was little (and Mads is really excited about Santa coming, almost more than Craig and I are about telling her about it), but my neighbor has two kids and doesn't do Santa for them just because she believes it's foolish to spend so much time convincing them that a fake figure is real. She's Catholic but it has nothing to do with religion. I don't think you should worry about breaking the mold at all. It only matters to you and do what you want to, not what anyone else thinks.
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