We still have two that believe in Santa (and are having a great time with Redd the Elf of the Shelf) and two that know they have to 'believe' in the presence of their younger siblings. Madison, even asked if he could use his own money to buy what he wanted for himself because the dream item (a cell phone) was stricken from the list. We decided to wrap up our shopping and begin the process of wrapping the gifts. As we get closer to Christmas we will continue to discuss the true meaning of the holiday season with our kids with the hopes of them being focused on that as they open gifts and spend time with family and friends. I'll also prepare myself for the not so pleasing reactions that may come as a result of them not getting what they wanted. This actually happens every year; children walking away from the mountain of wrapping paper and retreating to their rooms to complain about what they didn't get or even worse, to remind us that they wrote down specific things that didn't miraculously appear under the tree. Micah will go full throttle into his lecture about the unfortunate children right here in our midst and how appreciative we all need to be, but some of his talk may fall on deaf ears. You see, we have done our part to contribute to the sense of entitlement that resonates with many of today's youth and I think the holiday season only exacerbates this.
I chuckled a few weeks ago when Nayada Cowherd posted on Facebook that her son asked what he was getting for Black Friday.
Sure, culture has created some of this but we add fuel to the fire. Micah saw a news report that said we should only give three gifts. I laughed and walked away and I heard him exclaim "We're taking all this other stuff back." "Yeah right!" I said under my breath but the question I ponder is why it's so challenging to create a culture that would accept this as a season of reflection and selfless giving to those in need. Some of us try really had to keep the true meaning alive, but the distractions keep coming. Case-in-point: I'm sitting in the driveway and on comes a Toys R Us commercial. "Buy one get one free...50% off all dolls and accessories!" I'm thinking, I can take the stuff back to Wal-Mart and head to Dover to Toy R Us and get even more stuff. Luckily enough the huge brace on my leg kept me from wanting to venture out; when it should have been the Holy Spirit that kept me from a day trip to a toy factory.
As parents I think we do a good job year-round keeping our family grounded spiritually, but I'm not sure why it becomes difficult to keep this same focus from November 26 or so until we ring in the new year. Out of guilt I grab a mitten from every giving tree I come in contact with, I volunteer and bake cookies and treats for those who provide a service for us throughout the year, but what I'm really praying for is the courage to really scale back and one day have a humble Christmas. Yes, I said courage. It's a frightening thought to be known as the parents who gave their children nothing for Christmas, but the necessities - -boots, coats, hats and the traditional undergarments. Even worse, is the disconnect that this may create between us and our children who try as they might won't understand why they didn't get a bunch of stuff like they've grown so accustomed to getting in the past. For now, I'll have to chalk it up to commercialism, push-over parenting and just plain getting caught up in the frenzy of shopping at Amazon.com and getting free shipping.
My utopia-like holiday would be one with no bells and whistles, just a wonderful Christmas Eve/Christmas Day with family and friends and few necessary gifts under the tree Oh...and Jesus not American Express or Visa charges on my mind.
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