The little ones are preparing their gifts to present to the baby Jesus tomorrow night at church. They'll tuck them in the hay near his Christmas crib after mass.
"Mommy, do you think that Jesus comes and gets his gifts or do you think the priests just take them?"
"Jesus can do anything He wants to do. If He wants to take your present, He will. And if the fathers take your gifts, they do it because they are His hands and feet on earth. Either way, Jesus receives your gift."
I don't really know what happens to their gifts every year. I have never asked permission because I don't want anyone to tell us we can't do it (you see my true character revealing itself here). Maybe the janitor throws them away. It doesn't really matter as long as the children get to give them.
The older kids don't put things at the manger anymore. They still give Jesus gifts but they are a more interior kind. Private... just between the child and their Lord, unless they want to share with me.
I was informed by one of them this year of their certainty that either the cleaning crew or the priests must take the little ones' gifts. I said, "Probably. But Jesus isn't just a nicer version of Santa. If He wants to take those gifts with His own two hands, he will." The child looked thoughtful, as if needing a moment to process that information, until finally deciding I was correct. "Yes, mom, you're right...it's not like He's Santa or something."
Isn't it funny and sad how quickly we lose our sense of wonder and belief? We have never done Santa and have always taken great care to convey the reality and truth of the Incarnation. And yet there remains that little doubt...
Oh, yeah... I almost forgot that God is that big and that real that He can step into our lives in any fashion He chooses.
One of my very favorite books to read to the children is The Clown of God by Tomie Depaola. There is one scene in the book that depicts people processing into the Church on Christmas Eve to present their gifts to the Christ Child. Not just their prayers or sacrifices but actual objects to lay at his feet. The juggler (the clown of God) sees this procession and wants to give to Jesus, too. But he is poor and old and homeless and has nothing to give...except his juggling. He pours himself out juggling for the image of the Child and collapses, dead from the exertion of this final gift of love. "For you, sweet child! for you!" he cries. I have read that book many, many times over the years and I can never get through it without choking on those words.
I've always thought it would be wonderful to do that as adults; I mean to physically approach the image of the Christ Child carrying our very best, whatever that might be. I think it would tell us a lot about how we love Him on a regular basis. Would be cheap with our materials because "it just goes to the priests"? Would we take less time to complete our work because we're a little busy with holiday happenings? Would we write a shorter story, bake a smaller batch, or sew a simpler garment?
Or would we give our best, pouring ourselves out, not because we will be noticed or useful in any way... but just because we love Him?
"What will happen to the scarf I made Jesus, Mommy?"
It is in Jesus' hands. He will never overlook your gift. Make sure it is your very best.
4 comments:
this is a beautiful post. We have that book and I love it. how wonderful that you and your children actually present a gift to the Christ child at the manger, and something I am now considering. thanks.
keep on giving to JESUS! we give our hearts. we paint wooden hearts gold and place then in the nativity. the children's hearts remain with Jesus on His birthday.
have a MARY CHRISTmas!
pax Christi - lena
What a beautiful tradition to give gifts to Jesus, to tuck them in the manger at church! Beautiful!!
We have not done Santa either. And up until this year, the children have never asked. This year, they asked ... And I really didn't know what to say, how to explain it, without getting complicated ... Why we celebrate St. Nicholas' feast day but that we focus on Christ's birth on Christmas. That Santa is simply part of the lore of Christmas, that his image came from the saint ... My children suddenly wanted to write letters to him this year. I think my 8yo must know, but she deserves an explanation from us. And I think it was especially hard because my 3yo noticed that he didn't come ... It doesn't help that they get asked about what they got from Santa by various people ... Any suggestions? What did you say to your children at various ages? Thanks!
Merry Christmas!
Hi Sarah!
The best thing for us is just to keep it as simple as possible and to be straight up about everything. We have talked about St. Nicholas and the history of the evolution of the Santa figure. Then we tell them how people pretend that Santa comes with gifts... but only if they ask. Since we homechool, they don't hear about it at school which helps a lot. The kids really have no problem with the truth and the littlest ones think about it the least of all.
The complication (as you have mentioned) is when other people bring it up. I really think the best guidance we can give the kids is to be polite and honest. It's a tough spot for them to be in sometimes. I have been lectured and chastised in public by strangers and a couple of my children have as well. Some people have become rather upset. The kids think it's pretty odd!
As I said, the littlest ones are always the easiest because they don't question too much. My 3-year old has no clue who Santa is at all so if someone asks she's just quiet and no one thinks she's anything but a normal toddler. The middle ones do know but really don't have any interest. They are the ones who are asked the most questions like the ones your kids are fielding. Sometimes they are just polite and share what gifts they received while ignoring the Santa part. Other times they are just silent. If a questioner persists, they will simply state that mom and dad give them gifts, not Santa.... this usually shocks and dismays the questioner into silence. lol! The oldest ones are greatly relieved that they are no longer asked about Santa and they are wonderful with the younger kids... helping them to focus on Jesus.
Hope this all helps a little. There's no black and white answer. But I would counsel not to stress about it. :) Talk about the Santa figure if they want. Just keep it lighthearted and always come back to Jesus. God bless you!
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