The Reason For the Season
When I was 18 years old, my mom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and given 6 weeks to live. This is devastating news for any child, but for me, it incited a rejection of the faith I had been raised to rely upon.
I found myself wracked with doubts, “How could my God, the God I had been raised to believe was so truly GOOD, how could he do this?” “How was it possible that someone so magnificently kind could be suffering so much and be facing limited time with her not-nearly-grown children?”
My mom recovered. Many credit the power of prayer. A woman with a death sentence was, upon being opened during surgery, deemed cancer free. She came home.
But still I was shaken.
It has only been as I have begun my own family, having experienced the miracle of childbirth, that the light of faith has re-entered my life. With each day I have the privilege of watching my children grow, I feel my pleasure in prayer returning, my faith in God resurfacing. I have a desire to share my God with my small people.
Now that they are turning into small people, we talk about God a lot. They learn about God in school, but my hope is that they can see the beauty of God in their family and in the faith my husband and I hope to share.
I have always been in awe of people who wear their faith like a comfortable coat, slipping it off to share with anyone in need. Sharing my thoughts with you, like this? Well, this is a first for me.
So, this holiday season - we made a switch. We are talking about Jesus more than ever. Delaney and Cooper will get three presents each from us - as that is how many Jesus received on his Birthday.
And, we decided to have a Birthday party, complete with singing, cookies to celebrate and a story to walk them through the miracle of the holiday. I wanted to do the party ‘early’ - I’m (hopefully) smart enough to recognize that three and five year olds will have a hard time focusing on Christmas morning - and I wanted their full attention.
We used a kit from DaySpring (a division of Hallmark) to celebrate. Dayspring has a brand called ReallyWoolly - using a lamb (Gracie) and a sheep (Jacob) to make the birthday event engaging for kids. The kit includes plates, napkins, balloons, nosiemakers (a favorite in our house), story-telling-sticker books for up to 8 and access codes for an online ‘Really Woolly” experience. (check out a demo)
The small dude and I baked cookies (the kids prefer cookies to cake and we figured Jesus wouldn’t mind). As soon as Delaney made it home from school, the party started.
And yes, they did sing too.
I have to confess, there is something very special about seeing my children begin to understand the miracle of love associated with Christmas.
I’m excited to have online codes to share with you - so you and your small people can jump online to experience a Birthday Celebration with ReallyWoolly. Be one of the first eight people to comment - and I will email you the access code and instructions.
I was given this birthday kit to share this celebration with my children. The opinions and celebration shared in the post are mine alone and are not influenced by the gift.
Related posts:
- Brands and Bloggers: Starting the Conversation This new world of social media, of virtual interaction, of...
- The Christmas Highlights It is hard to imagine a more magical Christmas than...
- Snazl Stories Week 7 - Motivation and Make Up I certainly hope you have had a chance to join...
- Make a Difference Monday I will be talking about my goals/resolutions/plans for 2010 in...
- St. Louis Disney on Ice ‘Celebration’ Giveaway I like to Celebrate with the best of them. And,...
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
Great Idea! I hope to be able to do this with my kids one day. Right now our daughter is too young for this (21 months old) and the little one is due to be born in January. But I will definitely keep it in mind. I am learning so much from this website! Thank you for all your wonderful posts!
Carla
What in the world, Danielle!
THIS! THis is how I want to be, too. Faith can get so hard. I’m so thankful for my own kids and those people you wrote about who share it so easily. We just need someone to point to Christ sometimes for us.
You’ve done that for me today.
What a great idea to do every year! We are going to do it early this year too.
I love this idea, Danielle! And I can relate to your comments about being a mom bringing your faith back to the surface. Nothing like the miracle of a little person to make you realize how blessed you are, huh?
I LOVE this. First let me say, I can really identify with this statement:
“I have always been in awe of people who wear their faith like a comfortable coat, slipping it off to share with anyone in need. Sharing my thoughts with you, like this? Well, this is a first for me.”
MyDoodleBop.com website is that new outlet for me to talk about my faith (among other things), which resurfaced with intensity this summer when I was (and still am) battling with depression.
My husband is not a believer, which makes it very difficult for me. But Callie? OH, she loves everything about church and God. This summer she began attending a Classical Christian preschool which has added to her learning of the gospel and love of Jesus, Moses and Noah (she knows the stories well). I’ll never forget the day she walked up to one of my friends and out of the blue said, “Did you know our God is an awesome God?” About brought me to tears…
Regarding your birthday party idea, it’s fantastic! I’ve been looking for a family activity to do with the kids this weekend at my folk’s house. There are going to be a few who aren’t interested, but I know it will be a great experience for me and my girls. Thanks for sharing it with us!
I LOVE it!!! My little guy had a “happy Birthday Jesus” party at school yesterday… he is 3, so It is hard to get the attention off Santa and presents a bit!
I like the idea about three presents because that is the number Jesus got. I like the idea of them getting the presents early, even a day before is good, so that Christmas can really be about Jesus’ Birthday and his story/life.
We like having a birthday party for Jesus too. I will definitely have to look into that kit for next year! Thanks for sharing. I love your line about wearing faith like a comfortable coat, slipping it off to share with anyone in need…perfectly said.
Every Christmas eve we have had a birthday cake for baby Jesus. That is so cool having a party.
You know that this post made me smile! Have a great Christmas my sweet friend!
awe….that’s sooo precious. We loved celebrating Jesus’ bday when kids were younger and they know that the only reason we get to celebrate Christmas is in honor of his birthday. As my youngest son got older (around 4, he said, “MOM, since it’s Jesus birthday and he’s not here, can we have his presents?” Merry Christmas friend and Happy Birthday Jesus!
Your kids are soooo cute!
Hi there, I came over from Velveteen Mind and this post resonated so deeply with me. “having experienced the miracle of childbirth, that the light of faith has re-entered my life.” Amen to that! My mom lost her battle with cancer when I was 18 and that year I lost both a mom and the joy of motherhood. It took years and a stranger named Chuck to get it back. And the moment that they handed me my first born son I was healed through and through. Completely. In that one moment that seemed to stretch a million miles. So, yea, I totally know what you’re saying and couldn’t agree more.
(My story on that subject is here if you’re interested in comparing notes http://thegypsymama.com/2009/12/10/because-once-upon-a-time-i-thought-i%E2%80%99d-rather-eat-glass-than-have-kids/)
That faith coat you’re wearing?
It fits beautifully — understated, attractive, 100% genuine.
And your sweet children are so blessed to have a Mama willing to share the warmth of that faith with others.
And you’ve already opened the greatest gift of all?! More of sweet Jesus Himself…
Just. Beautiful. Danielle.
All’s grace,
Ann
Beautiful, Danielle. I loved hearing your faith journey–the twists and turns, ups and downs, and how One Who Loves You pursued your heart relentlessly through it all. And now you hold the hands of your children at the start of their journeys too. This feels like real Christmas…
I am beyond moved by your beautiful comments. Thank you, from the very bottom of my heart, for embracing this post. It was both challenging and absurdly easy to write - if that makes sense. I am honored to have women like you stopping by - and taking the time to share. I’m grateful. Merry, Merry Christmas.
i have never done a birthday party for jesus, but i like the idea. we do try and point to christ as the reason for the season. we always set out the nativity set, and on christmas eve, after the girls go to bed, i hide the three wise men, and when they get up on christmas morning, they don’t get to open presents, til they find the three wise men and take them to jesus and then we read the story of christs birth, (it is a short version) and then it’s time to open gifts and the havoc begins, but i do like having a party and having it early. i will have to set that up for next year. thanks for the idea and for sharing your story with us.