Everyone who celebrates the real Christmas in our culture usually has added Santa to the celebration. For good or for bad he has become a part of the season. And there is good and bad in that addition. The bad part for me is that Santa makes Christmas "all about me" as the child worries about what Santa will bring him. Perhaps I blame Santa too much. Perhaps the addition of gift giving even without Santa would do that. The average child is not ready to focus on giving. He is too self-centered. So Christmas begins with "me" in the way we celebrate. Talk all you want about the real meaning of Christmas - the child will go to sleep Christmas eve excited because Santa is coming.
Yet fairy tales end and children grow up. The focus gradually changes. One of the joys of being a parent is that you become Santa and you are totally focused on delighting your children.
Yet there is still another whole level of Christmas celebration that occurs to those who focus their celebration on the Savior himself. It happens over time as year after year you celebration this "holy day". The story become etched on your heart. "And in came to pass in those days. . ." becomes more important than "Twas the night before Christmas. . ."
Then life itself brings a unique set of challenges to each of us that cause us to reach out to this Christ Child. Those personal experiences change our hearts and the holiday comes and we find ourselves celebrating the birth of the One who has given us so much! Our hearts are filled with loved for Him. What a celebration Christmas then becomes.
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