In order to give our kids something tangible to attach to the real reason for the season, we got together with Abby Mae and Sam's parents and threw a birthday party for Jesus. We enjoyed a delicious Christmas brunch, complete with a birthday cake, then we all sang Happy Birthday to Jesus and blew out the candles. (Abby went to Target with me earlier in the week to get all the stuff to make the cake, and informed me and everyone around us that "Jesus wants sprinkles!" So our cake had lots of sprinkles.)I think it's working. If you ask Abby what Christmas is, she'll tell you enthusiastically "It's Jesus' birthday!" As we drive around looking at Christmas lights, I've enjoyed telling the kids how Jesus came into the world as a little baby to be the light of the world, and the reason there are pretty lights everywhere is because everyone is celebrating His birthday. We've read the story of the baby in a manger almost daily since I unpacked all the Christmas books, and I love pointing out the star on top of the tree and reminding Abby and Caleb that when Jesus was born, God put a big star in the sky over the place where he was born so that people could find Him and worship Him.
Oh sure, Abby's excited about Santa and presents too. But this girl loves a party, and so far, Christmas is about the biggest birthday party she's ever seen. I think she's starting to understand that this Jesus guy is a pretty big deal.
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