by Pat Lamb (Author of: Let the Children Come; Children, Come to Me; When the Stars Fall Down; Widening the Church Doors to Teach the Narrow Way; My Thinking Book; Love is….) Books are available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble; www.patlambchristianauthor.com
Train up a child…
Finding Time for the Kids in the Christmas Season
It is ironic that most of what we busy ourselves with in the Christmas season is for the kids, yet because we are so busy, we don’t have time for the kids. The truth of the matter is that time spent with the kids may be far more valuable than any toy or other gift that we may give them.
There is no doubt that intentions are good as we scurry about decorating, baking, buying, making gifts, singing songs, and all the other things that go along with the ideal picture we have painted in our minds of Christmas. Even with the best of intentions, we often miss the true meaning of Christmas and fall short of the ideal goal we have set for ourselves.
It is unrealistic to think that we can go all year filling every moment and doing all we can, and then at Christmas time add “umpteen” other activities without subtracting something. If our schedules are already full, how can we add anything? Yet, we seem to think we can be super parents and do just that. If we are already doing all we can, something must be subtracted before we can add anything else.
What can be subtracted from our schedules to add the special Christmas activities? Of course, this is an individual matter. Each of us must scrutinize the daily schedule to see what can be eliminated. Perhaps this is the time to check the freezer for foods that can be heated and served without a great deal of cooking. Deep cleaning is not a necessity. It can wait until after the holidays. Family togetherness can be accomplished in doing Christmas projects together. Many things may simply be put off until after the first of the year.
Incorporating the children in the Christmas activities allows us to accomplish the special tasks and also spend time with the children. Children love to be a part of secrets. They can help select a gift for dad from mom or for mom from dad or for grandparents. It is surprising what children can think of that we often overlook. They can be a big help in providing ideas. While on that shopping outing, have lunch with the children at a special place of their choosing.
By all means, let the children help decorate. Their ideas may not be perfect in our eyes, but that is not the important thing. The children will remember more about what they contributed than what we thought looked acceptable to our friends and neighbors. To this day, I remember pasting together red and green strips of construction paper to make chains to go on the Christmas tree or to hang around the elementary classroom at school Those chains were not the prettiest decorations, but we had a part in making them!
Planning ahead and grouping activities together really helps to save time and nerves. The more trips we make, the more time it takes. (Also, the more gas it takes!)
A child can do without “a perfectly decorated home” or “the perfect toy” easier than that child can do without his/her parent’s time and attention. Perhaps we should put on a DVD of soothing Christmas music, calm down, and really enjoy time with the children as all work together to show love to one another. After all, isn’t showing love what Christmas is all about? John Peterson wrote a cantata titled, “Love Transcending”. Christmas is “love transcending” from heaven to earth. We can help spread that love around the earth as we remember the real purpose of Christmas.