So, I came across this this past year, and loved loved loved this because I had actually been wanting to explain to my kids a more deeper meaning of Christmas, in relation to Santa...to keep that christmas spirit alive too. I came across it again today and didnt want to forget to post it, right as the season is taking place :) I felt such excitement as I found that someone else had wanted to do the same in teaching their children and even has a more complete list than I had compiled...about the similarities of Christ and Santa. So I feel I need to share this, to pass along such a treasure of a find, as I have felt it to be.
A way we can keep Christ in our hearts and minds and the sole reason for this Holiday!
-Here it is-
Found on :latter-dayhomeschooling.com
The Symbols of
CHRISTmas
By Dana
"This year we've been working to emphasize to our 4 littlies
the gift of Christ in our lives during the Christmas season, instead of
focusing on being good so Santa will bring presents. Still, Santa's name has
been popping up more than I would wish. One night as I was getting into bed I
had an idea that I quickly wrote down. We used it as our lesson for Family Home
Evening last night and it went over really well!
First, I held up a picture of a door I drew on a piece of
paper. This door was covering a picture behind it. I said, "Pretty soon we might have a
special guest visit our house. You never know! I'm going to give some clues
that describe this person and you guess who it is." The clues included:
- he sees you when you're sleeping. He knows when you're awake. He knows if you've been bad or good.
- he has a beard and a kind face
- he spent his life giving to others
- he's often pictured in red and/or white clothes
- he loves little children
- he gives the very best gifts
- you can never see him, but you can feel him
- he gives us a wonderful, special warm feeling
- he can get into our homes even if the doors are locked
- he has special, wonderful powers
- we want to give gifts back to him, but he doesn't need anything we could buy; he just wants us to give to other people. (My kids have been talking about giving a present to Santa.)
- I ended with, "He encourages us to be good so we will be ready when he comes."
The kids all excitedly shouted "Santa!" Then I had
the youngest come and open the door to welcome our guest into our home.
(Christ Knocking at the door)
We used this image from the Gospel Art Book. (You could use
any number of pictures, including Christ in a Red Robe, The Second Coming, Christ
and Children Around the World, etc. I just made sure he was wearing red and
white.)
The kids all gasped in amazement that I was actually
describing Jesus - there are so many similarities! We discussed how each
description applied to both Jesus and Santa, and then we talked about how Santa
is actually a symbol for Jesus, and everything we love about Santa is really
everything we love about Jesus. We can be reminded of Jesus through many
different symbols during the Christmas season, and we mentioned a few - candy
canes, giving gifts, stars on the tree, etc.
We looked at a few more pictures of Jesus and even a picture
of Santa kneeling at the manger to discuss how Jesus is the greatest gift. It
was a very enjoyable and memorable lesson. Now the youngest keeps wanting to
open the door and let Jesus in - and we let him!"
Thanks so much Dana for your help in creating such a useful and wonderful Post!
Hope you all will enjoy using this for your Kids/family every Christmas Season too <3
