Last year I began the fun in celebrating the season introducing LOLA LILY LOVEBUG to our family ~ mostly to my daughter who was eight at the time. My intent was to create holiday magic, to keep some of the make believe and creativity alive in our home during the holiday season. It was also to encourage a little fun and silliness, as I do love me some fun & silly in combination!
Ohhh the fun we had with Lola and her mischief. We were up early searching the house to see what did Lola get into the night before. She was full of fun and love and mischief!!
Lola and I spent a great many hours walking through the house trying to find new, fun and never before done ideas. If you have an elf in your home, perhaps you get it. If you don't, oh my... you need to get an elf and get on board! I honestly think I had more fun than anyone. I would crack myself up daily trying to think of something silly, creative and yet, Christ centered. In our home, we know about Santa and we celebrate his stuffing our stockings and coming into our home late into the night. However, he is not the REASON FOR OUR SEASON.
Although my children understand make believe and the magic of pretend, I've sat both of them down and explained to them the truth. It was difficult. When I shared with my son that Santa was make believe. The Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy too. He was ready to hear it. His buddies had been giving him the "4-1-1" on holidays. When I shared with him, a part of him was shocked I'd lied to him all those years and a part of him appreciated my telling him the truth. I explained, it was in fun that we celebrate with make believe, however I did not want him ever questioning Jesus and what He is or what He means in our lives. It was a very difficult conversation, trying to tell your child you have lied about all of these "make believe" events and then trying to explain, JESUS IS REAL. With Blake, we worked through it and he understood. We agreed, it would be "our secret" so that we didn't ruin it for the little kids who wanted to believe in the magic.
Last year, it was in late spring I had the same shared conversation with Charlie Mae (at 8). She had been hearing things and she came right out and asked me "Is the Easter Bunny Real? and Mom is Santa real? Because kids at school say he is fake and your parents do all that stuff. I told them there was no way my parents could afford it. Mom is Santa real?" We sat down and I explained just as I did to Blake. She walked away and I thought she understood. As we are approaching another year of make believe and silliness, I realize she WANTS to believe in Santa. She also has a huge heart for Jesus.
As we watched the movie Elf On The Shelf the other night on TV, I realized something. There is nothing wrong with wanting to believe in something that makes you smile and feel good. There is nothing wrong in wanting to enjoy the hijinks of an Elf who comes at night and playfully watches you through the day. My daughter is eight and being eight means allowing yourself to enjoy and indulge in the fun of the Christmas season. If I had any questions or doubts about where my daughters heart was or her understanding of Jesus, I might feel differently. As she watched the program, one of the little boys touches the elf, YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO TOUCH THE ELF or they lose their magic and have to go back to Santa. Tears filled her eyes as she saw the siblings in the movie become upset with the brother who didn't believe. Charlie Mae shared that was so unfair, because the little kids still believed in the Elf and Santa and it wasn't nice of the brother to touch the Elf and send it home. The program ends with the older brother learning to understand the make believe and all was well. To see my daughters heart fill with wanting the kids to find the joy in the make believe, it warmed my heart. In that moment I found my Christ Centered Child showing compassion. (All Glory To God!)
For unto us is born this day, in the City of David is born a savior, Christ Our Lord Luke 2:11
This may be the last year that we are truly able to enjoy the magic of make believe with Charlie Mae. I am going to do everything I can to make this a wonderful, fun, silly and most certainly Christ centered Christmas!
Here is to hoping that you and yours find the magic in make believe, the joy in the Lord and the true REASON FOR THE SEASON filling your Christmas Season!
**Below are some of the photos from last year with Lola and her hijinks ; ) Scroll over the photo and the "PLAY" button will appear - HAPPIEST MERRIEST CHRISTMAS!