Hopeful Homemaker

I Believe in Santa Claus

December 9, 2012 jennifer Uncategorized

Sometimes we feel like there are two opposing messages of Christmas; the religious celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth and the commercialized worship of Santa Claus. I love the book, I Believe in Santa Claus (by Diane G. Adamson and illustrated by M. Chad Randall) because it focuses on ways in which Santa teaches us about Christ.

With very simple sentences, this book compares six basic qualities of Santa with six basic qualities of Jesus. In each comparison we are invited to consider how Santa reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas.

For instance, on one page we read of Santa: “He loves little children.” When, in turn, we are invited to think about what Jesus is like, we also read, “He loves little children.”

The closing of the book says, “Santa Claus is a symbol of Christmas. The symbols of Christmas can remind us of the true meaning of Christmas. The symbols of Christmas remind me of Christ. So, I believe in Santa Claus.”

A few of the things I like about this book:
Very few words, and straightforward statements. I also like the illustrations, the list of Christmas symbols and scriptures at the end of the book, as well as the statement by the author at the end. I love having another tool in our home to merge the idea of Santa Claus with the message and meaning of Christmas. My children enjoy reading it and it provides opportunities to discuss attributes of both Santa and the Savior that we can strive to emulate, such as being the kind of people who give good gifts and who love others.

And, for the record, I, too, believe in Santa Claus!

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It’s Christmas Time!

December 8, 2012 jennifer Christmas

The wind howls outside and the Christmas music is blasting within. A plate of orange rolls sits on the counter and boxes clutter the couch. The lights twinkle and the children laugh and plan as they take over the task of decorating the tree.

We all sing aloud and smile with recognition as familiar ornaments are removed from the box, especially those they made themselves. My six year old laughs at the ornament he made last year in kindergarten. They save a few and scurry upstairs to decorate miniature trees in their rooms.

It’s a happy day, one that feels like the holidays are here and promises they’re going to be fabulous.
We are so very blessed.

Jennifer

Season’s Readings!

December 7, 2012 jennifer Christmas books

Years ago a friend gave me a copy of this painting of Santa reading a child to sleep and I’ve loved it ever since. I wish I could read the author’s name better so I can credit him/her and find additional copies of it. (If you know, please tell me!)

I love Christmas stories, particularly stories that have been illustrated in a children’s book format. The prose and illustrations bring such beauty and depth to the Christmas season. I’ve been collecting Christmas books for almost twenty years now and have a great collection. Some are tattered and curled at the corners. Some I’ve protected more carefully. Some were gifts from friends I love, some reminders of my childhood. Several years ago I compiled a list of them all, and this year a friend asked if she could use the list for a presentation she was preparing. I went through my books to update the list and sent her off with a load of Christmas books to share.

The books are back and I’ve been thinking it would be fun to share them here. Many of them are classics, stories most of us probably own, but many are less known, some out of print, some available in countless editions. I have a mix of cheerful stories and stories laced with meaning, all of which help to capture and enhance the spirit of Christmas. I’ve decided that few things bring the real meaning of Christmas to light better than Christmas stories. I love reading them to my children because they bring a bit of magic to our home. They also preach sermons about giving and selflessness that fall on deaf ears if I just start talking. These books, with their luminous pictures and beautiful words, open the hearts of my children to plant seeds of goodness in their souls.

So, welcome to a series of spotlights (in no particular order) on Christmas books our family treasures. I’m calling it Season’s Readings and I hope you’ll find a new treasure or two, and share your own with me.

Merry Christmas!

Jennifer