Early yesterday morning, I snuck into Gemma-Rose’s bedroom.
“What are you doing, Mum?” A sleepy voice from the bed.
As I fumbled in the dark for a pair of shoes, I whispered, “Nothing! Go back to sleep.”
When my daughter got up, she discovered St Nicholas had filled her shoes with gold-wrapped chocolates.
Santa never visited our kids while they were growing up. I had no big spiritual or moral reasons for not perpetuating the Santa myth. I was just too lazy to organise everything and pretend.
But I did leave chocolates in my kids’ shoes on St Nicholas’ Eve (or early the next morning if I’d forgotten). Maybe my younger kids believed the real St Nick visited them each year. My older ones didn’t, but they loved pretending. Even as adults, they like to join in the fun.
Yesterday morning, when my husband opened the front door to go to work, he discovered a black boot filled with chocolates. My daughters, Imogen and Charlotte, found a similar boot outside their house. (Our boot belonged on a left foot; theirs was meant for a right one.) When my son Duncan came to dinner last night, and I mentioned the boots, he hid a grin behind his hand.
Are we lying to our kids when we let them believe Santa or St Nicholas leaves gifts for them? Or are we engaging in the essential practice of pretence? Are we adding magic to our kids’ lives? Are we showing them there’s a reality beyond this world?
Believing in jolly men in red suits who fly gift-filled, reindeer-drawn sleighs around the world lifts our kids beyond our perceived reality. It opens their minds and hearts to the possibility of miracles. Perhaps it prepares them for the greatest miracle of all:
On a bright star-filled night, in a humble stable, God was born into our world as a tiny baby.
Once in the world, a stable had something bigger than our whole world.
– CS Lewis
Some adults find this difficult to believe, but not kids. Kids know the world is miraculous. Unless, of course, no one encouraged them to pretend.
Photos: salt dough Christmas tree angels
I love telling children about Santa and all that goes along with the season. They will know the harsh realities of life all to soon. Why not give them this gift of joy and wonder. I know we did! Sue, I hope you and your family have been well. Write soon! I would love to keep in touch!
Nancy,
The gift of joy and wonder. Oh yes!
We’re all well, thank you. I hope you are too. Callum visited us last weekend which was a real delight. I’ll share some photos when we exchange emails.
I hope you’re having a happy Advent. Sending love to you and your family. xx
Our family is doing well. So glad that Callum came to visit. It is always so nice when our children come home for a visit. We’re just preparing now for Christmas. Still trying to decide what I’m going to make for the holiday. It’ll be about eight of us total. And that’s it. Sending you back lots of hugs look forward to getting an email from you I’d love to see those pictures you mentioned. Love, Nancy
Nancy,
There will be six of us around our Christmas table, enjoying a feast cooked by Andy. (I don’t have to worry about the menu or cooking the food!) Sometimes I yearn for the days when our whole family was together. But I’m grateful for what I have. There will still be lots of love and excitement in our home on Christmas Day. It doesn’t seem to matter how old everyone gets, we’re all a bit silly and childish, and I know we’ll have lots of fun.
I’ll send the photos soon! xx
Like in your family, here are even big kids are happy to find their schoes filled with chocolate and oranges. 🙂 And grown ups, too. It brings so much joy and yes, those are later the magical childhood memories. It also brings to life St. Nicholas and his love for people.
Wishing you a beautiful Advent!
Luana,
Oh yes, we’re passing on St Nicholas’ love and spreading joy and magic!
I hope you and your family are having a very blessed Advent too! 🩷