ItWasMe

We observe baby Jesus and Santa on Christmas. Both as real people. I don't see the conflict. It used to be a feast time for St. Nicholas, until it was changed to Christ Child day. Santa doesn't bother me when it gets to be "gimme gimme gimme" with kids instead of teaching them to share, to bestow a gift to a family member, to help those less fortunate, visit with those who are lonely.

I tell my children that Nicholas, gave gold and gifts to the needy. And I tell a couple of the stories (gold thrown through window of poor man for daughter's dowry, etc) And how he eventually died because he was a real person. I tell them that people liked him so much because of his caring and giving heart, that they like to pretend that he is still alive.

And it is a fun thing to pretend. My children get to "do the gift tree thing" at the mall each year. They get to fill each others stockings, and I get to put them on their beds while they are sleeping. And the next morning we show each other what Santa Clause (or Sinterklaas or Sint Nikolaas) brought for us.

As for baby Jesus birthday, I was taught his real birthday was in a warmer month, but is celebrated at Christmas. Way back when "one God only" was law, kids were starting to worship Nicholas on his feast day to get presents. So officials changed the name to Christ Child day instead.

ABAYA: A suggestion for you, if you decide to give gifts to your aunt's family. A relative on a tight budget one year gave us a photo album. It was filled with pictures of family over the past 20 years. Granted, this lady had boxes of old photos, probably more than your average person. But you can get a small scrapbook, or mini-album, and even copy/print your photos to give her, then give the one album to the entire family.

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"Ok, no more truth-or-dare until somebody returns my underwear" ~ George Lopez

I bake cookies just so I can lick the bowl. ~ ItWasMe