Adventures in Parenting

I happened to come across the Shrek Christmas show on TV last week. I am not a fan of Shrek movies. I think some of the humor and themes are not appropriate for kids while making itself out to be a children’s movie.

Anyway, back to the point, this Christmas show had Shrek trying to create a perfect Christmas for his family.

Shrek gathers his  wife and3 children bundled up warmly in a picture perfect setting in front of a cozy fireplace. “Now I will tell you the Christmas Story,” declared Shrek. ” ‘Twas the night before Christmas…’ ”

I did not watch the rest of the show as donkey created chaos to Shrek’s “perfect” Christmas. But something about Shrek’s idea of “The Christmas Story” rubbed me wrong.

I grew up with Christmases that were nothing more than 2 weeks of no school, and a few lackluster presents of socks and sweaters from relatives. Christmas held no meaning for me.  The “Christmas Story” for me was not even Santa Claus, nor did I have any understanding of such deep lessons as experienced by Ebenezer Scrooge.

But as my faith in God of the Bible matured, I began to realize the significance of the birth of Jesus, the true “Christmas Story”.  Christmas was the story of a baby born in a humble manger who proved to be Christ the Lord, the Savior.

Yes, I understand that Jesus was not actually born on December 25th, and yes, I know celebrating Christmas may have its origins as a pagan holiday. But no one can deny that the “Christmas Story” is tied to the historic event of the birth of Jesus of over 2000 years ago.

No matter how secular Christmas has become, we can reclaim the true meaning of Christmas in our home. It doesn’t have to be about Santa at overcrowded mall, and gifts for me, me, me. Let’s create in our homes a Christmas that reflect the true “Christmas Story”, with Jesus in the center.

I am reflecting more about this in the next few posts.