As an immigrant to the United States from El Salvador, I have celebrated many Christmas with my family the right way and the wrong way. As a child, I grew up very confused about this specific holiday which is Christmas and I am pretty sure that there are so many children out there that are also confused. My confusion was followed by questions and no straight answers just vague answers. Growing up with my aunt and her husband both not Christians also celebrated Christmas the way it was taught to them which was to follow a tradition with no deep purpose into the holiday. They gave us gifts during Christmas but the confusion was present every year "did this gift come from Jesus or Santa Claus"? both parents were not saved therefore it was hard for them to give a straight answer.
Up until this day I see many parents lie to their children by writing letters to Santa Claus and I am talking about Christians parents. It all seems cute but at the end of the day, parents are lying to their children and taking away the focus which is the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Nowadays Christmas is a very special time in our home, it is a time for us to pause, relax, and focus on the good. For the last 15 years, our tradition has been to attend the Christmas Eve service at our church, we dress well for that occasion, we come back home, get into our pajamas, have some tamales for dinner, and layback on the couch to watch Christmas movies until midnight. Oops one more thing!! we also read Scripture from the Bible at midnight and open presents. Very simple, why try to make it so complicated? this is a time for you to stop and enjoy your family which is the other gift the Lord has given us.
During the years that my children were growing, we tried to teach them that Christmas was not about them but about Jesus, and sometimes my children would get asked if they had their wish list ready and the answer was always NO. We bought gifts to Jesus which sometimes consisted of bringing a tangible item to our church for the nursery ( i.e. toys, blankets, diapers, baby wipes…). My children were always excited to bring a gift to Jesus.
As I am writing this post for the blog I have to admit that God has been good to us despite everything that is going with Covid-19 and its restrictions. My husband and I have tried to stay safe and that means following the guidelines given to us by the state of California. What has been proven to us this week is that it does not matter what guidelines you follow because at the end of the day you are under God's control. My husband tested positive for Covid-19 this Monday (12-14-20) and thankfully my children and I tested negative. One thing I am thankful for is that I am doing well and able to serve my family. I had so many plans for this week, one item on my to-do list was to bring a meal to a couple of families from our church who also tested positive for Covid-19 but the Lord said NO, "now it is time to serve your family". This year with the virus or no virus my family has decided to rejoice in the Lord and still have a content heart towards the Lord for He is always merciful.
Proverbs 31:20-21
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
Jesus gave himself for us many years ago and that is The Greatest Gift given to humanity, but there is also another gift given to mothers and that is the ability to serve our family. God in His sovereign is able to know the need of every household and although my husband is the provider of this home, my Lord has made it clear that now I should be one the one to care for my family. There are so many heroes out there (i.e. the nurses and all first responders) but I am also thankful for every housewife out there who is trying to figure out how to combat this virus and serve their family. We got to stick together and sacrifice for one another because that is what family is for.
Luke 2:9-14
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
We celebrate Christmas thinking of the gift as the baby Jesus but the gift does not end there, it ends with His Crucifixion, His Burial, and His Resurrection. Without Jesus' sacrifice, there would be no Gift, which is the gift to Eternal life with Him.
John 19:30
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
Conclusion: If you are someone who still have small children please do not hesitate to share the Good News with your children which is Jesus Christ our Saviour.
*Please let me know if this post has been a blessing to you through a comment, for it would be a blessing for me to know.
have added some verses down below for those who are not sure if heaven is your future home. Please share with me if you accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior through this post. I will be happy to rejoice with you!
9Â That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10Â For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11Â For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12Â For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13Â For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Romans 10:9–13
