Growing Up Church of Christ means never going to Christmas Eve services at church. No tinsel or Christmas trees at church. No living nativity scenes. For me Christmas is more of a national holiday, although I realize it is a holiday celebrated worldwide. There’s nothing in the Bible indicating Jesus was born on December 25th. Although if it helps someone think of Jesus more on one particular day of the year, then its a good thing. As far as I’m concerned, I try to think of Jesus 365 days a year, not just on supposed special occasions like Christmas and Easter.
Birthday cakes for Jesus – This was pretty much foreign to me. I had always heard of people doing this, but had never seen it done before.
I can remember one time in 4th or 5th grade, our class sponsored a needy family during Christmas time. We made ceramic Christmas ornaments for them. We bought toys for the children and clothes for the parents. Later on the whole class went over to the family’s home to deliver the gifts. I can remember that family having a very sparse amount of furniture. The PTA room mothers and our teacher wanted us to see that not everyone has the luxuries that we have. It was an awkward time. But obviously the point the adults were trying to make, worked since I still remember it even today.
I’m sure they’ll have plenty of people helping at the soup kitchens tomorrow. People tend to become very aware of needy people’s problems during this time of year…then forget it the rest of the year.
When was the last time I truly believed in Santa? 5th grade maybe. I realize that might be a little old these days. Rumors of Santa’s non-existance persisted in elementary school. But I never believed them.
On Christmas morning my sister and I would wake up (I’d usually be first to wake up) and run into the living room where the Christmas tree was. Santa would leave our gifts stacked up in 2 piles. It wasn’t difficult to tell who’s was who’s. We’d spend much of the morning putting together the toys labeled “Some assembly required.”
I was notorious about trying to figure out my gifts. I would try to peak underneath the wrapping paper. A few times I managed to find out. There was always an ongoing conflict with my mom to see who could outsmart who. Usually she would win by wrapping my presents in a 2nd box.