Taking the "Mas" out of CHRISTmas!

In Spanish, "mas" means more.  That's what Christmas has become: more lights, more decorations, more presents, more food...more stress.

And less Jesus.

It seems like our two main Christian holidays, Christmas, which celebrates the birth of our Savior, and Easter, which celebrates the death and resurrection of our Savior, have been overtaken by very worldly beings:  Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. 

And the message of both of these characters is this:  you need more stuff. 

Yes, I know that Christmas is on December 25th not because that was Jesus' actual birthday, but because it replaced a pagan holiday.  And Santa is the spirit of St. Nicholas, a man who loved to give.

But that doesn't mean we need to celebrate by loading our kids up with more and more THINGS. 

So we're doing Christmas differently.  We're taking out the focus on materialism and "the magic of Christmas," as everyone calls it.  And we're putting in a celebration for a baby born like no other.

It's the very core, the very essence of our lives;  this baby saved our souls, and if we really believe that, then we should celebrate it!

Luke 2:52 has become our Christmas guidepost:  "And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and in favor with man."

We give gifts to each other in these categories:
1.  To help you grow in wisdom (usually a book)
2.  To help you grow in stature (usually clothes)
3.  To help you grow in favor with God (a devotional, etc.)
4.  To help you grow in favor with man (a toy or a tool, etc.)

Here's what Thing One is getting this year:

1.  LeapFrog phonics box   
                 
2.  New blue jeans and a belt

3.  Veggie Tales Devotionals for Boys

4.  A ball pit

It takes a lot more thought...and a lot less shopping!  And a lot less money.  We are not broke when Christmas is over.  We are not making up for Christmas in our budget all year long.

This year, since Thing One is old enough to understand the concept of birthday, we're adding in a Happy Birthday Jesus party and cake. 

Yes, we are doing a Santa gift, and when the boys get old enough, we will explain the story of St. Nicholas.  But they aren't going to sit in Santa's lap or believe in this magical being.

They are going to believe in the True Reason for Christmas!