“Momma, where are you putting baby Jesus?” Drew asked, as I put away the nativity. “We will put Him up and bring Him back out next year.” I replied.
“Momma, let’s listen to Christmas music,” he asked as we pulled out of the driveway. “How about Veggie Tales instead?” I asked. “No! Christmas music ... for baby Jesus’ birthday!”
Goodness have I been challenged by my little man over the last few weeks. Have you tried to explain to a three year old why we only leave the nativity scenes out for one month of the year and why we don’t listen to “Silent Night” the other eleven months? As I wrapped baby Jesus and put Him in the box amidst his questions, it hit me. Is that how often I dwell on the birth of the incarnate Savior? Once a year?
Not only am I challenged by the amount that we focused and talked about Jesus in the month of December, but it has also caused me to stop and take a look at how much I am really teaching him about the Bible. It is easy to use the excuse that he is three, but that just won’t work anymore. As I put away the Christmas decorations, including the felt board we had done, I asked him to tell me the story and he did. Granted, it was in the words of a three year old so every little detail wasn’t precise. But he got it. He knew that an angel appeared to Mary and told her she would have a baby. Then he put Mary on the donkey and told Joseph they had to go to Bethlehem. He then placed Jesus in the stable and brought the shepherds (who take care of sheep) and the wise men to see Jesus. He then said, “Today in town of David, a Savior been born. He is Christ Lord.” Luke 2:11 He got it ... on a three year old level, but he got it. And so did his momma. These years are precious and they are few and that mind is a sponge. What am I putting in it?
 |
| Mary on the way to Bethlehem. |
So we will focus this year. Focus on training and teaching. My good friend Kim who did a lot of Advent activities with her boys is going to focus on a different story each month. I am thinking we may tag along with that and keep up the felt board fun.
And we will listen to Christmas songs all year long if that is what he would like to listen to. Besides, it will really never get old to hear him sing “Gloooooria, in exces e deo” from the backseat.
My girls' favorite songs to sing at bedtime are Silent Night, Angels We Have Heard on High, and Hark the Herald Angels Sing! So we sing them all year long!
ReplyDeleteMake sure you tell the girls Drew Drew agrees! :)
ReplyDeleteI actually just decided this year to leave one small one-piece nativity scene out for the whole year for the first time this year. I realized that I want to have that reminder around me all the time, not just during the Christmas season!
ReplyDeleteYour little guy is wise! (and so is his momma)
ReplyDeleteI play the piano at church and sometimes during the quiet time before the actual service, (especially during the summer months) I'll sneak in a Christmas hymn. It's fun to watch the faces of the congregation as one to three recognize the tune... Smile... And I can see the change that occurs in their body language....