Christmas is much more fun with little children around. I would also venture to say it's more meaningful. Though I argue against the "Christmas is for children" sentiment, adding a small child (or two or eight) to the mix seems to make the season bloom. It's easy to disconnect from the joy and realities of a newborn baby causing such a holy ruckus if there aren't little kids amongst your celebration. 
Our family is blessed with a passel of children these days. At our annual family gathering, ten of us were under the age of 9. Even the uncles, aunts, and cousins without children of their own were carrying a baby or talking wide-eyed to a tot on the knee. It was the first Christmas for GrandBoy Liam and his little 4-month-old cousin Elijah. Lucky for them they had lots of older cousins to show them how to party with the family.
A baby's first Christmas also begins new family traditions for the mama and daddy. Which gifts do we wrap? Which are from Santa? Do we open anything on Christmas Eve or leave it all until Christmas morning? How do you put this darn thing together (now that it's very late and we've had several glasses of wine)? Who's in charge of taking pictures and video? Traditions, of course, evolve over the years, but many are set that first year. 
Church on Christmas Eve is a big part of that tradition, though we moved from the formal evening service to the 3pm wild and woolly service more suitable for little kids. GrandBoy was decked out in adorable green overalls and his tiny little saddle oxfords. Daddy took him outside during the homily, but Liam was good as gold the rest of the time. He took it all in stride.
Christmas morning was filled with colorful toys that blinked and sang and made funny noises. Mickey Mouse and his crowd welcomed Liam aboard his new firetruck. A little tool bench lit up and made a multitude of sounds, as did play tables, keyboards, and a variety of baby-type cellphones and musical instruments. (Remind me to buy Fisher-Price stock.) GrandBoy knew something special was going on, though he had no idea why trees and lights and stockings and good smells suddenly filled his home. 
And he got his first taste of warm cinnamon rolls. Well, it is Christmas, after all. He can eat carrots the rest of the year, right?
It's very easy to understand angels, wise men, and an adoring mother when your own little tot is giggly and wide-eyed. Even dirty diapers and tantrum tears bring us into the reality of cherished babyhood.
Thank you, sweet GrandBoy and all of the little children, for helping us experience the holy and wonderful mysteries of Christmas.
No comments:
Post a Comment