Jesus, Bunnies and Elvis

I should preface this blog with saying I’m not trying to upset or offend anyone. I’m just thinking OUT LOUD today on a topic that has weighed on my mind the past few years. I don’t condemn anyone if they do Santa or the Easter Bunny. In fact I grew up having baskets of candy, egg hunts and Santa.  Also, in the past for “tradition sake” I have incorporated all of the above in my own kid's lives.  Though a few years ago my holiday celebration mindset has changed. I want my kids to know the true meaning of the holidays minus secular traditions.  For me  I have a sense of urgency to teach them TRUTH now and if I don’t teach them the true meaning who is?

Not to get sidetracked but when I was a little girl I was so SHOCKED when my mom told me Elvis was dead! He died when I was 4 years old. I had watched Blue Hawaii and some of the other classic Elvis movies. I said "how can he be dead when he is on TV?" I think small children have a hard time distinguishing between reality and fantasy. Ethan has asked on several occasions when watching TV “are they real or make believe?” When he asked 2 years ago is “Santa real” our answer was no. Then we proceeded to explain the “tradition” and he had a look on his face that said “ok so you’ve been lying to me?” Don’t we teach our kids NOT to lie?

 

Did I believe in Santa as a kid?  Yes. Was I taught the true meaning of Christmas and Easter growing up  . . .yes! Praise the Lord I got it but can you see how a child could get lost in the mix of bunnies, Santa and even the Tooth Fairy? Ok if Santa and the Easter Bunny isn’t real how do I know this man Jesus you’ve been teaching me about is real? Besides I can SEE Santa AND the Easter Bunny at the mall.  As a parent what would your answer be? “Well they aren’t real but Jesus is?” Doesn’t an ounce of trust and creditability with your children go out the window with that answer? Breaks my heart to think that it’s EASIER for kids to BELIEVE in Santa and the Easter Bunny than JESUS and we as parents are teaching them to believe in those things. Elf on the Shelf included!

When you sit down and really focus on Christ it causes bunnies, eggs and Santa (even Elvis) seem ridiculous in light of what we should be celebrating. Why do we have to tack on characters like the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus to the two MOST VITAL . . . .basis of our Christian faith celebrations? Why isn't Jesus Christ's BIRTH and DEATH and the LIFE CHANGING significance of both ENOUGH?

It is for me.

 

 

 

"Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me)"

One day when Heaven was filled with His praises

One day when sin was as black as could be
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin
Dwelt among men, my example is He
Word became flesh and the light shined among us
His glory revealed

[Chorus:]

Living, He loved me
Dying, He saved me
Buried, He carried my sins far away
Rising, He justified freely forever
One day He's coming
Oh glorious day, oh glorious day

One day they led Him up Calvary's mountain

One day they nailed Him to die on a tree
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected
Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He
Hands that healed nations, stretched out on a tree
And took the nails for me

One day the grave could conceal Him no longer
One day the stone rolled away from the door
Then He arose, over death He had conquered
Now He's ascended, my Lord evermore
Death could not hold Him, the grave could not keep Him
From rising again

One day the trumpet will sound for His coming

One day the skies with His glories will shine
Wonderful day, my Beloved One, bringing
My Savior, Jesus, is mine

Glorious day, Oh, Glorious day