Heathen Christmas
When Hannah was five, my Mom sent us a nativity.
“Oh cooool! Action figures!” Hannah exclaimed when she saw the set. She and Eli spent the next two hours acting out various stories with Jesus and his band of robed worshippers. None of their plotlines were biblically accurate.
Playing with the Jesus action figures is still one of their favorite holiday activities. I admit to a wicked sense of delight as I watch my children play out some decidedly irreverent scenes with the iconic figures. Picture Mary in her ever-kneeling position whirling through the air as a Ninja.
This year Isaac and I were cleaning the kitchen as the kids unpacked the Christmas decorations. We could hear the excitement in their voices as they discovered “the Jesus dollhouse.” Eli, now 8, said, “And here’s the baby Jesus and her little nest.” Isaac and I grinned at each other.
My own childhood was heavily fortified with morality lessons and Christian folklore. The story of the miraculous birth of Jesus was as familiar to me as Cinderella or The Three Bears. It would have shocked me to meet children like mine who have barely committed the names of the characters to memory.
I make an effort to review the facts with them, in hopes that they won’t be woefully ignorant of this cultural landmark. In my telling I make a point of avoiding some of the more dogmatic themes, including any sort of reference to immaculate conception since that part is just freaky. Here’s a rundown of what I’ve told them:
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Mary and Joseph were traveling at the time of Jesus’ birth and the Bethlehem Inn was completely booked, so they had to stay in a barn.
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Jesus was born in the barn surrounded by animals and he was put to sleep in a manger filled with hay.
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A magic star appeared in the sky to let everyone know that Jesus had been born and that he was really, really important.
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All sorts of people traveled from far away to come and visit the baby, having heard rumors that this new baby would be “the prince of peace” and “king of kings”. Many brought gifts.
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Jesus grew up to be an important leader for the people. Not the kind of leader who invades other countries and starts greedy, oil-grubbing wars, but a selfless type who worked to heal the sick and feed the poor.
I’m not sure what any of this has to do with the frenzy of consumerism and excess that Christmas unleashes every year. I mean, what would Jesus do for the holidays if he was around? It seems unlikely that he would be at the mall looking for the perfect pair of slippers.
Still, now that my Christmas shopping is done and my pantry is full, I’m looking forward to a quiet week at home enjoying my family and playing with my new toys.
Here’s hoping that all of you find whatever you seek this holiday season.