Christmas Conspiracy - The Christmas Story

Many parents are saddened when their children learn the truth about Santa Claus. Why do you think this causes sadness for them? Why is this Santa Claus myth so important and why do so many of us work so hard to keep the myth alive in our children?

On Christmas (or Christmas Eve), which Christmas story is the one that you share with your children or grandchildren (if you have them) …the “Santa” Christmas story, or the “Jesus” Christmas story? If you haven’t shared one in the past, do you think you should share one in the future? Which one? Why?

In the “Jesus” Christmas story, we are told that Mary “wrapped him [Jesus] in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” God is all-powerful. Can you think of a good reason, or two, why God didn’t see to it that there was a place for them in the inn?

Perhaps part of the reason we like Santa is because it makes sense to us….you get gifts if you’ve been good, but not if you’ve been bad. We sometimes struggle with the whole Jesus thing, because even those who are really, really bad can be forgiven and given new life. Do you struggle with this at times? Are there people you have trouble forgiving and it bothers you that Jesus will forgive them? Do you sometimes have trouble believing that Jesus can forgive YOU for some of the things YOU’VE done? If either (or both) of these are true for you, pray for God’s help with this.  

When you pray, is it like you’re sitting on Santa’s lap and you’re going through your wish list of things you would like or things you would like to have happen? How could your approach to prayer change to that you were praying in the name of Jesus, so that you were praying to follow God’s will for your life? By the way, does it scare you to pray to follow God’s will for your life, since your life might look very, very different if you were to follow God’s will instead of your own? Think about it. Pray about it. 

Christmas Conspiracy - The Family Photo

When was your last family photo? Was it a joyful experience, or challenging? Why is it so important to have a family photo anyway? 

Why is it so important for many of us to send this photo to others? 

When was the last time you looked at a family photo from when you were a kid? What memories does the photo bring to mind? Are they pleasant memories, or memories you would rather not remember? If they are memories you would rather not remember, have you ever sought help dealing with those memories? 

Imagine you are the photographer taking the first Christmas photo of Mary, Joseph, Jesus, and the rest. Is there anything you would have added, or taken away, if this was the photo they were planning on sending out in their Christmas cards that year?

Speaking of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, have you ever thought about the conversation between Mary and her parents when she told them she was pregnant with Jesus, that she was carrying the savior of the world? Can you imagine if you were Mary, the conversation between you and your parents? How about if your daughter was Mary? 

Look at a recent photo of your family. Now imagine that Jesus is in the center of the family photo. Think about how different your family would be if this were the case. What would it take for this to be the reality for you and your family? On the other hand, maybe he’s already there. How different is your family because he is? When did you last celebrate that difference? 

Christmas Conspiracy - Presents or Presence

Of all the presents you’ve ever received for Christmas, which one do you remember the most? Do you know why you remember it so well? How well do you remember the presence of loved ones at Christmas time? If you had to pick, which is most important to you, the presents you’ve received, or the presence of those you love?

What could you do this Christmas to be more present with family and friends? What would you have to sacrifice for this to happen? Is it worth the sacrifice in order to have more time with people you care about?

One of the names we use for Jesus is Emmanuel, which means, God with Us. Is God truly with you at Christmas? How so? What could you do this Christmas season to allow you to be more open to the presence of God, to allow Jesus to be a greater part of your life?

How would you like it if someone decided to take some of the money they were going to buy you a present with and instead, bought a sweater for one of Koshy’s kids or used the money in some other way to help someone else? Would you feel gypped or would you feel really good about it? If you would feel really good about it, why not let someone know, so that maybe they could do that with one of your gifts.  

What would happen this year if instead of buying all of your gifts, you decided to make one or two of the ones you are giving? What would you make and who would you make it for? Seriously consider this as a possibility. And while you’re considering that, consider who on your list would really appreciate it if their gift was a gift for someone else, someone less fortunate, someone who might not get a gift otherwise. Consider making this happen, and letting the person know who you gave their gift to so that they can appreciate it and celebrate it too.