The girls have really been enjoying our newly inherited nativity set as we look forward to Christmas. I must explain why this is extra special for me....
Though we've put little emphasis on Santa at our house in an effort to keep our focus on the important things and away from consumerism, it recently became clear that the man in red had caught Maia's eye and, seemingly, her heart. She had suddenly adopted new beliefs that Santa was the real reason for Christmas and Jesus just a side story that came afterwards. (Some PK!) A couple of weeks ago, as Tim and I were having a conversation about how we'd respond to her new fancy, a teller at the supermarket excitedly announced that Santa was, in fact, just upstairs! Maia was elated. I was a little torn. Not wanting to feed the me-ism of Santahood but also not wanting to be a Grinch, I decided to ask questions first. After it was determined that the real reason she wanted to go see him was actually just because he was giving out treats -- and not at all because she wanted to ask him for gifts -- we went up to meet the jolly fellow. Ironically, Maia wouldn't go within three feet of him. When it was clear there would be no lap-sitting, Santa went ahead and asked, "What would you like me to bring you for Christmas?" (
Oh boy, I was thinking,
Let the self-centredness begin...) But instead, Maia gave a surprising answer. "I would like a Christmas tree." Santa was stumped. I was elated. "Maia, we're just about to buy a Christmas tree when we leave the store." Santa stammered for a response. The poor guy came up with: "Er, well, I'll be sure to look at your tree when I come to your house." Funny!
Anyways, it has been decided that we'll just stay on course. We won't deny Santa's existence -- he seems to exist all over the place anyways! -- we'll just make a much bigger deal about the God-child who was born and all that that means for us.
So we've been reading a beautiful Christmas story book with Maia every day this week, and each day adding the next part of the story into the nativity. She's really been engaged with this, and I love seeing her acting out the Christmas story with all the pieces. I took this a few days ago when Maia took the shepherds to see the new baby. (Betcha didn't know that Asian bamboo makes a great Middle-eastern plant and that a banana stand could support an angel...)
Today we cut out a start for the stable and the wise men came a-calling. :)
Don't you love how she decided that the animals should have front row seats? Even the camel seems to have gotten closer than the Dad. Or maybe it's that Joseph is preoccupied in conversation with the guy behind the camel... what could they possibly be talking about???
