Friday after picking Jaret up from school, I took the kids down to Midtown Plaza to sit on Santa's lap. A fun tradition we have done since the kids were little, and a tradition I remember enjoying as a child. We were fortunate to get parking right out front which was a true blessing because of the -40 something weather. When we got into the mall, we walked right up to the Santa display and there was no line-up. Jaret was eager to sit on Santa's lap and Kirra was too, on the way, but then when she saw him she seemed a little unsure. However, with a smile and invitation from Santa, she was happy to join Jaret for a brief moment with Santa. In past years, the kids visited the Santa at Market Mall in Calgary and always received candy canes afterwards which they were expecting. However, what they received from this Santa instead was a little, stuffed gingerbread man. Pretty cute.
Since we had time on the meter, we decided to enjoy a Starbucks date together. As we were enjoying our drinks, Kirra was non-stop chatter. She even started talking to a lady who was sitting next to us before we left. Telling her about the gingerbread man, sitting on Santa's lap, that she asked for a Princess castle, and then as she skipped off she turned around and wished the lady a Merry Christmas. She was overflowing with joy and simply had to share it. The lady had a huge smile on her face as we left and asked me if she is always that happy to which I responded that she really is for the most part. We both laughed and she told me that I was lucky to which I responded that I felt very blessed and wished her a Merry Christmas. Kirra's simple faith and her willingness to share her energy and joy reminded me that we all really need to share that faith and joy with others, especially during the Christmas season.
Friday night after supper, it was time for family movie night. I had very much been looking forward to this and had chosen Miracle on 34th Street, the 1994 version, as the movie choice. Jaret started complaining the moment we started watching it, to the point that we had to turn the movie off just 20 minutes into it. Needless to say, I was a little disappointed over this and over Jaret's behaviour. After Jaret apologized, we chose a movie together as a family - Elf. As we started watching the movie, laughing and enjoying it together, Jaret again offered up a most heart-felt apology to me and said that he was sorry if he had ruined movie night and that if I really wanted to watch the other movie that we could turn Elf off and watch it. It was so very sweet. Of course, we continued to watch Elf and really enjoyed it. But, the next evening, Jaret asked if we could watch Miracle on 34th Street. Kirra fell asleep cuddled up next to me which was so cozy. It was a heart warming story about the magic of Christmas through the belief in the mythical Santa Claus that is passed down through the generations, offering hope to the hopeless. However, there is another who offers hope to the hopeless and that magic of Christmas for us is the birth of Jesus at Christmas. Our children know that Jesus is the focus of Christmas but they also enjoy the magic of Christmas through thoughts of Santa, his reindeer, gifts under the tree, Christmas concerts, and time with family over the holidays. In the end, Jaret really enjoyed Miracle on 34th Street. His favourite part was when the little boy met Kris Kringle on the street and upon finding out he was Santa replied, "I should have got his autograph."
Saturday morning, we got to sleep in a little with the late movie night. Then the kids snuggled into bed and I spent an hour reading Christmas stories with them and doing our Advent devotions by reading from The Jesus Storybook Bible. We were a few days behind so we had some catching up to do. The kids love reading these Bible stories and wanted me to read ahead but we were all caught up so we left it at that so we could finally crawl out of bed. The morning felt quite magical and a little better than the tears over which movie we should watch the night before. But then when I came up from doing a run on the treadmill, I saw the kids sitting at the table busy working away. When I asked what they were doing, they said they were making a present for God for Christmas. Jaret wrote a note and coloured hearts all over the back. Kirra just coloured - on both sides. She said something about the side shown in the photo being the universe, including space, and all the colours created. Again, it seemed like a dream and a little magical. Here is the link to our Advent readings using our storybook Bible: http://files.faithgateway.com/freemiums/advent-printable-jesus-storybook-bible.pdf
But things seemed to turn on Sunday and weren't so magical. All day long, the kids seemed to be at each other. And at meal time, Jaret couldn't sit still to save his life. In fact, we asked him to leave the table twice and not return until he was asked back and could do better at sitting still and remembering to use his manners. I can't say that I blame the kids. Terry and I both seemed to lack the patience we should have had. I think being stuck inside with such cold weather, not wanting to venture out too far unless necessary, had gotten to all of us. We are really hoping that we will have warmer temperatures soon. Perhaps we will have nicer weather for Christmas so that the kids can even play outside in the snow. So after some ups and downs from the weekend - times we wanted the moment to last forever, and times when we had had enough - the weekend was over and the kids tucked and cozied in their warm beds. As I was tucking them both tonight, I shared with them the lowlight of my day being how they didn't get along so well or listen as they should and that my highlight was playing CandyLand in front of the Christmas tree. We prayed for getting along, better listening, and more patience. But as they drifted off to sleep and I was staring down at them lying there in dreamland, I felt more blessed than ever. Blessed by my children and despite the difficulties we face, I am thankful for even these as it helps me to be more appreciative for the positive and fun times we share as a family. Grateful for the warmth of our home, the clothing on our backs, and the health of our children. This just reminds me that we need to continually rejoice and give thanks to our God and also pray continually as He guides us on this journey of life.
"Rejoice always, pray continually." ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17
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