Christmas thoughts...

Last night we took our boys to see Santa at the mall. They really enjoyed all the decorations and the flood of children standing in line. I enjoyed watching them get all excited to sit up on Santa's lap and get their picture taken. We even managed a smile out of our 2 year old Paxton. We did a little shopping while we were there, picking up a gift for my mother-in-law and new Christmas pajamas for all of us. As is was past the boys' bedtime, we cut the shopping shorter than we would have liked and headed home. After pajamas were thrown on and teeth were brushed clean, I tucked the boys into bed and as we do each night, each boy took a turn saying a prayer. Paxton, being the youngest, usually repeats what I say, thanking God for each person in the family by name. Once he was finished, Parker, my 5 year old son, took his turn praying. The prayer was simply, "Dear God, I like that I got to go see Santa tonight. Amen." At first, I grinned thinking how simple his life is and how thankful he is for such a little event. But then, after I went to bed, I thought a little about whether I am failing to teach my sons what Christmas is about. Here my 5 year old son is thanking God for Santa. In Parker's mind, of course, someone more tangible, that he could see and sit on his lap and talk of presents, was more vivid and memorable to him. I may be expecting too much of my son, but I wish I knew if there was something I could have grabbed at that moment to teach him of God's gift to us in His son, Jesus.