How can I teach my daughters the true meaning of Christmas?

This year i was not able to buy my daughters(4%26amp;7) christmas presents. A church donated to us and they each have 5 gifts to open. Every Christmas they have had before however, I was financially able to go all out and my kids got a bunch of crap that they really didnt need,or deserve. I want to teach them what Christmas is really all about this year.Now that we really have nothing, I see how silly it is, the way Christmas has gone commercial and people make such a big deal out of gifts. I want to make them understand that we dont have alot, but we need to be thankful that we have what we do have cause right now there are many people with a lot less. My girls are pretty stubborn, and they both have pretty bad attitudes. I took my four year old to donate her old clothes today, and i think she liked doing it, but my 7 year old is going to freak on christmas with only 5 gifts. I want them to know that its not important. Any ideas on how to show my children the true meaning of Christmas? And also this Santa Claus thing....i feel so ashamed for lying to my children.....now all of that ';be good cause Santa is watching'; crap is irrelevent...it really doesnt matter how ';good'; you are. Its how much money your parents make. So now I have to explain why ';santa'; thinks that they were not good. Ugh this is frustrating. Can I please have some advice? Thanks alot. Merry Christmas.%26lt;3How can I teach my daughters the true meaning of Christmas?
Do you know how long i have waited for someone to say this , it is exactly how i have felt about Christmas for years.





the best thing to do is to stop everything and start from scratch.





Tell you daughters the truth about Santa to start with , he is as pagan as Christmas trees, the Easter bunny and the tooth fairy. make sure the understand how much you love them and that you are giving them as much as you can emotionally and materially.





I had that conversation with my children and they were actually scolded by a teacher for telling other kids that Santa did not exist , in other words they were punished for being truthful.





I despair when I hear the stories about how people become so overextended just to put on Christmas that they are almost financially crippled for the rest of the year.





People have lost the focus of what Christmas is about, A child was born as prophesied to become King and rule for eternity. he gave manking the gift of his sacrifice to atone for our sins and we need to love him and accept him for that gift of sacrifice.





To have your children know and come to love Jesus in their hearts will be the greatest gift that you could ever give them , and it is a gift that will keep on giving.





Jesus Christ is the reason for the season ...but our selfish material self satisfied world seems to have lost that focus.How can I teach my daughters the true meaning of Christmas?
The history channel has a great special about the origins of Christmas. Sadly enough what you'll find out is that the whole thing came from pagan celebrations, and that today's modern conception of Christmas only came about through Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol. So sad but true. You might as well believe in Santa Clause.
Christmas is a pagan holiday started by the Roman Catholic Church. Just teach you kids about Jesus and what He did for all of us on the cross. Get them to have a personal relationship with Him and not just once a year just for the gifts. That is not what Jesus wants from us.
Tell them Santa only has so much time to make toys for everyone and that he has less money this year because of the economy.





AND DEFINITELY remind them of the real reason for the season.





In Christ
I just know, that when I have kids, I'm noy buying them commercial toys. I find them to be superficial. I'd rather get a few books, or make my own gifts. Of course I'd tried to teach him/her the importance.
Admitting that you have lied is a good beginning. If you go to Google, you can type in Christmas and find out the real origins of the celebration.
Load them down with gifts they never wanted, like fruitcakes, bath salts and paperweights and then fight loudly over the dinner table. You may want to bring alcohol into the equation to make it EXTRA authentic.
You can show your daughters the true meaning of Christmas by reading Jeremiah 10 and seeing how God says that Christmas was a Babylonian pagan Holiday.
Call the homeless shelter in your area and see if you and your daughters can volunteer to work feeding the homeless a meal on Christmas day.
Find some books on the pagan origins of Christmas.





Read the bible together and learn how you should truly serve your Creator.
tell them santa isnt real, read them the christmas story from luke, and be as happy as you can, even if you have to fake it
Teach them about the true gift,Jesus Christ. He is the only gift anybody needs.
I was never taught there was such a person as Santa and my two children grew up knowing the truth. I respected every word my parents said because I never caught them in a lie.





It is lying to children to make them believe in things like Santa, Easter Rabbit, Tooth Fairy and that stuff. If you will lie to them about one thing, that means the truth is not important to you. We are not to pick and choose what truth we will tell them and what lies we will try to teach them at the same time.
Take them to church on Christmas Eve so they can hear the Nativity story. Santa is about a giving spirit. When one gives from the heart, one is doing what Christ wants us to do. The spirit of Christmas is alive in those who give, rather then receive.





It sounds like you used Santa as a discipline tool. Wrong thing to do. Explain to your kids that they are not bad and that they are loved. Talk to your kids about Jesus and tell them Christmas is about Jesus. Bake a cake for Jesus and have a party with your kids
The truth about Jesus and Christmas is that Christmas is an affront to Jesus. Not only is Santa and Christmas a lie, but they contribute to taking people away from God, truth and right behavior.





You want your daughters to have a right attitude toward what they have and what they get. This year will begin their education in those areas. The way of Jesus is one of GIVE, not GET. The way of Santa and Christmas is one of GET.





Acts 20:35 -- I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' ';





2 Corinthians 9:7 -- So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.





If you want your children to learn the Ways of Jesus, teach them how to be givers.


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Are you just hoping that they won't have a fit on Christmas, or are you actually looking to create kind, compassionate and grateful young women, year round? It kind of sounds like the former not the latter. It seems like they've spent there lives thus far being indulged and now you're hoping to change their outlook in less than two weeks. I would stop worrying about that now, and instead focus on the next year and how you will begin eliminating materialism from you and your children's lives.





If your Christmas day is that big of a focus then start is by volunteering at a soup kitchen, where they will see people who really have nothing. Then go home and allow the girls to open their gifts. They are very young and I find it sad that anyone wouldn't be grateful for five gifts. If one of them throws a fit, then take away all of the presents.





I wish you well, and please remember that years of programming by the media and society takes time to undo. It won't happen overnight.
I'm having a birthday party for Jesus. I'm inviting a bunch of kids who's parents feel just the same as you and I all do. No more Santa.





Cake's cheap. Kids are easy to please. They'll play with anything as long as they're outside.





Just remember that children are God's gift to us. And they DESERVE to know about the truth of God and why we're here. God bless you for doing this. Seems like these days, people are doing things like you and me in droves; it's pretty crazy. I don't doubt this is a sign for things to come.





But, I'm putting on nativity cartoons and singing happy birthday to our Lord and teaching them the meaning of what Christmas REALLY is.





And if the kids ask why we celebrate the birth of this beautiful baby named Jesus, I just say in my own words, ';Because He loves us.';





Amen and thank you Lord for that :)





';For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.';


John 3:16
Question


How can I teach my daughters the true meaning of Christmas?


Tell her the truth, that Santa clause is a myth. Children are not stupid they understand, it is parents that deceive there children to believe in something that is not real, we should never ever lie to our children for this is a great sin in the eyes of God, teach her the true meaning, that we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. As I watched the news a few week ago they were saying that the letters that were going to Santa this year were wishes for there parents to find jobs to have money to help THE FAMILY. Many letters were like this now you tell me, would it not have been better for theses children to know the true meaning of Christmas, and Pray to there heavenly Father for the help that they so wished for, for there moms and dads I think so. Lets be honest with our children. Wishes from Santa can not come true and there are so many children that are hurt by this ever year. but prayers to God can come true to help families. Especially when the family is suffering. Remember this. Be true to your children and your self .children will understand for they are teachable and learn easy.
Santa is real because you are Santa. you can explain when they get older. If your kids moan about what they get, take the presents away and ground them for a week. tell them that's not how they should act and that christmas is not about gifts.


you being the adult should have taught them that already. Not to sound rude but it's your fault they act that way.


teach them what christmas is about, and that is celebrating Jesus Christs life.
I'm sorry your feeling so stressed out over this. That's why we are not told what day Jesus was really born on. The world tells us and our children that we want, need, gotta have everything they are advertising. Our children are taught not of Jesus but rather of a fat man in a red suite. If God wanted us to know and celebrate, I think he would want us to give to those in need. Do our children really need one more thing? The knowledge of God and his truth vs the worldly false teaching are the best gifts we can encourage and give our children. Sit your children down, ask them what they think Christmas is about, listen, tell them the truth that this is a man made holiday. I ask you ma, how would one really teach their children how to celebrate a true pagan holiday?
Tell them how much you love them, and that you are doing the best you can. Tell them Christmas stories that have meaning for you, whether it's the Bible or whatever speaks to you.





';How the Grinch Stole Christmas'; has a good message in there, it might help. Can you get it at your library?





Do you like to sing songs? I always loved that when I was a kid.





You might mention that there are people who have less than you do.





Blessings on your family.
If you want to teach them waht christmas is really about, then you need to inform them that the Catholic church wanted Christians to have a celebration at the same time that the pagans were celebrating the winter solstice. You need to tell them that most of our ';traditions'; are the traditions of men that Jesus told us not to follow. You need to tell them that Christmas should really be a completely secular holiday based upon getting what you can from others and possibly giving a little at the same time. It's time that all of us tried for a little honesty in our lives (BTW I AM a Christian!).
Teach them about paganism and the celebration of the winter solstice - since that's what Christmas is really based on.





But I'm assuming you are probably a Christian and not so into that idea.





My parents and I had Christmases like that. If you can get more family members together at Christmas (take them to Grandma %26amp; Grandpa's house, or Aunt %26amp; Uncle, or whatever), that helps a lot. If you can play with your cousins (and their toys) on Christmas, it's less apparent that you didn't get that much yourself. If there are no cousins, or visiting family isn't an option, try theatrics and/or organizing some family activities. Have the kids dress up like Santa or elves and pass out what presents you do have. Go sledding. Build a snowman - my dad and I did this every Christmas, and I loved it at least as much as opening presents. Sing carols (not my favorite, but unlike me, some people can actually sing). Drink cocoa. Watch Christmas movies. I always liked the Disney Christmas Carol with Scrooge McDuck. Play games. Tell stories.





In other words, engage in fun activities as a family. Yeah, they'll probably be a little bummed anyway - that's the way kids are. But if you're lucky, your kids will have some fun anyway, and they might learn to like the family activities more than (or at least as much as) the presents. You'll know for sure if they want to do it again the next Christmas.
I've been through this already, and unlike many, this is our affluent year, after many years of economic hardship. Make a cake, and decorate it together. Spring for candles. Celebrate Jesus birthday because that's who's birthday celebration this whole thing is all about. Sing ';Happy Birthday'; to him with the kid(s). Figure out a ';gift'; for him from each of you, ahead of time. You could hand that pandhandler you always ignore a real dollar, or a well made sandwich, whatever. There's lots of things people can do that show the kind of love Jesus did hand out to people. Try getting the movie ';The Nativity'; at your local library and putting it on to watch togther. If it works better for you, try ';It's A Good Life'; or one of the other classics instead. Pop popcorn, get the juice chilled, spring for a couple candy canes, and go sledding (you can use old cardboard boxes just as well as the plastic sleds.) Go out late and watch the stars together Christmas Eve Night. Got any candles? Light them. All of them! The message of Christmas is God gave His Son for free; find the free things, look, see what can be done with what's in your cupboards. Get out the crayons and some color paper to wrap a thing or two. Can you make cookies? The day is not about my birthday, or yours, or your kids, it's about the birthday of Jesus, anyway. It always has been.
Christmas, for me, has always been about family, so maybe you can do double duty and create an experience for them as their gift (maybe camping out in the backyard, a pajama party with makeovers, etc), and do it as a family. Memories last forever, which is longer than any toy.





Of course, the true meaning of Christmas differs from person to person, so how you show them will depend on how you perceive it. You can always bring them to church to see a Christmas pageant- I always enjoyed those as a child. You can also try to teach them how good it feels to give as opposed to receive by taking them to volunteer at a soup kitchen or something along those lines. If you're still worried about the gift thing, there are always homemade ones. Coupon books are always fun, and you can include fun ones like ';good for one hug';, ';choose tonight's dessert';, ';good for one board game challenge';. Get creative!





I babysit for twin 7-year olds and a 6-year old and they would much rather do arts and crafts with me, or be silly, or go for a walk than play with their toys. Quality time means so much more to them. By giving your daughters a meaningful and memorable Christmas, it will be easier for them to take their minds off whatever toys they didn't get. Good luck!
why not start with the fact that a generous church has donated gifts for the children, explain to them the situation and why the church would do that. and as for the santa claus part, as a kid i always knew the truth but still it was a fun game. i always treated it as a fun game and i enjoyed the tradition as a child, it wasnt a lie to me and still isnt. instead of trying to create even more outrageous lies about why santa couldnt make it this year etc how about telling them the truth about what santa is, and use it to teach them about the season of giving, teach of the birth of jesus, and that he is the true meaning of christmas. i know some families and cultures actually say its the christchild that leaves presents instead of santa, not saying you should do that but maybe use santa as an allegory for jesus





and maybe you can withhold one present from each and use those as a santa gift to ease the explanation.





just a few ideas, but however you choose to spend a family holiday i hope all goes well for you
Dial M for mythology.....
Buy them a BMW each and tell them Santa Claus brought them.
give them LOADS of GIFTS. that's the REAL meaning of Christmas.





HOPE THIS HELPS!!!!! kthxbi2pts =D