Christmas. It seems that the meaning of Christmas is different at all ages, as if it cycles.
Let's start at two years old. This is what Christmas looks like for a two year old.
They understand presents, they like the choo-choo, and they are completely over stimulated by all the toys and people.
By school age, children understand Christmas in an appropriately selfish way. Were they naughty or nice this year? Will Santa follow through with everything they've asked for?
At around 8-11 years old, a new understanding of Christmas emerges, typically with great disappointment and even a feeling of betrayal. This seems to be a big turning point in the meaning of Christmas. After a year of really processing what Christmas is, kids then enter a new cycle of a selfish understanding. They don't rely on Santa bringing all of their gifts anymore, but openly become upset and disappointed, or elated with the gifts their parents were able to produce under the tree this year.
I remember being about 10 years old and looking at the presents under the tree of an older cousin. There were no toys, just a few items of new clothing and a couple books, from what I could see. I thought to myself, "Wow, what a boring Christmas!". My cousin was in a different cycle of Christmas meaning. The young adult. Do you have a Christmas list? Sure, you can get one together when asked, but the excitement of gifts are not typically parallel to the excitement attached to a Christmas list as a child.
The next cycle hits in your later twenties. I do not believe all adults will experience this cycle, but I know I have. Single or newly married adults enter this cycle. The "I don't really need anything" cycle. The excitement of Christmas quickly attaches to the thought of spending time with family you don't often see, yummy food, and time off work! Some small gifts are exciting, but it actually becomes even more fun to give the gifts.
Enter young parents. Seeing Christmas through the eyes of your children. This meaning of Christmas is so close I can touch it, and I think it could possibly be one of the most exciting cycles yet. In exactly one year, Dustin and I will have a 9 month old daughter opening gifts. We will have a fifth stocking hanging from our chimney with care (name to be determined!). She certainly won't understand Christmas yet, but how exciting to experience your child's first Christmas. What better gift could there be?
One of the last cycles of Christmas meaning is seeing it through your grandchildren. I would imagine that there is a different excitement in seeing it through their eyes than in any other cycle.
However, in thinking of all of these stages and cycles of experiencing Christmas, there seems to be an underlying commonality. There is an excitement and warmness that fills your soul, no matter what age you are. It is simply magical.
Riley and Grayson even feel the magic!
Certainly, there is the true meaning of Christmas. The birthday of Jesus Christ, but that's another blog post.
Happy Holidays to EVERYONE, no matter what you celebrate and how you celebrate. God bless all of you who were missing loved ones during this holiday season. It is my hope that the warmth and magic of the season filled your heart today and always.
Merry Christmas.
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