Passion for Christmas

Well, my "rant" about Christmas yesterday evoked a few responses whether here (1 comment), private emails or face-to-face exchanges. One of those comments came from my husband and I didn't even think he READ my blog! LOL Well, he still may not have read yesterday's post, he could have talked to his mother last night. She shares our love of the Berenstain Bears books. And that's what my husband Chris emailed me about last night. It was about the son (Mike) of Jan and Stan Berenstain who, later in life, joined in the family business and they began writing a series of their beloved books called Living Lights "books of faith". So some of them ARE labeled "christian"...but not all of them. And part of my ire at Barnes and Noble was that the policy of labeling ALL of them "christian" does not seem to be the policy in all the stores. The B&N at Triangle Towne Center has the books displayed with the "twaddle" and I don't even know if that particular store HAS a children's religious section of books. Luckily, I now have a better understanding of where to find the various books that we love so much. As for books about the Nativity, I was so frustrated by my experience in a mainstream bookstore that I went to Facebook for help. I knew if I posted the question about needing suggestions for a great children's book I would get a response. And, within minutes, I did! Here are a few of the great recommendations:
Song of the Stars: A Christmas Story by Sally Lloyd-Jones
The Cobweb Curtain: A Christmas Story by Barclay and Baynes
The Very First Christmas by Paul Maier
Child of the Promise by Stormie Omartian

Now I just have to decide which one to get! All of them look so beautiful and just what I am looking for in a way to teach this and enjoy this with James.

Now the last of the comments I received about my blog post from yesterday comes from an anonymous source (as far as you all will be concerned). As I read my friend's comments that were privately sent, I realize how BLESSED I am to know such interesting people. I work in a field that is made up largely of the liberal-leaning political kind...and I stand with a few conservatives. And we all get along. My work has also allowed me to meet other Christians (some WAY more devout than I), Muslims, Catholics, Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses and Jews. We have varying life experiences and educational backgrounds and we all have a unique story in how we came to be sign language interpreters. So, in reading my friend's words, I was thinking how amazing it is that I know someone who has has all this information and is willing to share it. My friend spoke of the pagan beginnings of WHY Christmas is celebrated in Winter when, mostly likely, Jesus was actually born in Summer or Fall. The Winter Solstice was celebrated as a new beginning as the days slowly began to get longer and so with this rebirth of nature, so came the celebration of the birth of Jesus. And my friend wrote:

Christmas and Easter were both pagan holidays adopted by Christianity to assimilate native populations so that they may keep their own traditions and celebrations and be more willing to "convert."

Christmas: Dec 25th originates from the celebration of "Saturnalia" when groups worshiped the Sun god. The shortest, coldest, darkest day of the year was chosen -- along with EVERGREEN trees, lights (candles then), and gifts - these were placed to 'beckon' the Sun god to return during a great festival. This was believed to bring back their source of heat, light, and deity from a great slumber.
The bible doesn't quote a specific date that Jesus was born on - but it is estimated to be around early October - he COULDN'T have been born Dec 25th, outside in a stable, as Bethlehem's regional Dec climate is in the 20s to 30s. Plus, the shepherds cannot keep their flocks out at night in that temperature as mentioned being the case when he was born.
(side note: the three wise men didn't find and meet Jesus until he was 2/3 years old - not as a baby)


As a reminder to myself that this is a blog about homeschooling, all of this is absolutely relevant! I am flushing out WHAT I will teach James about my (actually mine and my husband's) World View. Again, in my humble opinion, it is better to have a deep understanding of the WHY's of things and also to understand other world views. Often knowing what else is out there in the world STRENGTHENS one's own beliefs. Besides, how else can one defend their own truths. But then again, it's all just a leap of faith.