When we first arrived in The States, I was overwhelmed by the importance given to Halloween: the costumes and the candy and the whole town celebrating what I thought was a pagan festival with negative connotations. Trick or treating in Britain, at least when we lived there, implied the possibility of a trick if “sweets” were not supplied to the teenage yobs standing threateningly at the door. I could not allow my small children to join in with this national pass time when we arrived in California. My cultural presuppositions were too strong, despite the sugar coated American interpretation of Halloween: cute costumes, young kids and smiling faces. Instead of dressing up for Halloween in 1999, I promised Tom, James and Alice a Christmas party when they could dress up. This response to Halloween prompted us to begin a family tradition that has continued for the 9 years that we have lived in California.

My reaction to Halloween has softened, although I think that it is extraordinary that it should be celebrated in schools while Christmas is banned for its religious associations. There is no attempt to make decorations, to have Christmas parties or to write letters to Santa Claus (hardly religious, but fun!). In my opinion, American children are missing out on potentially the most enjoyable time of the school year. When I was teaching young kids in England we enjoyed decorating the classroom and putting on Christmas plays.  Increasingly multiculturalism was pushing teachers to be politically correct, encouraging them to embrace other religions, while pushing the Nativity into the background. However, I was still able to teach the kids about the first Christmas in a way that would be impossible in public schools here.

My desire was to introduce our American friends to a fuller appreciation of Christmas. I decided to put on a Nativity play in our home. This would normally happen in an elementary school or at church in Britain but I felt that one put on in a home was a relaxed and fun alternative. Our very first home Nativity party was very sweet as our children were young. Alice was only four and she was thrilled to be Mary. Each child was invited to come in costume and a local 16 year friend played the piano as we sung carols. We  tried to introduce our friends to the concept of afternoon tea: scones, cake, cups of tea etc but gradually we have given up and now offer a finger buffet at a later time.

We have some poignant memories. Destiny a thirteen year old girl played Mary one year. This was her last Christmas as she was suffering from a rare and debilitating illness. It gave her family great joy to watch her playing that role. We have had Jewish and Muslim friends attend out party. The Muslims have come from Iran, Palestine and this year we will welcome a guy from Turkey. Our Jewish friends lit the menorah last Christmas and the year before, to celebrate Hanukkah, and I lit a candle to illustrate  Jesus the light of the world entering this dark world as a baby. I believe that many Americans are happy to be invited to share our Christmas traditions with us. They are not forced to share our faith and their smiling faces suggest that they enjoy themselves. For those who do not go to church, our celebration may be the only opportunity for them to hear carols and the Christmas story.

We can only invite a small proportion of our friends to our annual party. Our raised hall becomes the stage and fitting everyone in, so that they can see, will be a challenge this Sunday. I have the daunting task of finding kids to put on costumes and teenage musicians to play the carol music. For me the hardest part is cleaning and tidying a very messy house before everyone arrives. Once we have enjoyed the carols and the drama, the party is easy, so long as our hungry boys have not eaten most of the food before the guests arrive!

Wherever you are celebrating Christmas, I hope that you will take time to consider the real meaning of Christmas: celebrating the birth of Jesus. The angel said to Joseph when he was concerned about Mary’s surprising pregnancy: ..”do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”  (Matthew chapter 1 verses 20 – 21)

I am so thankful that Jesus is my Saviour.

Merry Christmas!

No related posts.

 Email This Post