Children learn ‘Faith is formed by the power of the Holy Spirit through trusted human PARENTING PAGE what they live relationships most often in the home.’ In these words, Dr David Anderson (The Child in Our Hands) reminds us that Jesus & Father Christmas This Parents Page is parents are vitally important in the growth of their provided by the larger children’s faith Do you still believe in Father Recently I’ve noticed attempts family of our congregation our faith depends on God from beginning to end. to assist parents in Christmas? to bring an acceptable balance We trust in God because God gives us that trust nurturing faith in their Some children raise the ques- — stories of St Nicholas and (or ‘faith’ or ‘belief’). personal family. tion at age 4 or 5. Others, not how he evolved into Santa until much later. The question Claus and figurines of Santa From the signals that a child is mature kneeling to worship Jesus. Faith-nurturing Christmas Symbols Bible enough to start dealing with This approach can be helpful. issues of truth and falsehood, A wise mentor once said, ‘If Always be The sights and sounds of Christmas MUSIC: In all its forms, music trust and doubt — and the someone has to share Jesus’ ready to give possibility that their parents birthday celebrations, I’m glad are all around us. can remind us that the angels an answer have lied to them. it is a Saint who was known for You can use them to reinforce for sang when Jesus was born. when some- his love and generosity.’ your child the real significance of GIFTS: Jesus — the greatest one asks you More than a century ago FP Christmas. Use these starting points gift ever — was born as a about your Church wrote a newspaper The important thing is that as you talk with your child. baby as Christmas, and later hope. Give a editorial which has become a our children know what we Encourage them to find mean- as a man gave his life for us. kind and classic response to the question: celebrate at Christmas — the birth of our Lord and Saviour. ing in other sights and sounds CARDS: Messages on cards respectful ‘Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as How we celebrate is a secon- of Christmas. and Christmas letters remind answer and love and generosity and devotion dary consideration. Keep Jesus CHRISTMAS TREES: us of the angels’ joyful keep your conscience exist, and you know that they the focus of your Christmas Traditionally they are pines and message that Jesus birth was clear. abound and give to your life its and your life all year long. can be seen as arrows pointing good news for all people. highest beauty and joy. . . Accept Santa as a character to God in heaven, who made the 1 Peter FOOD: Candy and cookies and Nobody can conceive or imagine in a nice seasonal story. world and everything in it — special meals show us God’s 3:15,16 (CEV) all the wonders there are unseen Santa is a loveable, fictional including trees — and who sent his generosity, providing much and un-seeable in the world.’ Son Jesus to us at Christmas. character. Jesus is really God. more than we need or deserve. That was fine for Mr Church, One day your child will ask: WREATHS: Their round shape SANTA: Originated in the but what about Christian reminds us of the eternal (no story of St Nicholas, who is parents today? Do we actively ‘’Do you beginning, no ending) nature of remembered for following participate in the whole ‘Santa still believe God and God’s love for us. Jesus’ example and helping Claus is coming to town’ ethos in Jesus?’ CANDLES: Candles and other lights people who were in need. of Christmas, with its focus on That’s the remind us that Jesus is the light that gifts (earned by good behav- most shines in the darkness, to show us ior)? Or do we try to insulate important the way and give us hope. our children from it? Most of question Prepared by the Resource Centre for Children’s and us allow Jesus and Father you’ll ever Family Ministry, Parafield Gardens Uniting Church, answer. as part of the Mission Resourcing Network of the Christmas co-exist somehow. Uniting Church in South Australia
KUCA NEWS Spring 2005 page 21 Photocopy back to back and cut to make A5 handouts