Last night, the Navy Base hosted their annual Christmas tree lighting and live nativity. This is the 3rd year we've gone and at the end of the program each year, they bring out Santa Claus. It bothers me that "the best for last" is Santa Claus and not the live nativity scene, but unfortunately, that's Christmas in America today. Honestly, in today's world, it's amazing that no one complains about the live nativity scene so I guess we should at least be thankful for that!
Chris and I are seeking to "redeem" Santa Claus in our home. Charlotte and our other kids will know from the start that the modern day Santa Claus is not real and that he's just a fun, fictional part of Christmas and that all the gifts they receive on Christmas are from us or another friend or family member. We plan to read a story to our kids every year about the real Santa Claus, St. Nicholas, who was a godly man and an example to look up to. We want them to remember that just as God gave us the gift of His Son, our focus should be more on giving to others during Christmas rather than receiving, just as the real St. Nicholas did when he was alive. So when we take Charlotte to "meet" Santa each year, these are the themes or lessons we have in mind! Here are some pictures from last night...for the 2nd year in a row, it did not go well. Her first Christmas picture with Santa went well because she was only 4 weeks old and was fast asleep in Santa's arms! Maybe she'll do better next year when we get to celebrate Christmas in the states with all the grandparents cheering her on.
She refused to sit on his lap so I got in the picture with her. They were giving out candy canes after each child sat on Santa's lap, and Charlotte LOVES candy canes, but even that incentive didn't help.
This is probably the best one we got.
Charlotte looks thrilled, doesn't she?
You may notice her fly is undone...whoops. We went potty shortly before this and she didn't want me to button her jeans back up because they're a little tight and uncomfortable for her around the waist. I obliged since her tank top covered it, but obviously in this picture you can tell. Haha. I wonder what Santa and Mrs. Claus thought!
Santa FINALLY giving her the candy cane we kept talking about. She was one happy girl the whole way home and kept saying "Santa candy cane" as she got herself into a sugary, sticky mess!.
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