How can we keep Christ in Christmas?

As we prepare for Christmas, many might wonder, “Are my traditions honoring the true meaning of Christmas?” We asked around for answers to some common questions and found some great ideas. So before you buy that battery-operated Feliz Navidad-singing reindeer, you may want to consider what some clergy and religious in our diocese have to say about some Christmas customs for the holidays, and how to include religious symbolism in your celebrations.

Should Santa and elves be left out of decorations? Can I include these decorations while still celebrating the true meaning of Christmas?

Msgr. Louis Kihneman says…
Parents need to use their own judgment in deciding whether or not to include Santa and elves during the holidays, but here are some things to consider. Children who believe that the gifts they receive Christmas morning are from a magical man with unending resources are less likely to appreciate what they have been given, and the sacrifices their parents make in providing them. Greed and materialism can overshadow the holiday season, which is meant to be about giving, loving and worshiping God.

This doesn’t mean we must leave Santa completely out of Christmas. Children can still play the “Santa game” even if they know it is all pretend. They can make lists, sit on his lap at the mall and leave out cookies and milk on Christmas Eve. This will not rob them of their joy of the season, and gives parents the opportunity to tell their children about the godly qualities of the real Saint Nicholas, who dedicated his life to serving others and made himself into a living example of Jesus Christ.

Fun ideas:
We found one Web site that has free printable coloring books, games and stories about Saint Nicholas, courtesy of The Saint Nicholas Center. At the top of their home Web site, www.stnicholascenter.org, there is a “For Kids” tab, which links to an abundance of educational materials.

What is the significance of the colors of the advent candles? Why isn’t Advent as widely celebrated anymore, and how can I make it a bigger part of my family’s celebration?

Father Pete Stanley responds…
The candles of the Advent wreath include three violet and one rose. The violet candles are lit on the first, second and fourth Sundays of Advent. The violet candles remind us that we are in a time of penitence and preparation.  Advent helps us to recall and in a sense relive the preparation of the people of the Old Testament in their anticipation for the coming of the Messiah. They underwent a form of penance–that is of conversion–a turning away from sin and turning more and more toward God as they prepared to receive the Anointed One.  While we join them in their anticipation to celebrate the birth of the Savior, we also incorporate our anticipation, our waiting, our preparation for the Savior’s Coming again.  We, like our ancestors, fall into sin and are in need of penance.  This penance helps us to live in that great expectation of the coming of the Lord.  The rose-colored candle, which is lit on the third Sunday of Advent or Gaudete Sunday means joy.  In lighting this candle we are filled with joy knowing that soon the Lord will arrive.

Our celebration of Advent has diminished over the years due partly to an increasing materialism in our society and due to an increase of demand on people’s time in other activities.  Parents can help turn this around by ensuring that they and their children participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation once during the Advent season.

Fun Ideas:
Parents can help their children build an Advent wreath where the entire family can gather around the wreath before dinner or bedtime to read the daily Mass readings and say prayers of thanks.  Families can also prepare by using an Advent Calendar, which uses Old Testament symbols that tells the story of expectation of the Messiah.  Another part of the advent celebration is using a Jesse Tree, which is Jesus’ family tree; this can also be a fun family tradition. And who can forget the traditional Spanish Posadas, which are always a fun and prayerful experience for young and old alike.

In a nativity, some people place the three kings some distance away, and don’t move them into the nativity until Jan. 6. Some people also leave baby Jesus out of the manger until Christmas day. Why do people do this?

Msgr. Thomas Mc Gettrick explains…
“This is a scripturally correct arrangement of the figures. Having Baby Jesus absent from the crib until Christmas Day is rich in symbolism both from before Dec. 25 and after. It is also fitting to have the Three Kings at some distance as they were on a journey to Bethlehem. We too are on a journey…”

Fun Ideas:
For an inexpensive nativity, look online for free printable, paper-doll nativity characters. We found one that comes colored, or uncolored, courtesy of Illustrator Marloes de Vries (www.marloesdevries.com). If you have children, this is a good project to teach them about the birth of Christ.

Is there any religious significance to fruitcake, pan de polvo or tamales, or are these cultural traditions?

Sister Kathleen McDonagh informs…
These traditions are specifically cultural. Fruitcake is widely used in many cultures as part of the Christmas celebration.  Pan de polvo and tamales are part of Hispanic celebrations, not just Christmas, but also weddings, quinceañeras and fiestas. Cultural traditions are important to the people of each culture, so in essence, we are celebrating Christ’s birth with foods that are special to us, like fruitcake, pan de polvo and tamales. While the religious celebration of Christmas is most important, many people return from Mass to continue the celebration of Christ’s birth with these special foods. Thus, the religious celebration “spills over” into our meals and our everyday lives where, indeed, it has an important place. Hopefully, our baking traditions will continue to enhance the Christmas season and our Christian lives.

Fun Ideas:
For very “good” fruitcake, pan de polvo or tamales, sprinkle in some holy water, and say a prayer of thanks. Here’s a simple prayer, with a line from Romans 8:28: “Thank you Lord, for all things great and small. We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. Amen!”

What is the significance of the Christmas tree? Is there a Catholic prayer for blessing the family Christmas tree?

Msgr. Lawrence E. White answers…
The significance of the Christmas tree has progressed over the years. The story that I particularly like is the one that credits St. Boniface with giving us the Christmas tree as a means of teaching us about the Holy Trinity since it has a triangular shape.  He also saw the Christmas tree as a holy tree, the tree of the Christ Child and a symbol of Christ’s promise of eternal life.  Legend has it that he encouraged people to carry the evergreen tree from the forest to their homes and to surround the tree with gifts that symbolized love and kindness. As we look upon the Christmas tree, decorated with lights, let it be a reminder of the gift of life given to us with the birth of the Christ Child and of the light that He brought into the world.

Fun Ideas:
Yes, there are blessings for the Christmas tree in your home.  One of the many blessings comes to us from the Shrine of Our Lady of Providence:  Dear God, two thousand years ago, you brought your son, Jesus into this world to teach us the power of love and sacrifice. As we raise this tree, we remember his birth and the meaning of his life for us. Bless this tree as a symbol of our celebration of Jesus’ birth and our gratitude for his sacrifice. May the joy this tree brings and the gifts we place under it remind us of the many gifts you have given us. We ask your blessings upon our loved ones, this day and always. Amen.