As the holiday season approaches, I’ve found myself reflecting on the significance of Christmas and its implications for my family. This may seem unusual, considering my Jewish background, but with my husband being Catholic, discussions about Jesus have become increasingly relevant, especially for our 5-year-old daughter, Mia. As Christmas nears, her curiosity about God, Heaven, and her own spiritual identity has sparked a series of questions that we need to address.
In one particularly enlightening conversation, Mia asked, “Mommy, isn’t that the guy who saved the world? Umm…God? Why did Santa—I mean God—put Disney World in Florida? And why can’t Santa—I mean God—make the whole world Florida?” It was evident that her understanding of these concepts is still quite muddled, and I realized we had not yet provided her with a structured religious education.
To be honest, we had been sidestepping the topic. Neither my husband nor I actively practice our faiths, and we had postponed this discussion for a later date. Some aspects of religion, like the story of Moses, were easy to convey. We simply introduced her to Disney’s The Prince of Egypt, and she seemed to grasp the essence of the narrative—although the darker themes of slavery and suffering may have gone over her head.
Jesus, however, presents a different challenge. This will be our first attempt to explain the divergent beliefs that exist within our family. We will need to convey that both of our perspectives are valid, despite the lack of common ground. While I had planned to present both faiths and allow her to form her own conclusions, I now realize that expecting a 5-year-old to discern the complexities of religious belief might be unrealistic.
Given her current “Mommy phase,” it’s likely that she will lean toward my perspective for now. However, I anticipate that during her teenage years, her views may shift, potentially leading her to explore other beliefs. For now, we must introduce these concepts in a way that is age-appropriate. After all, Christmas can be viewed as a birthday celebration, and what child doesn’t love a good birthday party—especially one filled with gifts?
As we navigate the fundamentals of Judeo-Christian beliefs, I hope Mia will not feel overwhelmed by our ambiguous answers. She may come to understand that some questions remain unanswered, just as she accepts that soda isn’t good for her, despite my occasional indulgence in Diet Dr. Pepper. Ultimately, regardless of how we frame the significance of Christmas, for her, it will likely remain “Mia’s Gift Day,” primarily focused on the excitement of presents.
As long as she doesn’t expect Jesus to transform the Earth into a grand theme park, I think we’re on the right track for now.
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Summary
In this article, Lucy Martinez reflects on the challenges of explaining Christmas and religious beliefs to her half-Jewish daughter. As the holiday season approaches, she grapples with questions about faith and identity, recognizing the importance of introducing these complex concepts in a simple and engaging manner. The discussion highlights the balance of interfaith perspectives in a child’s upbringing while maintaining the joy and excitement of the holiday season.