Lately, I’ve found myself contemplating Jesus more than usual. This might seem peculiar since I identify as Jewish. However, my husband is Catholic, and as the holiday season approaches, the influence of Jesus becomes increasingly prominent in our household. My 5-year-old daughter has begun to ask about God, Heaven, and her role within these concepts. With Christmas just around the corner, it’s only a matter of time before her curiosity shifts to Jesus.
When it comes to spirituality, let’s just say she’s a bit perplexed. I realized just how mixed up she was during a recent conversation:
Daughter: “You know that guy who saved everyone? Umm…God?”
Mommy: “Yes?”
Daughter: “Well, why did Santa—I mean God—put Disney World in Florida? And why can’t Santa—I mean God—make the whole world Florida?”
Where do I even begin? It’s clear that we’ve overlooked her religious education. Honestly, we’ve been sidestepping these discussions. Neither my husband nor I consider ourselves particularly devout, and we’ve chosen to postpone this conversation. Some topics have been easier to tackle. For instance, when explaining Moses, we simply turned on Disney’s The Prince of Egypt, gave her some popcorn, and let the story unfold. She seemed to handle it well—aside from the slavery, the treatment of women, and the “smiting of the firstborn” bit. I can’t blame her.
But explaining Jesus is a different matter. This will be our first opportunity to convey that Mommy and Daddy have differing beliefs, with little common ground between them. To further complicate matters, we’ll need to explain that neither perspective is inherently wrong. Initially, I intended to present both religions and allow her to form her own opinions. However, while that approach may work for a teenager, expecting a 5-year-old to decide if humanity has encountered the messiah seems unrealistic.
Given her current “Mommy phase,” she will likely lean towards my viewpoint for now—Old Testament one, New Testament zero. Of course, I can foresee her rebellious teenage years when she might join a group like Jews for Jesus or, even more shocking, declare her dislike for gefilte fish. For now, we must introduce the complex ideas of God and Christianity as simply as possible. After all, Christmas, in essence, is a birthday celebration. What kid doesn’t adore a birthday party, especially one where they get to keep the presents?
I hope that as we navigate the basics of Judeo-Christian beliefs, my daughter won’t feel overwhelmed by our ambiguous answers. She’ll learn that some questions remain unanswered, much like how she accepts that soda isn’t good for her, despite my love for Diet Dr. Pepper. As insightful as she is, she is still only five. No matter how adeptly we explain Christmas’s significance, it will primarily be viewed as “Anna and Elsa Gift Day” in her mind.
As long as she doesn’t envision Jesus transforming Earth into a colossal Orlando-themed paradise, I think we’re making progress.
For those interested in more on interfaith dynamics, check out our post on navigating these conversations. And if you’re considering at-home insemination, you can find reputable products at Cryobaby. For further guidance on pregnancy and home insemination, Women’s Health offers excellent resources.
In summary, explaining the complexities of faith to a young child, especially in an interfaith family, can be a challenging yet rewarding journey. By taking it one step at a time, we can help our children understand and appreciate the diverse beliefs around them without overwhelming them.
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