Kid Connections

Christmas grouch...!

Yehey, Christmas day has come and gone!

I've come to the conclusion that I really can't stand Christmas!!!  My husband and kids love it but I just find it an exhausting time that consists of tidying, cleaning, organising, wrapping, stressing, etc, etc... not to mention the endless amount of sweets that doesn't help me in my ever attempt to loose weight (some no doubt will end up in the bin) ... or the well meaning gifts that don't suit (and you think your nearest and dearest know you well) or the things that I really would have appreciated that no one ever thinks about - like some peace and quiet, a couple of hours in a health spa with a massage to boot, 1 gin and tonic (just one would be wonderful!) and the time to enjoy it, a mess free lounge or kitchen that appears before I enter the room rather than when I leave it!?!  Now that would be a real blessing!

Christmas ...

Well that time of year has arrived ... the time that I live slightly in a quandry about whether to spend any spare money we have on presents for our kids, knowing there is not much they actually 'need', or give the money to needy children elsewhere!?!  Ideas here.  We can't not buy our kids gifts - that would just be mean, even though it would serve the less fortunate well!  But it's one of the things that stresses me out about Christmas. 

It's no secret in my family that I really don't like certain aspects of Christmas.  I don't like puting the Christmas tree up as my husband will only have a real tree (and it needs to be a decent size!) and it drives me crazy trying to get it perfectly straight and free from wobbling ... and will the boy pull it over anyway this year!?!  I don't like the pressure put on folk to buy lots of gifts when they can't afford to and the pain of anticipated disappointment on kids faces when parents can't get them what they most desire.  I don't like to think of those who are desperate, alone, hungry or lonely, particularly at this time of year.

I don't like so much of this time of year and yet there is so much I absolutely love about it ...

I love watching all the funny feel-good Christmas films like 'Home Alone 2' with the kids.  I love sitting in the warmth of my living room whilst watching the snow on the trees outside ... and there really needs to be snow!  I love decorating the Christmas tree with the kids when at last it sits upright, and adding wee treats for them.  I love watching the kids get excited and talking about 'waiting' for Christmas ... and helping them think about waiting for Jesus.  I love spending time with my husband ( a Christmas freak!) and with my kids with nothing else to do but just enjoy that time.  I love watching them build snow men ...through the patio windows of course.  I love getting the house all tidy and burning beautiful Christmas smelling candles that make you simply love being at home.  I love Christmas dinner with all the trimmings and even more love to prepare it.  I love seeing the faces of my kids on Christmas morning as they delight in the gifts they've received, particularly when they really do appreciate what they have rather than reminding us about what else they would have liked! 

May you know the joys of Christmas amidst the struggles we see and share in our word, and know the true peace of knowing God.
 

Let there be food, let there be laughter, let there be ... dancing!!!

It's been a hectic few weeks with so much partying and celebration.  We had an amazing night at Konaki's as we celebrated a friend's birthday on the 19th.  The food was delicious, washed down with a few tasty glasses of red wine, and to top the delightful conversation as we dined we were treated to some Greek dancing at various points in the evening - amazing!  There was a real feeling of celebration and the dancing added something quite special.

Our youngest daughters seem to have the dancing bug too as they have really got in to Christmas party mode.  They have danced around in their princess nighties and had great fun singing along to their favourite Disney songs.  They thoroughly enjoyed Christmas day with early morning present opening followed by a big breakfast and an even bigger Christmas dinner - opening Christmas crackers was the highlight though as they had been on the Christmas tree for over a week and they were desperate to open them.  They were made (by me) with personal gifts for each of the family as traditional crackers seem to be a bit pointless when most of the contents end up in the bin.  My mum stayed with us for Christmas, which the kids were thrilled about as they love having Grannie around.  I love to see the expressions on my kids faces as they delight in the surprises they get at Christmas but I was a bit overwhelmed with the amount of presents in our home.  I have to say that it does cause me to think of those who have little or even nothing and is the source of a bit of a black cloud over the festivities for me. 

God may you comfort those who are alone, those who are in places of need or danger, or who are far off from knowing your peace and joy.  Amen

Alternative gifts this Christmas ...

A friend bought us an alternative gift when our baby son was born a few months ago.  It was the gift of a birth certificate for a child in Bolivia, which is essential for them to access healthcare and other services. It means that child can go to school and access a doctor - somethings that we take for granted.  I'm struggling to come up with ideas for our kids that (a) they need and (b) don't cost a fortune!  We need them to understand more about giving rather than getting at Christmas but with so much talk between them and their friends about what they 'want' for Christmas it is difficult to know where the balance is without them feeling so hard done to!

Check out the following alternative gift ideas:

http://www.greatgifts.org/

What will your Christmas dinner cost?  £12 will buy a nutricious meal for 70 children in Cambodia.  £14 will buy 20 chicks, which will produce eggs and meat to eat and sell for families in Sri Lanka.  Gifts start at just £5.

Compassion have 1353 children waiting to be sponsored. 

You can't change the life of them all but you could change the life of just one of these children.   http://www.compassion.com/default.htm

Celebrate the real meaning of Christmas – Love. 
Visit the Christian Aid website http://www.christianaid.org.uk/love/ for details of the free Christmas love appeal resources.

Support Christian Aid's appeal at your church and use the free resources to inspire everyone with the real meaning of Christmas.  It’s about so much more than Xmas trappings.  It’s about unconditional love that gave up everything for the poor, the weak and the broken.  There's also free resources available to help promote their virtual gifts catalogue, Present Aid.