November 5, 2009
This month marks the beginning of holiday season for many families. Thanksgiving happens to be my personal favorite, and preparation for Christmas here in the northland can also be very exciting. I know that Mrs. Roach and I are hoping to have family visit for Thanksgiving dinner, and I always look forward to hearing Christmas carols on the radio. For children, holidays present some unique challenges and opportunities. For the next several weeks, I will be sharing with you some tips on helping your family get the most out of this holiday season.
I believe that holidays can be a welcome break from routine, a time to celebrate family traditions, and also a unique opportunity for Christian witness. Holidays provide a unique learning experience for children as to what is important and what is not, especially as they reflect our Christian heritage. But, most parents and grandparents also know instinctively that even a wonderful celebration like Thanksgiving or Christmas can provide a recipe for disaster.
This week, let’s begin to focus on some common-sense approaches to holidays that will help us see them from a child’s point of view.
First, I would affirm that celebrations and special days on the calendar are biblical. The Old Testament is full of feasts and remembrances, some very serious, and some lighthearted. God commanded His people to keep certain days special. The calendar and seasons became regular reminders of God’s faithfulness and care. Some of you belong to churches that recognize the liturgical calendar, and seasons such as Advent and Lent hold special meaning. Even if your church does not officially participate in these seasons of remembrance, as a family you can prepare for the special days that you would like to recognize.
As an educator, I also affirm the high value that holidays have for creating “teachable moments” regarding both faith and heritage. What better time to study the Christian heritage of our nation than at Thanksgiving, especially if you research who the Pilgrims really were and what they believed? When is there a better time than Christmas to talk to children about commercialization, materialism and the need for giving instead of getting? Even the ancient Israelites had a New Year’s celebration, acknowledging the past faithfulness of God and seeking His guidance for the year to come. We can do the same.
As a Christian, I acknowledge that holidays provide unique opportunities for Godly witness, in which children can and should be involved. We will explore these opportunities further in coming weeks, but it is not too early to begin discussing with your children how you can use the upcoming holidays to honor the Name of Jesus Christ in your neighborhood. Advance planning is a good idea, and your children will learn much by being involved in the process.
Finally, I must acknowledge that holidays can also be a time of stress for the family, and those hazards need to be addressed and dealt with, for the sake of parents and children alike! We will be exploring some ideas in coming weeks to diminish the challenges for children at holiday times.
Our broadcast today was sponsored by the Tea and Gift Shoppe of Bemidji, who invite you to slow down and enjoy a cup of tea.