Do you celebrate the tradition of St. Nick? If you do, you know that the night of December 5th, kids get their stockings filled with presents, and wake on the 6th to do a Christmas pre-game of sorts, opening their gifts. If you don’t observe this “holiday” that’s totally cool and don’t get sucked into it, because you’re probably already too stressed with that dang Elf on the Shelf, and we don’t want to add something else to make you go Clark Griswold on everyone. The following is a tale of what our St Nick looked like this year.
The night of the 5th , I read my children some info on Bishop Nicholas so they would know what this tradition is about, and after they went to sleep, I filled their snow boots with a few items.
Our version of “stockings hung by a fire”
The list of items included some needs and some wants: new earbuds for school, pencils for school, flash cards, a couple Pokémon cards, a candy cane, and a Beanie Boo stuffed animal. When the kids woke and found their treats they were (mostly) thrilled! The oldest wasn’t too stoked about the division flash cards, even saying “this stresses me out.” They ate their candy canes, compared their Pokémon cards and played with the stuffed animals, then got dressed and headed to school…
Where inevitably the comparison game began. When I picked them up that day, my oldest said to me “Mommy, I’m sorry to say this, but this was the worst year for St. Nick gifts.”
Whoa. He sounded disappointed, and actually kind of … angry! Next to him, the other two were nodding in agreement.
Turns out, many of their friends got “better” stuff: Hatchimals, movies, video games, clothes, etc. Suddenly their three Pokémon cards weren’t so great. And to be honest, I could kind of see where they were coming from- what they got WAS less thrilling than their friends’ presents. I kind of wished I could have blamed it on a fabled man who broke in and filled their boots.
Instead, I scolded them: “That is not very grateful! Remember the story of the real St. Nicholas? What did he put in the socks? Things the poor people NEEDED! Some kids don’t get anything! And you guys don’t even know know what kind of FABULOUS things you’re getting for Christmas! You’re too worried about THESE gifts not being good enough! I am so sad!”
What they don’t know is that for Christmas, they are getting LITERALLY the exact thing they want: a trip to LegoLand in Orlando! That’s pretty big, right? And when they open their presents on Christmas, they will be completely and totally happy with their blessing! And I will be completely and totally happy to bless them. Because as parents we truly love to make our kids happy, don’t we? I know that I delight in seeing their faces sparkling with joy at the things I can give them, whether they be experiences or objects. And it did really hurt me that they were’t happy with the presents I gave them, that were good presents, and things they needed. And that they didn’t remember all the other things they have received from me throughout their lives: vacations, toys, birthday parties, treats, not to mention life itself!
Well, guess what. There was a major lesson for me in that moment too. As I was driving along, after raging at them regarding their ingratitude, God nudged me. I felt Him reminding me that at times I am the same as my kids- an ungrateful wretch.
You see, I have a prayer I have been praying. It is a prayer I have been praying steadily for more than 30 months. It is a prayer that I do believe God will delight in answering. It will be an amazing gift when it comes, and it will glorify God. I want this gift so badly. Badly enough that at times it makes me forget all the amazing gifts God has already given me. I have even found myself in prayer saying “Thank you God for all the wonderful things you have done for me. And while they are so great I just pray that you would give me THIS answered prayer.” Like, “thanks for my beautiful children, and for having a job to provide food and shelter for my family, and for my siblings and nieces and nephews, and my parents, ALL of whom are healthy, and for my church… OH YEAH and thank you for giving me your beloved son. But, could you give me another thing? Something that I think is even better? Something that I have seen others receive? THEN I just know I will be really grateful for all you have done.” Maybe not exactly like that, but almost.
And what if that answer doesn’t come the way I think it should? Does that make any of God’s gifts any less amazing? Just like even if my kids weren’t going to be getting the exact thing they are hoping for, for Christmas, they have already been given so much more than they have ever earned. Even IF He doesn’t give me this gift I’ve been asking for, He has already given me so much more than I deserve. He has given me life, for all of eternity!
So… yeah. That was a pretty quiet ride as the kids and I all reflected on our ingratitude. While I was telling them to be thankful for all that they have, I myself was missing that same point in my own life.
So what’s the takeaway here, other than feeling like a wretch? I think it’s this:
Do you have a BIG prayer you are waiting on an answer for? A big gift from God? Maybe you are praying for a baby, or a husband, or a job, or a house, or a medical miracle, or the restoration of your marriage… something! Keep praying that prayer and look forward to what God will do to answer it. Because He is a good Father and He does love giving us His gifts. But also, make sure to realize all that He has given you already and know that it is all in His perfect timing, according to His will. And just know that He has already given us the absolute best CHRISTmas gift and He is eagerly waiting for us to wake up and receive it, and to rejoice in it for all eternity.
Blessings.
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