When the magic fades

When I was in third grade, My fingure was smashed in a minivan door and I had to get stictches. While my mom and I were waiting for the doctor, I asked her if Santa was real. She said, "well, what do you think?" and I told her I didn't think he was. She revealed the truth to me then and that was the end of the magic of Santa for me.

Christmas was always magical at our house, even after I found out that Santa wasn't real. My Mom did such an amazing job of making sure that we remembered the true meaning of Christmas that even after the magic of Santa was gone, the miracle of Jesus birth remained. Even when we did believe in Santa, we knew that Santa brought presents at Christmas to remind us of the greatest gift of all.

Zachary is in second grade this year, which is why I am remembering the moment that I knew that Santa was just Mom and Dad. This could be his last year of that magic and anticipation of Santa. It makes my heart a little sad to think about how quickly the time has gone by. My hope is that Zachary will still find Christmas magical even after he discovers the truth, as it was for me. We have continued the tradition of our daily advent from Thanksgiving through New Year at our home, and I know that both of my kids know why we celebrate Christmas. I pray that the miracle of Jesus birth would be the joy of their Christmas for the rest of their lives.