Who "brought" gifts to therapist Radek and how does he view this current parents' dilemma?
Radek Němec, therapist from the residential clinic:
If we start from the well-known sentence of Matthew in the Bible, and it reads that we should treat others as we would like them to treat us, I believe that the discussion on this topic could be very dynamic. But before you think about the sentence from Matthew, whether you would like it that way or not. So try to close your eyes now and imagine all the holiday season without advertisements and marketing attacks, psychological games of sellers, shopping frenzy. Perhaps we could see the magical concept of Christmas, the one we remember from childhood, when someone decorated the tree, watched fairy tales and still remembers the smells and sensations that accompanied him in those moments, or woke up on Christmas Day and the tree was already standing decorated and looked so magical in children's eyes, just wait until the evening when Jesus comes. I believe that these moments managed to light a flame of faith in each of us and the power to believe in something, something positive, something that makes this world of ours a more beautiful place.
Now remember, do you remember how you learned that Santa doesn't bring presents? Was it negative? How did you feel when you found out? Or you don't even remember it anymore? If you remember, did it influence your concept of Christmas for many years? Or now Christmas is one of the most important holidays for you, when time stops, even for a tiny moment, for example at Christmas Eve dinner, when everything goes quiet, and you are by the side of your loved ones and try to help them, or at least cheer them up and in return they do the same for you. Or are you trying to remember for a second how warm and magical that feeling was when you were little children sitting by the Christmas tree on Christmas Day, and are you trying to create that same feeling for your children? Answer yourself truthfully and as honestly as possible, if it would leave negative marks on you, why would you do this to your most loved one. Remember the sentence from Matthew, and now think. The more honestly you answer, the easier it will be to tell the children how things really are with Jesus, because you yourself know what it was like and how you would like others to behave.
I think it is very important not to focus on the question of whether something is good or bad, whether something is yes or no, but what is important is to know what we are doing and why we are doing it, and whether it is all about a small, insignificant thought that can growth, and which says that perhaps there is something beyond us, something that builds the foundations of humility and goodness in children's souls. And such a small thought, a seed that grows in children, can lead them to give gifts to their loved ones and at the same time believe that even Santa will bring a gift to all their loved ones. And that by doing good, good multiplies and increases, gradually grows. And that's worth it, don't you think?
I wish you all happy holidays,
Line
"Mom, is there a baby Jesus?" Parents' Christmas dilemma
Markéta Cermáková
Christmas is around the corner. Many of us are in a hurry right now, cleaning, shopping, baking, decorating parties so that we can enjoy the holiday comfort "afterwards".
And just around the corner is the winter solstice, which few people celebrate today, but which has been around since our planet began orbiting the sun. The day when the night is the longest and it almost looks like the morning won't even come out.
The darkest night of the year, when the boundaries between the worlds are thin and the darkness is powerful, and who knows how we will continue and if this night will ever end. And that's why our ancestors kept watch all night by the fires and prayed that the Sun would be born in the morning. Across ancient religions, people believed that on this night the old Sun dies and a new Sun is born in the morning. Such a sun baby that the ancient Slavs baked as a pastry, a baby in swaddling clothes, from which we have today's Christmas, a baby that became a little Jesus due to the Christianization of our culture.
The darkest night of the year, when the boundaries between the worlds are thin and the darkness is powerful, and who knows how we will continue and if this night will ever end. And that's why our ancestors kept watch all night by the fires and prayed that the Sun would be born in the morning. Across ancient religions, people believed that on this night the old Sun dies and a new Sun is born in the morning. Such a sun baby that the ancient Slavs baked as a pastry, a baby in swaddling clothes, from which we have today's Christmas, a baby that became a little Jesus due to the Christianization of our culture.
When the baby Jesus was born to poor parents in a straw manger, he received many gifts from similarly poor shepherds and from rich kings from distant lands. And as a reminder of this giving, we also give each other gifts. Perhaps it is again a remnant of pagan traditions, when the god of the forest Cernunnos distributed gifts at the beginning of winter, or simply preparing for a hard winter, when it is good for the one who has a little extra to give to the one who has little, so that everyone survives the winter and in the spring we got together again as much as possible.
Nowadays, we say that Santa carries the presents and at the same time we often compete with each other in the number or value of what we buy under the tree. This year, Christmas may be poorer for everyone and they will save a little on gifts. I think it's good. After all, gifts don't have to be just material.
The greatest gift is that we can be with those we love. Or that we do something for each other that will please him. Maybe we massage his feet, wash the dishes for him or make him breakfast in bed. And under the tree, the person in question can find a voucher for exactly what he likes.
Three foot massages, ten proper back scratches, eggs benedict and coffee with milk every first Sunday of the month, two joint trips to the castle and a proper ball game. For example.
Three foot massages, ten proper back scratches, eggs benedict and coffee with milk every first Sunday of the month, two joint trips to the castle and a proper ball game. For example.
Some parents are faced with the dilemma of how and when to tell their children how things really are with Santa. From an early age, I told my children that Christmas presents are carried by Santa and people give them to each other. From an early age, my children also put some homemade gifts under the tree for their loved ones. To this day, I see Baby Jesus as a symbol of divine abundance, a symbol of the fact that we have something to give to ourselves and we also have the desire, love, and kindness to do so - the gift of belonging is definitely divine - it is probably a gift from Baby Jesus.
"Recognize that Christmas presents have a completely different charm than non-Christmas presents. So who knows how it is with that Jesus. Let's show our children what real values and real gifts are.
Not just at Christmas time.”
Let's show them that we too have our wishes and we are happy when they come true, let's show them that a day spent with them is a gift for us, let's show them that we know how to give and receive. Both are important.
I wish you happy holidays,
Margaret
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