A Gift For Jesus

I love the conversations I have with my son in the car.  Here’s one from the ride home tonight that was particularly memorable:

Baby M: Mommy, what are we getting Jesus for Christmas?

Me: I don’t know… what do you want to get him?

Baby M: How about a bush?

Me: A bush??? What is Jesus going to do with a bush?

Baby M: Play with it?

Me: Umm… I don’t think Jesus needs a bush.

Baby M: How about grass?
Me: [Silence… as I let him think it over…]

Baby M: Does Jesus have grass already?

Me: Yes, Jesus probably has grass already.

Baby M: Okay.  How about a phone?  A REAL phone.  Mommy, let's get Jesus a real phone!

Me: Why do you want to get Jesus a real phone?

Baby M: So he can talk to the angel.

On another note, big sister K was talking about her writing in class, and she chose “Christmas” as the topic.  We asked what she was writing about, and she started talking about presents, Santa Claus, and how Santa Claus is really St. Nicholas… then she goes on to say that that is not really what Christmas is all about, that Christmas is about Jesus and His birth, but then she said that it was inappropriate to write about that in class.  At first, we thought this direction came from her teacher (without us really knowing the context of the writing assignment), but after a bit more probing, we came to learn that one of her friends (who happens to be Jewish) in class told her it was inappropriate.  Big sister K said not everyone goes to church and believes in Jesus, so she shouldn’t write about it.  This started a whole new discussion about not letting her friends (who could be wrong) influence her.  People can write freely about Chanukah, Diwali, and other beliefs without worry of being chastised… why should one’s Christian faith be any different?  I told big sister K that unless the teacher (or some other authoritative figure) tells her it is inappropriate, she can write about anything she wants.  Hopefully she will take this to heart and show some gumption next time!