One of my students asked me the other day if I found Christmas terrifying. I didn’t get what she meant. She asked, do my children still believe in Santa? Yes. So aren’t I terrified that one day they’ll find and and the magic will be gone?
Well, yes and no. I love the magical side of Christmas. The mystery. The special stuff that just can’t be explained. Bee said to me today that the only thing she didn’t understand about Santa was that nobody could live in the North Pole. That’s the only thing that worried her! No questions about the flying around the world in one night, making all those presents, having flying reindeer – just the living accomodation!
The point is that I know we’re on the point of change in the family. Bee’s eight now and pretty soon she’s going to learn the truth. I hope she might see that she can keep the magic alive for her sisters and not tell them the harsh reality, but hey, she’s eight – what are the chances of that much discretion?!
So that challenge will start about keeping the Christmas spirit alive once they realise that things aren’t necessarily all magical. I think they’ll be okay – even though I’m long past the Santa stage, Christmas is still full of magic and amazement. The wonderment of lights, music, people together, snow, presents, family that you love, friends that you love, a whole wonderful spirited life – that’s my magic and I hope the girls come to understand that.
Because love. That’s the real Christmas spirit. That’s what I want to share with my girls, even when Santa fades away. Christmas is magical. We make it magical.
