Yesterday, Heather and I were teaching Hannah's Sunday School class. For part of the class, three rooms come together for a music time (kids ages 3½ through 5½). As a lead-in to Joy to the World, the couple leading the music asked the kids if any of them knew what was special about Christmas. As should be expected, the first boy said "We get presents." The second boy called on said "Santa comes." No more hands after that, until Hannah realized that no one else was going to say what she knew.... "It's Jesus' birthday!"
Later in the day, after a few frustrating hours of the kids not listening and getting into all sorts of trouble, I mentioned that at this time of the year, most kids are on their best behavior, then asked Hannah if she knew why that would be? Once again, without missing a beat, she replied "because it's Jesus' birthday!" Well, it was hard for me to make a point out of "being on your best behavior to get presents" with that response... and it was hard not to smile at her understanding of Christmas at such a young age.
My five-year-old daughter knows why we celebrate Christmas.
How come the rest of the world doesn't get it?
