Family Faith and Fun Fridays: The Secret to Avoiding the Post-Christmas Blues
For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
-Hebrews 4:12
Welcome to Family Faith and Fun Fridays! As the week winds down and I anticipate more family time over the weekend, I often ask God for one good idea that will enable me to bring the Word to life and bring our family together. Usually, the activity overflows out of something the Lord has been teaching me through His Word during the week. I’d like to invite you to join me and my family in the adventure. Sometimes I’ll post things we’ve tried; other times I’ll post an idea in the works. If you’ve got thoughts to add or suggestions on how to adapt or improve the activity, please don’t hesitate to comment. Enjoy!
The Secret to Avoiding the Post-Christmas Blues
The Christmas tree is twinkling merrily in the living room. Our stockings wait expectantly on the mantle, and garland graces our shelves and tabletops. Anticipation is rising. The season of Advent has begun.
The word advent is derived from the Latin adventus, which means “the approach” or “the arrival.” The verb is advenio: “I arrive. I come. I am coming.”
The question we must ask ourselves, our children during this frenzied time of year is “WHO is coming?” As we wrap up our first week of Advent, I want to help the kids understand that all this preparation, all this pre-Christmas fun is in anticipation of SOMEONE, not something.
The truth is, if we are merely counting down to presents or parties, if we are just decorating so our house looks festive for family gatherings or holiday guests, then we are inevitably preparing for disappointment. Families-even the best of them-are composed of flawed people. Presents–even the most carefully chosen ones- will tarnish and break. Parties will pass. Decorations will fade. Wrapping paper will be torn and tossed. None of these marvelous pieces of the holiday season will fill the holes in our hearts. None will leave us satisfied when the tree is tossed on the curb and the desolate days of January envelop our wearied souls.
But if during Advent we anticipate SOMEONE, if all that we do- the preparations and the celebrations, the songs and the serving- is focused on welcoming the GIFT that never ends, then Advent becomes the season of all seasons. The sacred time that fills us for all of time.
And so this weekend, as we gather around the Advent candle to mark the second week of waiting, I will hang up an EMPTY pinata. Of course, I won’t tell the kids that the pinata has not been filled. I’ll merely invite them into the traditional whack and bust fun. One by one, they’ll be blindfolded, spun, and given a chance to hit the pinata with a stick. We’ll muse together about what is inside and what might fall out when the pinata breaks.
When the pinata shatters and reveals the emptiness inside, I will let the grumbling and complaining pass before I attempt to share this simple truth: If our Christmas count-down is focused on SOMETHING— presents, a break from school, a chance to play with cousins— then when this special holiday is over, we will feel empty like the pinata.
Then, I will pull out the bag of candies and treats that should have been stuffed inside the pinata and I’ll suggest. “But if our Christmas count down is focused on SOMEONE– on Jesus- then this special celebration of His coming will leave us FILLED even when Christmas Day is over– because that’s the secret of Immanuel. And THAT’S what we are REALLY celebrating this Christmas— God with us. Always. Even on Dec. 26 and every day after! In conclusion, we’ll divvy up the treats and pray that the eyes of our hearts will be focused on the ONE who is coming!
If you don’t have a chance to grab a pinata or simply want to save some money this time of year, try this simple paper bag variety from DLTK’s idea collection. The directions and pictures are easy to follow and the prep time is minimal. Finally, let me know if your children were able to get past the grumbling to receive the gift of a Christ-focus this Advent. (I’m hoping mine will forgive me for the big let down and remember in years to come the visual reminder of our own emptiness without Christ!)
Okay, we hauled everyone out to the driveway in the rain tonight and actually did this crazy little lesson! No need for blindfolds- it was so dark we could barely see the pinata. My husband was an amazing sport as he tugged at the rope in the rain and kept the pinata jumping out of reach and swinging with each whack. The kids jumped in puddles and laughed through the whole silly event.. until they actually broke the pinata open and discovered it was filled with NOTHING.
Follow Up….
Okay, we hauled everyone out to the driveway in the rain tonight and actually did this crazy little lesson! No need for blindfolds- it was so dark we could barely see the pinata. My husband was an amazing sport as he tugged at the rope in the rain and kept the pinata jumping out of reach and swinging with each whack. The kids jumped in puddles and laughed through the whole silly event.. until they actually broke the pinata open and discovered it was filled with NOTHING. 
After we shed our rain boots and wet coats, I hauled out the candy that SHOULD HAVE been inside the pinata and we talked about the way that Jesus can fill us this Christmas. Time will tell if in the end, the lesson held more than just laughter and sugar. Praying it spoke truth as well!
That is a great lesson!
I would love to do that this season with my kiddos!
Great idea and sounds like you had some good sports 🙂 It truly is hard to not anticipate all of the good things that come with the season, but they are not the BEST thing that comes! Glad you had rain and not snow! 🙂
~Robin