We were driving to church on a beautiful September morning, my two little girls and me.
Chantelle had been quiet for a while in her front-facing carseat, which meant that she was thinking. Finally she said,
“Mama, will Santa bring toys?”
I smiled. “Yes, he’ll bring toys on Christmas for you and Piper.”
“Will he take away my Piggy?”
I didn’t have to look to know that she was clutching her soft Pua piggy. It was her favorite birthday gift and is now her constant companion.
Chantelle had been quiet for a while in her front-facing carseat, which meant that she was thinking. Finally she said,
“Mama, will Santa bring toys?”
I smiled. “Yes, he’ll bring toys on Christmas for you and Piper.”
“Will he take away my Piggy?”
I didn’t have to look to know that she was clutching her soft Pua piggy. It was her favorite birthday gift and is now her constant companion.
 |
| Pua Piggy |
“...Can he take Piper’s piggy instead?”
I tried not to laugh. “No, he won’t take Piper’s piggy either. Santa brings toys because he loves you. He doesn’t want to be paid.”
We both thought for a moment, then I said, “Do you remember what we celebrate on Christmas?”
She did, “Jesus.”
“That’s right! On Christmas we remember the shepherds, the stable, and the star. That was the night Jesus was born.
“Santa's gifts represent Jesus's gift to all of us. Jesus died to complete the atonement and then was resurrected, so now we will all be resurrected too. We can repent and someday live with Heavenly Father again.
"So, Chantelle, Santa’s gifts represent Jesus’s love for you and for me.”
I thought about this, struck by what I’d just said.
On Christmas, we give gifts to each other symbolizing the greatest gift of all; the gift of God’s son, Jesus Christ.
Without Jesus Christ, there would be no hope of life after death, no hope of ever being freed from the stain of past sins.
Every prophet from the beginning of time looked forward to the birth of Jesus Christ, and now we look to His Second Coming. The whole world wraps neatly and perfectly around Jesus Christ; our mediator, our advocate, and our king.
We kept driving to church, Chantelle thinking about toys, piggies, and hopefully her Savior, and me thinking again that motherhood is the most enriching calling I could ever have. How else could I connect Santa and the Savior in such a powerful way, except by teaching a child?
-Jenna
Who is Jesus Christ, and why does He matter? Follow this link to learn more.
https://www.lds.org/topics/jesus-christ?lang=eng
Wonderful!!! I'm sure glad my children have such a wonderful mother.
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