Making Memories
Christmas should be a time of remembering our Saviour and celebrating His birthday. He is the object of the Christmas carols. He is the source of the spirit of giving. He is the joy in Christmas cheer. We celebrate because of Him. Don’t let this secular world steal the true meaning of Christmas from your heart.
It has long been tradition for many, that the celebration of Christ birth has been marked by the gathering of family. Whether you gather with extended family or simply your household it is a wonderful time for making memories. These memories will last a lifetime, and whether we realize it or not, they will have an impact on our children and the decisions that they make.
As my children I desire them to have good memories of their childhood in my house. However, this does not happen by accident, but rather by design. I must be intentional about creating good memories with my children. Some parents believe that creating good memories requires the absence of discipline, however, this is not true. In fact just the opposite is true. A lack of discipline will grow from the inconvenience of a misbehaved child to the rebellion of a stubborn teenager. This will make living in your home like a nightmare for yourself and not very memorable for your children. However, I believe discipline can be maintained and true joy had in the home creating the perfect environment for making memories.
“My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.” (Proverbs 23:26) There are two very important reasons to make memories with your children. The first is that memories are the pathway towards having the heart of your children. Memories bind the heart of the child to their parents’ heart. Memories can have the power to keep the restless youth from wondering away. Memories can also be the cord that draws the wondering back to his parents. We see this exemplified in the story of the prodigal son. “And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,” (Luke 15:17-18) He returned to the father when he remembered the good things. We must give our children some good things to remember.
The second reason we want to give our children good memories is that they might, “observe my ways.” If we want our children to do what is right than we would be wise to create some good memories of how fun it is to do what is right. Yet, if we fail to make good memories for our children than they will associate the way we live with the lack of precious pleasant memories. This causes them to seek a new way to live that is “ more fun” if you will.
Parents, this Christmas season, be intentional about making memories with your children. This doesn’t have to cost a ton of money, just a little of your time!