Christmas through the Eyes of Our Children

The top line in my notes for this story reads, “Christmas is the one holiday that kids and parents can enjoy together. – Deagunn A. (10) Loa”

That line is among other elementary schoolers’ punchy proverbs, which we received to make up our Christmas print issue this month. I copied and pasted them into my Word document to help me think of a good front page piece. Others like, “Instead of expecting gifts, give them this year,” or “Mary went to Joseph’s house and she said, ‘Would you marry me?’”

Some lines, I picked because they made me laugh, like Tazley’s “My favorite Christmas story is Elsa.” Others I thought were really deep or made me wonder what the kids were thinking when they wrote them, like Emma’s “All your parents want to see is you live your life.”

I spent a lot of time reading through each of these fantastic Christmas essay submissions from the elementary schools, and I don’t think that there’s really any way to outdo them … not that I would want to try!

Kids’ stories can be very telling. If we were organizing these essays based on topic, I would have grouped them into three sections, which capture the essence of the way many of us think of Christmas: 1) family and traditions, 2) giving and receiving gifts, 3) the Christmas story. So, let’s take a quick look at each of those topics today.

Family and Traditions

Now, we are not organizing these essays by topic because it’s much easier to find your kid’s writing if it’s with the rest of the ones from their school. But if we were, family and traditions would be the biggest section. After all, family is an important part of Christmas.

For kids, family and traditions go hand in hand. They tell stories of waking up their siblings on Christmas morning, putting up the Christmas tree together, and many, like Deagunn, even enjoy spending time with parents during Christmas.

Giving and Receiving Gifts

Giving and receiving gifts is another Christmas theme that is often at the forefront of kids’ minds, so much so that it would get its own section! Kids have often learned from a very young age that Christmas is not about getting gifts, but sometimes they have a difficult time replacing the idea of getting gifts with something better. 

I liked Journee’s little proverb here: “Instead of expecting gifts, give them this year.” Many kids like her told first-hand experiences of the joy that comes from giving rather than receiving. Some liked to pick gifts to give anonymously to people in need. Some made promises to give more than they received because it made them happier.

The Christmas Story

Finally, the most important part of Christmas — still — for many in the world today is the story of Jesus Christ’s birth and life.

A good number of kids pointed out the importance of the stories that make this season significant in the first place. Kate’s version of the Christmas story told the events with simple faith and rudimentary understanding, but it’s clear she knows some of the significance of what happened. Others gave a simple “Christmas is about Jesus.”

Creighton wrote the most profound statement about remembering the Christians’ Savior this season: “It is an opportunity to pause and give thanks for the love, Hope and Joy found in Jesus- Our Savior and Friend.”

Christmas through the Eyes of Our Children

In conclusion, this flashy, sometimes funny, sometimes deep front page piece will have succeeded only if it convinces you to read, enjoy, and think about the true meaning of Christmas through the eyes of our children.

And then, as Deagunn says, enjoy it together.

– by Abbie Call

Picture by Melody P. (5th) Bryce Valley Elementary School.

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See “Christmas through the Eyes of Our Children,” all of the essays it mentions, artwork and more in The Byway‘s December print paper.

In case you missed them, begin reading Wayne High School’s Christmas articles here.