As the holiday season approaches, the topic of faith has been on my mind more than usual. This might seem unexpected since I identify as Jewish, but with my husband being Catholic, the influence of Jesus is increasingly present in our family life. My 5-year-old daughter, Lily, has begun to ask profound questions about God, Heaven, and her own role in this expansive narrative. Naturally, as Christmas nears, inquiries about Jesus are on the horizon.
It’s clear that Lily is a bit perplexed about our differing beliefs. A recent conversation revealed just how muddled her understanding is:
Lily: You know the guy who saved everyone? Umm…God?
Mommy: Yes?
Lily: Why did Santa—I mean God—put Disney World in Florida? And why can’t Santa—I mean God—make the whole world Florida?
Where do I even begin? We’ve essentially overlooked her religious education thus far. Truth be told, we’ve been sidestepping this topic. Neither my husband nor I actively practice our faiths, and we’ve been comfortable postponing this conversation. Some aspects of religion have been easier to explain, like the story of Moses. We simply set her up with a snack and let Disney’s The Prince of Egypt do the talking. She seemed to take it all in stride—aside from some of the heavier themes like slavery and the more intense biblical events.
But discussing Jesus presents a unique challenge. This will be our first opportunity to clarify that her parents hold different beliefs, and that there isn’t a right or wrong in this situation. I intended to present both religions so she could form her own conclusions, but while that approach may work for a teenager, it feels unrealistic to expect a 5-year-old to grasp concepts like the messiah’s significance.
Right now, Lily is in a “Mommy phase,” so she may naturally lean towards my perspective—Old Testament insight over New Testament beliefs. Yet, in her teenage years, she might rebel by exploring alternative views, perhaps even joining groups like Jews for Jesus or declaring a dislike for challah. For now, like many other complex life questions, we’ll need to introduce the ideas of God and Christianity carefully and simply. After all, Christmas is essentially a birthday celebration, and what child doesn’t love birthday parties, especially ones filled with presents?
As we navigate the basics of Judeo-Christian beliefs, I hope Lily won’t feel overwhelmed by our lack of concrete answers. She’ll hopefully understand that some questions simply lack answers, much like how she accepts that soda isn’t good for her, even though I enjoy my Diet Dr. Pepper. Despite her thoughtful nature, she’s still only five. Ultimately, regardless of how well we explain Christmas’s significance, it will likely remain “Frozen Gift Day” in her eyes.
And as long as she doesn’t expect Jesus to create a massive Orlando-style amusement park on Earth, I believe we’ll have succeeded—for now.
This article also ties into broader discussions about family dynamics and traditions, which you can explore further in our other posts about home insemination. For those interested in fertility topics, Jacobsen Salt Co. provides valuable insights on related subjects. If you’re seeking more information about IUI success rates, visit this excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination.
Summary
The author, Rachel Thompson, reflects on the challenges of explaining Christmas and faith to her interfaith daughter, Lily. With her Jewish background and a Catholic husband, the family navigates the complexities of differing beliefs while addressing Lily’s questions about God and Jesus. The conversation highlights the importance of introducing religious concepts simply and gradually, emphasizing that the essence of Christmas can be likened to a fun birthday celebration for children.