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There are so many fun things to do at Christmas,
like eat gingerbread houses. |
Christmas is such a wonderful time of year, isn't it? Baking cookies, driving around to look at Christmas
lights, visiting Santa. Whatever your favorite traditions are, there are
lots fun things to do to
get into the spirit of the season. One of the things that we always look forward to is getting out the box of Christmas
books. We have the classics, like Twas the Night Before Christmas and
The Grinch, and other fun stories like The Littlest Snowman
and Gingerbread Pirates, and they are all fun to read, especially since we only have them out
at this time of the year. One of my favorites to read to the girls, though, is
The Polar Express. It's such a great story about believing in the spirit of Christmas.
In the
story, the little boy takes a trip on
The Polar Express to the North Pole and is chosen to receive the first gift
of Christmas. He knew he could ask for anything he wanted, but instead of toys and games, he asked simply for a bell from
Santa's sleigh. Once back home, he and his sister could hear the bell, but his parents couldn't. He finishes the story by
telling us that over the years, the bell fell silent for most of his friends, and even his sister couldn't hear it one year. He,
however, continues to hear it, even as he grows old.
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Do you still believe in Christmas? |
I think the story is my favorite because our girls are starting to get older and we know that the question
'Is Santa Real?' will be coming soon. Actually, now that I think about it, Abby has asked, but since she's still young,
we've turned it around to her and asked if she thought Santa was real. We
know we'll have to answer it truthfully someday, but I think what we really
hope is that the existence (or non-existence) of one jolly old elf doesn't
change their belief in the spirit of Christmas. Christmas is a time for
giving, for being merry, for spending time with family and extending a hand
to those who are struggling through the season. It's a spirit we should
carry with us all year long and as we read (and re-read) The Polar Express, I hope
the girls are inspired to always hear
the bell and never let its sweet sound fade. To hold the Christmas spirit in
their hearts all year and help spread that joy to others.
From the Kerby's Nursery family to yours, we wish you the
Happiest of Christmases. May all of your days be Merry and Bright
and may you always hear the sweet sound of Santa's sleigh bell.
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