As the holiday season approaches, I find myself reflecting on the figure of Jesus, which may seem unusual given my Jewish background. However, with my partner being Catholic, Jesus has increasingly entered our family discussions, particularly now that our 5-year-old daughter, Sophie, is beginning to ask deeper questions about faith, God, and her own beliefs. With Christmas nearing, it’s only natural that inquiries about Jesus arise.
It’s clear that Sophie is a bit perplexed about these concepts. I realized just how much when we had a conversation that went something like this:
Sophie: You know, that guy who saved the world? Um…God?
Mommy: Yes?
Sophie: Well, why did Santa—I mean God—put Disneyland in California? And why can’t Santa—I mean God—make the whole world Disneyland?
Where do I even begin? It’s evident that we’ve overlooked her religious education. Admittedly, we’ve been avoiding the topic. Neither of us actively practices our faith, and we’ve been comfortable postponing this conversation for another day. Some aspects have been easier to clarify. For instance, we introduced her to the story of Moses by watching Disney’s The Prince of Egypt, complete with popcorn. She seemed to grasp the basics—though the issues of slavery and the other darker themes were perhaps a bit much for her young mind.
However, explaining Jesus poses a different challenge. This will be the first time we have to convey that Mommy and Daddy hold differing beliefs with little common ground. To further complicate matters, we’ll need to tell her that neither belief system is inherently wrong. I had initially planned to present both religions and let her form her own opinions. But expecting a 5-year-old to navigate such profound questions about faith and the concept of the Messiah seems unrealistic.
Given that Sophie is currently in a “Mommy phase,” she will likely align with my perspective, potentially viewing the Old Testament as more favorable than the New Testament. Of course, as she matures into her teenage years, she might rebel against my views by exploring other beliefs or even expressing a dislike for traditional Jewish foods. For now, we need to introduce the ideas of God and Christianity gradually and in simple terms. After all, Christmas can be viewed, in a sense, as a birthday celebration. What child doesn’t enjoy a birthday party, especially one filled with gifts?
As we navigate through these essential aspects of Judeo-Christian beliefs, I hope Sophie won’t feel overwhelmed by our somewhat ambiguous answers. She may come to understand that some questions don’t have clear answers, just as she accepts that certain foods, like soda, aren’t good for her despite my own indulgences. No matter how we choose to explain the significance of Christmas, it will likely remain, in her eyes, an “Anna and Elsa Gift Day.”
Ultimately, as long as she doesn’t expect Jesus to turn the world into a massive Disneyland, I think we’re on the right track—for now.
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Summary
This article discusses the challenges of explaining Christmas and the figure of Jesus to a half-Jewish child, particularly in an interfaith family. It highlights the unique complexities of navigating differing beliefs while ensuring that the child feels included and informed. It also provides resources for those considering family planning and home insemination.
Keyphrase: Explaining Christmas to Interfaith Child
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