The reason for the season

Over the weekend, we visited the Gardens by the Bay with the in-laws and some relatives who were visiting. It was drizzling off and on, but the boys had a lovely time playing. 

Seeing all the glitz and festivities got me thinking about Christmas. The lights and decorations were lovely. But I felt that in the midst of the bustle and busyness, so much detracts from the true reason for the season.

As I pondered about the lights... it started to snow. Not the real stuff, of quiet swirling flakes and icy cold stillness. But of foam, blown into an excited crowd, who was eagerly standing in a soggy field in the midst of a light drizzle.

It wasn't the real thing. But the boys loved it. They leapt amidst the crowd, hands outstretched, oblivious to the jostling noisy crowd around them. It didn't seem to matter to them: the muddy shoes, their dirty wet feet, the pushing arms and feet around them. They ran about. They got pushed to the ground a few times. But all they had eyes for was the snow falling gently around them.

And then it struck me. While it can be a distracted December, because of all the activities, the lights, the commercialness... we can still learn to focus, and teach our children to see what Christmas is about. We can simplify our schedules, we can share with them the wonder of the Christmas story, not of snowmen, Santa and reindeer, but of God coming to earth to save us. We can learn to give during this period, to remind ourselves of the greatest gift, of Christ on earth impossibly contained in the form of a baby.  And children, being children, would be quick to pick up on the wonder, and look beyond the distractions.

And in this time of giving, I am so pleased to share that we are also trying to give back: Our sponsor, Fox Fashion, has kindly agreed to our proposal to gift some clothing to the children in Chen Su Lan Methodist Children's Home, and would also be sponsoring clothes to other organizations chosen by their partner bloggers. (However, they only have clothing for children up to 13 years of age, so I am currently trying to find another sponsor for the clothes for the older kids. Please do drop me an email if you do have contacts for suitable sponsors!)

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Fox Fashion is also generously giving away TWO $50 gift vouchers to readers of this blog. To enter, just complete ALL the following steps:
1. Like Fox Fashion on FB.
2. Like Mum in the Making on FB.
3. Like and leave a comment on this FB post, sharing about how you celebrate Christmas, as well as your email address.

This giveaway will end on the 30th of December at 2359 hrs, and we will announce the winner on our Facebook page on the first day of 2015!

Have a blessed day, and let us remember the reason for the season!

PS: All outfits pictured in this post were generously sponsored by Fox Fashion.