Unschooling at Christmas

Monday we woke to a winter wonderland. Wind was spinning the snowflakes as they tumbled down to coat the ground with the pure white blanket which the girls had been anxiously hoping for. In this unusually warm December this snow will not stay long. The moment the sky was light they girls were pulling on their snow gear to race outside and enjoy the snow before it melts away. As I helped to zip up coats and pull on mittens I felt the weight of gratitude settle on me that we could seize this brief moment. December has become overwhelming for so many, the heaping of Christmas traditions and gift-giving becoming stifling instead of life-giving.  So here again I am thankful for the time gifted to us by our choice to live this unschooling life. The freedom for each of my children to meet Jesus as they interact with this Christmas season in the way that they best learn and love. 

Three years ago my oldest daughter had just finished reading the Kirsten American Girl series and so one December afternoon while friends were over she was telling my friend about Kirsten’s celebration of Saint Lucia day. We looked up a little more information about the history and traditions surrounding the day, and since it turned out it was Saint Lucia Day, we ended up doing our own little celebration. With all seven kids we found ourselves making Lukkiester rolls, and my oldest put on a white dress and tied my red scarf around her waist. Then we all lay down on the living room floor pretending to sleep, and let her come in to invite us to a Saint Lucia day ‘breakfast’. We had such a great time that we now do this every year with those friends, last week being our third time gathering to make the rolls, read the story of Saint Lucia, and enjoy this treat together. I love how my daughter's interest in a holiday celebrated in a book she enjoyed has become a tradition that the girls and I love. 

There is something cozy about the colder weather contrasted with the warmth of Christmas lights and brightly colored ornaments. At Christmastime we bring out a special collection of Christmas stories and puzzles. The Christmas playlist is turned on in the background. I love the cozy mornings as we return to these favorite stories on the couch or gather around a table to piece together a puzzle. In the evening our family gathers in the evening by candlelight to read our advent reading and the girls dance to a worship song. Amongst these fun Christmas-specific activities, the colder weather also means more time indoors which tends to lead to more time cuddled up and reading and the girls turn to more indoor activities. This can be a craft or board game and even some of the workbooks we have available for them to work on as they choose. 

Gift-giving is a great chance to help develop the muscles of thoughtfulness and generosity. As I am trying to make gifts for a few friends and family members this year, I let the girls watch and participate. When I make extra bread we wrap it up and the girls deliver it with excitement. As I embroider felt bookmarks I ask their thoughts on patterns based on what they think the recipient might like. We read about famous people in church history like Saint Nicholas and talk about why people give gifts, and remember the gift God gave us in Jesus, which is better than any other gift we could give. The girls so love to give gifts, and each wants to be able to give something to the others. As each child shared with me their ideas and hopes of what they could give, we were able to brainstorm based on what the recipient likes, as well as what they, as a gift-giver, were able to give. While two of my girls enjoy crafting and creating, the other doesn’t have the patience for it. So two of the girls pieced together fabric and sewed up a gift, while my middle thoughtfully shopped for a gift. 

In the middle of what can be a busy season, let’s pause and see all the beautiful moments taking place in those humble minutes in both the day to day rhythms and Christmas traditions. Let’s thank Jesus for His humble coming as a baby as we seek to pass on a love for Him to our children in this and all seasons.