Telling family, especially kids about Pagan traditions

[RachelV2.0]

Hi all,

As a relatively new Witness, I'm curious about your experiences with telling your family members, especially young children, that you are not able or wanting to ccelebrate Christmas, Birthdays or Easter?

My parents are fortunately quite accepting of it, which I was quite worried about, seems for nothing. I do have two nieces and a nephew under 11-years. I am not sure how much they've been told. i wasn't there for two of my niece's birthdays this year and I'm feeling worried in case they don't understand or think I no longer love and care for them.

I already had bought presents when i was away a couple of months ago but I honestly sadly don't see them much because, well, I guess my sister and I aren't that close. But I'm trying to arrange going over to my parents place when they are all there.

 

It is such a shame that these Pagan Traditions to exist and rule in Society.

So yeh, what are your experiences in having told and are still needing to tell family of this?

 

Thanks so much in advance,

 

Rachel

[Beggar for the Spirit]

 Hi Rachel, 

I am in a similar situation to you, my family and relatives are not Witnesses. 

1 of the best things I feel we can do to help our relatives with the issue of celebrating of holidays is not as much about what we say, but what we do when there are no holidays. If we show our care and love for our family and relatives by giving gifts through out the year, then when the holidays arrive and we are not present, they are less likely to be upset with us knowing that we care about them because we already showed them we care when they least expected it. To them there was no holiday or reason for us to give them gifts when we did,  so I think this leaves a big impression.  

 

So for your nephew and nieces, if you shower them with gifts and fun things through out the year, they will never doubt your love for them 💕 

By the way, it is nice that you joined our forum here, welcome! 😊 

Edited August 22, 2022 by Beggar for the Spirit

[RachelV2.0]

Hi Beggar,

Thank you so much for your reply. 

Yes I agree and will try and make more of an effort to go to my sisters place even though we often end up arguing.

I like to see them at my parents place where it's more nutual. Perhaps I can consider calling in there on Saturday after our meeting.

 

[Amygdala]

Welcome to the family. 🥰 I understand what you are going through as well, as I have no family in the truth. (Besides my husband and daughter and his family). We just spent a month visiting my hometown in Canada and stayed with my different siblings, all of whom have young children. I made it a point to take them outside to the playground, park, going for a walk, driving them to basketball or swim lessons, playing with them at their home, or to a kids centre, freeing up my siblings who had to work or other responsibilities. I also brought them gifts, and also bought my eldest niece a local artist’s necklace.

 

Children are very honest, so if they wonder why you weren’t at their birthdays you can give them an easy answer like: „“well I follow what Jesus and his christian followers did in bible times and they never celebrated their birthdays. But it doesn’t mean I don’t care or love you or spend time with you.“ Simple as that. It usually is enough and they don’t think much about it as they are just happy to be around their loving, maybe favourite aunt. As they grow older they might even open up to you more than their parents. But as brother Neil said treating them with love is the best. Also the best witness. 🤗

Edited August 23, 2022 by Woanders

[RachelV2.0]

Thank you so much for the welcome, your experience and the advice. Yes, I think I will phraze it that way if I'm ever asked - wanting to follow Jesus and his disciples; It's a non judgemental way of doing it.

THanks.

[Ludwika]

I find my grandchildren love having a little money to spend! So every so often I'll dish out some when they weren't expecting it. 

[carlos]

I was born in a Christian family, and my parents always made sure to organize several parties during the year and invite our friends. They also gave us gifts from time to time, when we less expected them. So when people in the world had their Christmas or birthday gifts, we never felt we were missing out. They had gifts once a year, we had them many times a year!

[coony77]

On 8/22/2022 at 11:19 AM, RachelV2.0 said:

Hi all,

As a relatively new Witness, I'm curious about your experiences with telling your family members, especially young children, that you are not able or wanting to ccelebrate Christmas, Birthdays or Easter?

My parents are fortunately quite accepting of it, which I was quite worried about, seems for nothing. I do have two nieces and a nephew under 11-years. I am not sure how much they've been told. i wasn't there for two of my niece's birthdays this year and I'm feeling worried in case they don't understand or think I no longer love and care for them.

I already had bought presents when i was away a couple of months ago but I honestly sadly don't see them much because, well, I guess my sister and I aren't that close. But I'm trying to arrange going over to my parents place when they are all there.

 

It is such a shame that these Pagan Traditions to exist and rule in Society.

So yeh, what are your experiences in having told and are still needing to tell family of this?

 

Thanks so much in advance,

 

Rachel

I'm happy to tell you my experience with my stepchildren. (I was married for a long time to a non-witness who had 2 children from his first marriage). They were 3 and 7 years old at the time when I had to explain to them why they would not receive birthday and Christmas presents from me. I used very simple words and told them that I love the Bible and would like to do everything the way it says. And since the Bible shows me that God and Jesus do not like these celebrations, I decided to have nothing to do with them. At the same time, I explained to them that instead I would regularly surprise them with gifts when they least expect it, not because a certain date "obliges" me to do so, but because I love them and want to make them happy - without an occasion. I also did as many things as possible with them that they enjoyed and gave them money every year for the good school report. They both appreciated that and were always happy. (They were so young and yet more understanding than my mother-in-law who tried to invite me to her birthday again and again every year...)

[Esined]

Echoing what others have already said -- being present, showing love and generosity year round, explaining things in a super simple and positive way--and it hasn't been an issue. In my case, my brother and ex-sisters-in-law (I'm still pretty close w them) were raised in the truth but never got baptized. So they kind of get it. I just say that I don't do birthdays or Christmas, but that I love celebrations. And then if they ask I explain briefly as others have, about following the Bible closely.

 

It might be a little tougher if they were used to you being at celebrations in the past and now you're not. But once they see that you are not only still a fun and awesome auntie who is present in their lives, but also new and improved in other ways  it will end up being a good witness.