Does Your Family Bake Jesus a Birthday Cake?

[jrstephens]

Now that Luke is 3, we are going to start doing this to keep the focus on making sure he always knows the REAL reason for Christmas. I thought what better way than to do a cake just like we would for other people's birthday.

 

[Jennie4PC]

we do not bake a cake but on Christmas Eve we watch the Christmas story put out by our church and then we talk about the birth of Christ.

 

[vwpamperedchef]

my grandmother makes plum pudding and lights it on fire and we sing happy birthday to Jesus. Its been a tradition since as long as I can remember.

 

[ahammons]

My aunt makes one for our family gathering. It's so sweet to watch the kids sing Happy Birthday to Jesus.

 

[bsaxman]

we will probably start doing this after we have kids, but my family did not do this when i was growing up at all... great idea tho

 

[Deannasbiz]

I have thought about it many times, but it just seems like we never do it. We do talk the entire season about Jesus' birth, and now that my girls and 2 and 5 I think this would be a great year to start.

 

[KellyTheChef]

I haven't done that in the past...but I sure do think it's a great idea! Maybe this year needs to be the beginning of a new tradition...

 

[Chef Kearns]

Yes, we do make a Jesus b-day cake. It is soooo yummy. I called it our Christmas cake because it is the only time of year we'll make this cake. I could eat the whole thing myself. Everything is from scratch, too.

I find that the hardest part is explaining to people how we can have Christmas and not do Santa for our kids. They act like we're depriving them of some rite of childhood. I'm sorry, ya'll but I don't like the practice of blatantly lying to my kiddos about some dude in a red suit that has NOTHING to do with Christmas. We do talk about the man the legend stemmed from, but that's it. That's just the Kearns' family I'm finding out. But that's how we roll.

 

[Jennie4PC]

My friend doesnt do santa either. in her house she has nothing to do with it no wrapping paper, no pics or stautues of him either. Santa that is

 

[chefsteph07]

Yes, we do make a Jesus b-day cake. It is soooo yummy. I called it our Christmas cake because it is the only time of year we'll make this cake. I could eat the whole thing myself. Everything is from scratch, too.

I find that the hardest part is explaining to people how we can have Christmas and not do Santa for our kids. They act like we're depriving them of some rite of childhood. I'm sorry, ya'll but I don't like the practice of blatantly lying to my kiddos about some dude in a red suit that has NOTHING to do with Christmas. We do talk about the man the legend stemmed from, but that's it. That's just the Kearns' family I'm finding out. But that's how we roll.

For those of you who do not do Santa, do you tell your kids not to tell the other kids who do believe in Santa? I totally respect that others don't do Santa, but I do and I would be peeved if another child who knows the truth about it told me daughter. So, how do you handle that? Just wondering, not trying to open a can of worms! LOL

 

[ChefJoyJ]

I voted no, but once Emily is a little bit older, we will be adding that to our Christmas Eve/Christmas day festivities!

ETA - she's only 10 months now, so it might be lost on her...

 

[whiteyteresa]

I make cupcakes for my annual family/friends holiday get together

I put the letters on top of the cupcakes in icing to spell out Happy Birthday Jesus

then on Christmas - I make a thin sheet cake and write Happy Birthday Jesus with sprinkles

I want Lucy to remember what this day is all about, if we don't celebrate Jesus birthday with a cake then we don't celebrate any birthday's with a cake. (Lucy's birthday is exactly 2 weeks after Christmas)

She understands real well, she even buy a present and gives it to our pastor on Christmas eve.

~

 

[Stampaholic1961]

For those of you who do not do Santa, do you tell your kids not to tell the other kids who do believe in Santa? I totally respect that others don't do Santa, but I do and I would be peeved if another child who knows the truth about it told me daughter. So, how do you handle that? Just wondering, not trying to open a can of worms! LOL

We told our kids that it wasn't their place to tell somebody if there was or wasn't a Santa. Each person's parents had to decide when or if to tell their own child about Santa. That worked for us.

 

[itsjustCarla]

our church throws a birthday party for Jesus...the Oriental Trading Co. has TONS of tableware, gifts, etc. that say "Happy Birthday Jesus" --we give them away. The kids love it and the Elders do too, but they won't admit it. We have birthday cake after church service. (We do it a week before Christmas day)

 

[missyciccolella]

We sing Happy Birthday, but no cake...I usually don't have cake on my birthday as I opt for other treats.

 

[JAE]

No cake because it's just one more sweet thing that we don't need. We do Adornaments (ornaments related to the Christmas story), the nativity, read Luke 2, etc.

 

[Chef Kearns]

For those of you who do not do Santa, do you tell your kids not to tell the other kids who do believe in Santa? I totally respect that others don't do Santa, but I do and I would be peeved if another child who knows the truth about it told me daughter. So, how do you handle that? Just wondering, not trying to open a can of worms! LOL

I don't really push it too much. They just know he's not real. If we were to constantly discuss it then I think they would feel inclined to enlighten their friends. When my oldest was in 3rd grade he told his class and one of his friends cried and said he was lying. I told my son, if he wants to believe it, don't force the issue. But that he didn't need to share that info again, that it was up to the kid's parents to tell them the truth.

 

[JAE]

For those of you who do not do Santa, do you tell your kids not to tell the other kids who do believe in Santa? I totally respect that others don't do Santa, but I do and I would be peeved if another child who knows the truth about it told me daughter. So, how do you handle that? Just wondering, not trying to open a can of worms! LOL

I told my kids that once other kids stop believing in Santa, their parents buy their presents. Santa only brings presents to kids who believe in him.

 

[mommyhugz1978]

We don't make a cake but my dad reads all the grandchildren the Christmas story on Christmas Eve. My DD knows that its the Savior's birthday so she always says to people that the main reason we have presents is becasue Jesus wanted to share with everyone. She is six....... My daughter still believes in Santa and so do I, or I should say the magic of Santa......

 

[amy07]

We ALWAYS have a birthday cake for Jesus. No matter how much we have to do, we always take the time out to do that.

 

[ginamkiely]

i have to be honest... when i first read the title of this thread i was thinking "is this a joke" but then when i read the posts i thought, what a great idea!! we're not super-religious in our family anymore (we've had some issues with the catholic church) but this is a great idea to get back to the real reason of christmas. christmas has become so commercialized i forgot it's even jesus' birthday! thanks everyone for giving us a new family tradition!

 

[ChefBeckyD]

i have to be honest... when i first read the title of this thread i was thinking "is this a joke" but then when i read the posts i thought, what a great idea!! we're not super-religious in our family anymore (we've had some issues with the catholic church) but this is a great idea to get back to the real reason of christmas. christmas has become so commercialized i forgot it's even jesus' birthday! thanks everyone for giving us a new family tradition!

I'm glad for this thread too. I have a 3 yr old who is so wrapped up in the commercialism of Christmas this year - and it is so easy to keep buying for him...DH and I finally said ENOUGH! and have been trying to think of ways to show him (besides reading and talking) the real meaning of Christmas. We have been talking about the reason we give gifts is because of God's gift to us, and because of the Gift of Life that Jesus gives us. I think he would love the idea of a Birthday Cake for Jesus - maybe we can blow out a candle on it and sing before we open presents - just like we do before we open presents on our birthdays.

 

[lacychef]

We haven't before, but I think it's a good idea!

 

[jrstephens]

I am so glad you that do not do this think it is a good idea and may start this year.

This will be our first year doing it. We have planned it from when Luke was born but we know with him being 3 this year he will understand more. He will tell u in a heart beat we celebrate Christmas b/c it is Jesus birthday!

 

[DebbieSAChef]

No cakePersonally for my family we try to keep the emphasis on the death, burial and ressurection of Christ. I know Christmas is a time when Christians celebrate the birth of Christmas, and don't get me wrong, I am one of the most happy people in the world when I think of the fact that the Creator of the Universe took on flesh for my sake to die in my place.

But I also tell my kids that too much emphasis is put on Jesus as a baby in a manger during Christmas because as a baby he is safe and not threatening to many people.

Our kids know that Jesus is not only a man but ALIVE and at the right hand of the Father in heaven, waiting one day to come back to judge the quick and the dead and the sins of man.

My children have never believed in Santa, even before I was saved. They have on some occasions told other kids who did believe in Santa that he wasn't real. When confronted by parents from my old church we told them "How are my kids suppose to answer when their kids ask my kids what they asked Santa for Christmas? Or "Have you been good because Santa is watching us?"
My kids know that we don't compromise on the truth and we certainly won't lie to make others feel good. The parents agreed and were embarrassed when my kids said "Jesus gave my daddy his job so we could get presents, not santa. And santa doesn't know if I am good but Jesus does." So it was ok after that and the Sunday school teacher was proud of my kiddos. That was 3 years ago but I am still proud of my kiddos for knowing Christmas is not about toys, and presents but about a time to focus on Christ and witness to our lost family!

Debbie

 

[sailortena]

I like some of your thinking, Debbie. I've read several books that say Jesus was actually born during the summer months, because that's when the census was taken during historical times. (And that's why his parents had to travel all the way to Bethlehem.) I've also read that the early Church made Christmas into a Christian holiday, to counter the pagan rituals of Yule and such in Europe. There was also a big crackdown on this in England during 1600s when Europeans pretty much had loose morals during this time of the year.More interesting facts, here:
Christmas stories and facts

 

[DebbieSAChef]

Amen

I like some of your thinking, Debbie.

I've read several books that say Jesus was actually born during the summer months, because that's when the census was taken during historical times. (And that's why his parents had to travel all the way to Bethlehem.) I've also read that the early Church made Christmas into a Christian holiday, to counter the pagan rituals of Yule and such in Europe. There was also a big crackdown on this in England during 1600s when Europeans pretty much had loose morals during this time of the year.

More interesting facts, here:
Christmas stories and facts

I agree, we are never commanded in scripture to remember or celebrate his birth, only his death and ressurection through communion. But it is a great open door to reach the lost. We try to take advantage of it.

We also would really like to get creative with a REAL manger scene for next year. The idea hit us when it was too late. You know when the wise men came to see Jesus he was already a child (not a baby) and Joseph is not there. The bible tells us Mary is with Jesus. Also they were not in a smelly stable with animals all around him. True he was born in the stable and put in a trough, but when the wise man came they were in the house. And it's not THREE wise men, the bible doesn't specify! lol

Urban Legends Reference Pages: Three Wise Men

Well I better get busy I have some bouquets to make for a wedding tomorrow, some corsages and some boutenniers. Whew!!! :yuck:

Debbie