Christmas spirit

I've got it! For the first time in three years, I am excited about Christmas. little j and I started decorating today and just the few things that we put out makes the house so festive. Obviously with a four-year old in the house I have been thinking a lot about Christmas.

Here's the dilemma: I don't believe in god. So when I think of Christmas, I think about a peaceful time, family, a time to help others, a time to share our good fortune with those who have less. At this point we haven't started to talk to little j about religion, although we think it is an important conversation to have when she is ready.

Christmas, then, is an odd time. I keep thinking that one day we'll be listening to Christmas music and little j will say, "Hey, who is this Jesus guy?" or "What's up with the whole manger thing?" It's not that I am worried about the conversation, but rather I want to be able to talk to her about it in a non-judgemental, open way. And in a way that a pre-schooler can understand.