At nursery, Ben has been learning Christmas songs, Twinkle Twinkle Christmas Star and Away in a Manger. Which has opened up a whole world of questions. Mainly who is Jesus, and why does he live in our hearts?
Tricky. I have tried to be diplomatic about this. I have no belief in anything religious (well, except for Father Christmas and the Tooth Fairy. Oh, and the Easter Bunny) but don’t want this to unduly affect any belief that Ben may have or develop. So I said that Jesus was a man who lived a long time ago, he was very kind to be people, and did lots of nice things. He was born on Christmas Day, and lots of people brought him presents, which is why we give each other presents on his birthday to remember him and the nice things he did.
Ben then wanted to know how he lived in our hearts. Obviously he is a slight pedant like his father, so I explained he wasn’t really, actually, in our hearts, but that when somebody is dead, you can remember them, and all the things they did, and you say they have a special place in your hearts. That seemed to do it. Then came perhaps one of the stranger conversations I have ever had with anyone.
Ben: Why was Jesus born in a stable?
Me: Well, because his mummy and daddy had to go to a big city, and when they got there, none of the hotels had any rooms left, so they stayed in a stable with animals. They had lots of straw so it was nice and warm.
Ben: How did they get to the shops?
Me: They walked or went on their donkeys.
Ben: Jesus didn’t have a car?
Me: No Jesus didn’t have a car.
Ben: So how would he get to Legoland?
Me: Sadly, I don’t think Jesus ever went to Legoland.
At this point I have been given some very funny looks by parents coming towards me and who have only heard the last sentence. Not one I ever thought I would be saying.
I love your blog, Louise and Andrew, because it confirms to me that I really should never have kids! I’d be too tempted to say that Jesus flies to Legoland on his flying carpet….