Catholic Activity: Letter to the Christ Child

Instead of a letter to "Santa Claus", here is an alternative practice: writing letters to the Christ Child.

DIRECTIONS

In many of our neo-pagan (and some Christian) families there is a custom of having the children send a letter to "Santa" asking for special gifts for Christmas. Among the German people there is a similar, but much more Christian custom. On the first Sunday of Advent the children write their Christmas letter to the Christ Child. The child tells Jesus his secret wishes and also tells Him what he is going to do for Jesus during the Advent period. Before going to bed, the child places the letter on the window sill for Jesus to take to Heaven. If the child has been good, the letter is taken away the first night. Sometimes the children have to wait for two or more days before the letter disappears. When this happens it is a sure sign that Jesus is not completely pleased with them and wants them to work harder to be good. If all goes well, Jesus and His angels put all requested good things under and on the tree on Christmas morning.

Activity Source: How to Make Your House a Home by Rev. Bernard Stokes, O.F.M., Family Life Bureau, Washington D.C., 1955