Tag: Christmas cartoon

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Christmas creativity holiday motivation

Ugly Christmas Sweaters

Cartoon of two men. One has a red and green sweater. He says, "No, this isn't my Ugly Christmas Sweater. It's just my sweater!"

I love seeing kids grow up! Whether they are four-year-olds or fourth-graders, they follow a predictable path. in early elementary, most feel free to express themselves in art. They are most comfortable in their own skin and don’t mind sharing their opinions. It doesn’t matter whether it is socially acceptable or not. A four-year-old is going to tell it like it is in their eyes!

But a fourth-grader becomes very self-conscious. They don’t want to call attention to themselves. They want to fit in. They want to do the “cool” thing. A four-year-old may love to wear an ugly Christmas sweater. A fourth-grade will be mortified if he or any member of his family would do such an audacious thing that solicits attention.

Cartoon of two men. One has a red and green sweater. He says, "No, this isn't my Ugly Christmas Sweater. It's just my sweater!"
Featured in the December 2019 Church of God Newsletter

A four-year-old is bursting with creativity. Most fourth-graders will have nothing to do with it because true creativity makes you stand out. Yet, standing out is where the magic happens.

I hope you have a lot of fun this Christmas. Be the one who proudly wears the ugly Christmas sweater. Reach out to a friend or family member you haven’t heard from in a while. Don’t worry about whether someone thinks your sweater us gaudy or you’re too loud when singing your favorite Christmas carol. Just enjoy the time. You’ll find that it will allow most people around you to do the same.

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motivation

Christmas Whining

Cartoon of two fish staring at a tree. One say, "Every Christmas, it's the same thing. When will they make a Christmas tree that won't float?"

If fish celebrated Christmas, they would need a Christmas tree that worked in their environment. They would need to adapt to the holiday traditions that could work underwater. Whining about traditions and customs that don’t work doesn’t help much.

Cartoon of two fish staring at a tree. One say, "Every Christmas, it's the same thing. When will they make a Christmas tree that won't float?" If a Christmas tree floats, find one that doesn’t!

Yet, how many times are people like the fish in this cartoon? We complain about things that we feel are out of our control instead of doing something about it.

  • We can change the situation
  • We can find the good side of a problem
  • We can find a solution that benefits everyone
  • We can let go of a tradition or custom in order to create a new, exciting one

Finding a problem is easy. Finding a solution and doing something about it is powerful.

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motivation

Joyrides Come With a Cost

I occasionally hear on the news of someone that takes a vehicle and goes off on a joyride. It never ends well. The perpetrator may have a thrill for a few minutes, but they will probably get caught. A few minutes of a ride in Santa’s sleigh without the big guy’s permission would probably end in severe gift consequences.

Cartoon of Santa chasing a sleigh full of mischievous elves

Consider your actions before you take a mental or physical joyride. a moment of a thrill can lead to severe consequences.

  • Is this moment of indiscretion something you would be proud of?
  • Would you be fine with your actions showing up on the evening news?
  • If a biography or movie was written about your life, would you want this scene added?
    • Sure, it may make for a comedy, but at who’s expense would the joke be on?

Santa really needs to lock the sleigh and install a naughty elf driving deterrent.

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Christmas holiday

The Creepy Side of Christmas

Cartoon of a girl and someone with a bag over their head. The girl says, "I know what you mean. 'Santa Claus is Coming to Town' gives me the creeps too."

Cartoon of a girl and someone with a bag over their head. The girl says, "I know what you mean. 'Santa Claus is Coming to Town' gives me the creeps too."

Some of our American Christmas traditions can be creepy. Elf on the Shelf comes immediately to mind. It was creepy enough for me when I thought Santa Claus was watching my every move as a child. I didn’t need a visual reminder in my house reporting back to the big guy. I was tempted to put a bag over my head and hope the whole espionage thing would blow over!

There is a strong German influence in southwest Ohio. Since coming here, I’ve heard about Krampus, a half-goat, a half-demon Bavarian character that would punish children during the Christmas season. And I thought Santa was a strict dude!

Ich habe Angst vor Krampus!

It is so antithetical to the original Christmas story. The son of God is born in a manger among barn animals. He already knew we messed up. He came to give hope, joy, and peace.

Today is the third Sunday of Advent. If you are walking by a mall Santa or an Elf on the Shelf today. Relax! There’s no need to put a bag over your head and hope the yuletide espionage passes over!

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cartoon children cartoons Christmas holiday

Naughty, Nice or Gross?

Cartoon of a boy and girl. The boy asks, "I can't be naughty during Christmas? What about gross? Can I be that?"
When people talk about doing something they know is wrong, they frequently describe it as feeling dirty and want to get clean. Boys, on the other hand, love to play in the mud. They jump at the chance to get messy and gross. If they can get Mom, a sister, or a friend that is a girl to be repulsed by their condition, so much the better!

This Christmas, maybe the best gift would be to let a boy get messy without getting on Santa’s naughty list. There has to be a place in the garage or in the basement you can spread out some paper and let the kids get a little creative and messy this holiday season. Just watch out for glitter. Once that is out of the container, that stuff shows up everywhere!