He stresses that parents have the responsibility to make a decision regarding their children's religious identity. Symbols or objects representing holidays do not necessarily give a child a feeling of roots in tradition or their religious community. If our role as parents is to teach our children the virtue of non-conformity, they need to understand early on in their development that it's OK to be who they are and to not be influenced by the society that commercializes celebration. If our young children learn to be individuals and make strong decisions, perhaps it will be easier to turn away from other peer pressures that will face them as teenagers. The final decision can be postponed until after the holidays.
Parents can then return to the discussion without pressure.
How they chose to direct their religious and spiritual energy in the future can be a rewarding conclusion to the holiday season. Another perspective comes to us from Reverend Van Hooke of the Culver-Palms United Methodist Church. Choosing the holiday that brings the most spiritual support from family and friends may reduce the stress at holiday time. Reverend Hooke agrees that trying to observe both religions in one family can result in the observance of none. So as you all enjoy your wonderful holiday supper, hopefully this article will offer you food for the soul as well.