Downside of Multiculturalism

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Allegra

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The 5yo girl just declared that she does not have to go to bed tonight because it is Epiphany and that makes it a “special night”. Thanks to the wonderful folks at PBS, she believes that three kings and La Befana are going to bring her presents tonight. I had to inform her that she can have an extra Hershey Kiss before going to bed and that while kings might bring gifts to Puerto Rico and La Befana may visit Italy, in Missouri, Santa Claus done been and gone and all you get for Epiphany here is a paper crown in children’s Liturgy of the Word and maybe a piece of blessed chalk. (Which our priest apparently forgot this year.)
 
I’m not sure how that’s a downside of multiculturalism. It’s just a teaching moment.

As an aside, I certainly think gift giving on Epiphany is more “Catholic” (or at least more liturgically logical) than the prevalent North American tradition.
 
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I’m saying it a bit tongue in cheek. However, this season I HAVE already had to dash dreams of St. Nicholas Day and explain that we do not own a menorah and should not expect eight nights of presents in mid-December. It’d be nice if the kids could learn about a tradition that isn’t a gift grab for once! I actually did tell her the full story of La Befana, which PBS neglected entirely in favor of “she’s a good witch and brings children presents”.
 
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I guess I should be thankful. Think of all the parenting I’d have to do if I let them watch the Disney Channel!
 
My mom used to hide one present under the base of the tree. When we took the tree down, which in our family would happen on or the day after Jan 6, I’d find that present and that would be the “Epiphany present”.
 
I looked in one of the multinational/multicultural/ multireligious calendars and when I came to October I realised that if I was to celebrate everything written in it, I wouldn’t have to go to work at all in October. I wonder what my boss would think about that?🤣
 
I’m actually really into my kids learning about the traditions of other countries, but it would be nice if PBS would teach about some of the Epiphany traditions that don’t involve me running to Target in my PJs for a last minute gift. I mean, they made no mention of who the “kings” were, where they were going, or why. They didn’t discuss the story behind La Befana at all. There was no mention of Baby Jesus, stars, Herod, or even non-gift traditions like 12th night celebrations, processions, and king cakes. It was all about the loot.
 
How many years did it take you to just start checking under the tree right away?
 
Probably as many as it took for me to realize Thanksgiving is not a holy day of obligation LOL
 
Many parents in European countries face a double whammy as children now expect gifts on Christmas day as well as St Nicholas’ or Epiphany. Mainly due to the influence of a certain man in a red suit.
 
I know quite a few American Catholic families that do chocolate in shoes on St. Nicholas’ Day. We never have though.
 
Did you explain the part about how the three kings only bring gifts to the children who were good that year?
 
Well, I told her that unless she was Baby Jesus, she wasn’t getting squat, so that’s sort of the same thing, right?
 
If your 5 year old is anything like me at her age, than she would have answered back that kids in Puerto Rico weren’t Baby Jesus either and they still got presents.
 
I didn’t go there. We actually have some very close friends who are Puerto Rican and whose daughters she spends a lot of time with. She knows they get presents from the kings. She has also observed that they live in a minuscule, one-bedroom apartment, sleep on a mattress on the floor, wear mostly her old clothes, and are often at the mercy of what the food pantry has to offer. I don’t think she would begrudge them a few store-bought puzzles and some coloring books. At least, I hope not, after all the loot she got, half of which we haven’t even had time to open yet!
 
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