There’s something enchanting about seeing the world through the eyes of a child, especially during Christmas. This year, my four-year-old son has fully embraced the magic of the season, and as a mother, it’s a joy I can hardly put into words.
Every morning, he wakes up with excitement, his little feet racing down the hallway to find out what the elf has done. Each small treat feels like a treasure to him, and his wonder reminds me that even the simplest moments can hold so much magic. This year, he’s all in on Santa— talking about how he’s going to leave out cookies and milk, and making sure we remember to sprinkle “reindeer food” in the yard.
Watching him believe so wholeheartedly is a gift. His eyes light up when we talk about Santa’s sleigh flying through the night sky, and he often stares out the window, as if he might catch a glimpse of Rudolph’s glowing red nose. He’s brimming with questions: “Does he really know what I want?” “Do you think he’ll like the cookies I leave out for him?”
His belief has rekindled mine. Not in Santa per say, but in the beauty of hope, wonder, and the joy of giving. The way he hugs me tightly after we read “The Night Before Christmas” or the excitement in his voice as we decorate the tree reminds me of the magic we too often lose as adults.
What I love most, though, is how his joy spreads to everyone around him. His laughter while dancing to Christmas music, his delight at seeing the twinkling lights in our neighborhood, and the way he proudly tells anyone who will listen that Santa is coming soon—it’s infectious. He’s teaching me to slow down and savor these fleeting moments, to see Christmas as more than just a checklist of to-dos.
This season, I find myself more grateful than ever for the gift of motherhood. Watching my son experience the magic of Christmas makes every late night wrapping presents, every sticky cookie-baking mess, and every moment spent making this time of year special worth it. It’s in his joy that I find my own.
Years from now, when he’s older and the magic of Santa fades, I’ll still hold onto these memories. I’ll remember the way his face lit up when he talked about Santa’s workshop, and the way his tiny hand fit perfectly in mine as we walked through a winter wonderland of lights.
For now, though, I’ll soak in every moment of this Christmas season, letting his belief fuel my own. Because through his eyes, Christmas is truly magical—and through my heart as his mom, it always will be.