"The story of the 'birthday' of Jesus is one that even tiny tots can understand, therefore it is a valuable way of teaching the tenets of Christianity to our children," explains Mark Tronson. "Moreover, children are fascinated with babies smaller than themselves and so we can use 'baby Jesus' as an introduction to explain some of His life and work to them."
The nativity scene is one of the most visible and recognisable items in today's society. Jesus the baby in swaddling clothes with Joseph and Mary in a manger with various animals along with variations such as wise men, shepherds, chickens, hay bales and other farmyard paraphernalia are highlighted in shop windows, community centres, private homes and churches across the nation.
Gifts are also central to Christmas; those gifts to our children represent the most remarkable gift to mankind that God delighted in giving to his creation, that of His Son Jesus Christ coming as a babe that even today we continue to worship.
Christmas is sharing
Mark Tronson further thinks that the whole tradition of gift-giving is a practical way to show children the Christian principles of sharing what little you may have, with those less fortunate. Children are expected to give gifts to the family, as well as receive them from others.
All this is woven into our traditions, and it means that Christmas and families are indispensable to the joy of the season. Every parent experiences the delight of their loved ones opening the gifts that they have so carefully and lovingly chosen for each child, grandchild or member of the extended family (and sometimes friends).
Mark and Delma Tronson now realise how traditions pass through the generations, as they are fortunate to know how much delight grandchildren bring to the hearts of grandparents all the time. However, for Christian families this is particularly manifest at Christmas when gifts are opened, meals are enjoyed, the wider family makes their own fun with endless chatter and the occasional board game or outdoor game (cricket is traditional in Australia, given it is summer and usually warm).
Come Christmas morning homes are abuzz with squeals of delights as the children and/or grandchildren open their gifts, hoping that 'Santa Claus' has brought what they asked for, on their lists.
Christmas has many wonderful memories for families and as the years roll on, the children grow up, they in turn marry and have children of their own, and then each Christmas becomes more and more special.
Heard first hand
So it was with great interest that Mark Tronson recently heard first-hand about his four adult children's memories of family life and Christmas celebrations when his son, Wesley, spoke on their behalf at his recent 60th birthday celebration.
Wesley noted that the Mark Tronson you see today, relaxed and having coffee and cake with his close mates and many other acquaintances who visit in his ministry, is a different image to the Mark Tronson the children grew up with. Mark (as most young fathers) was dedicated and driven – working extremely hard and rarely seen by Delma and the children. Wesley remembers, however, that Mark was still ready to have fun at the times, like at Christmas, when he did take time to be with the family he adored.
But more than this, that as they grew up, their father supported them in many ways whatever they choose to do: with bold confidence in helping them with their own decisions, with being emotionally supportive, with providing funding, with joining personal celebrations; and when they were away, he would visit, write, email and call on the phone. In their decisions to go overseas, attend university, or leave home, the nature of Mark's support is printed indelibly upon the children's hearts.
It is this that each of the four children have come away with in their own lives in relation to the choices they have made for themselves in sport, studies, partners (the eldest two are married) and subsequent careers. They grew up with someone who showed by example that to achieve significant things, one doesn't sit idle.
And most importantly, their father enjoyed having fun, whether that was sports out the back, down the park, family holidays, chatting and laughing around the kitchen table, playing tricks, and he enjoyed watching the children grow up and develop on their own personalities, good graces and following the wisdom of their parents in the choices they made.
Christmas time brings all this into context for Mark Tronson. He is pleased that his children remember that families are great fun. He is extra pleased to find that the speeches the children make as adults can also be filled with both wisdom and fun.
The Tronson family wishes all its supporters much joy during this Christmas and New Year season.
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html