Christmas shopping can get complicated when your grandchildren are being raised in different faith traditions. Should you give them all a Catholic Bible, even if their parents aren’t Catholic?
On The Patrick Madrid Show, a grandmother named Diane called with this very question. She wanted to give her six grandchildren the Ignatius Study Bible for Christmas. Three are Catholic, while the other three are being raised Lutheran.
Diane wondered whether she had a moral obligation to share the fullness of the Catholic Faith with all six.
Patrick encouraged her desire to pass on the truth, but offered some practical advice.
For her Catholic grandchildren, he enthusiastically supported the gift. For those being raised Lutheran, he suggested speaking with their father first, especially since he was raised Catholic but now practices Lutheranism.
By simply asking whether he would be comfortable with the children receiving a Catholic Bible, Diane could avoid unnecessary family tension while still sharing her faith.
The conversation evolved as Patrick celebrated the joys of grandparenthood.
“There’s nothing like being a grandparent,” he exclaimed, explaining that grandparents get to spoil their grandchildren without handling all the responsibilities of parenting.
His secret weapons? Slim Jims and fruit snacks, always stocked in bulk for visiting grandchildren!
Grandparents have a special opportunity to share both the joy of family and the gift of faith. Sometimes, the most meaningful Christmas presents are the ones that help lead little hearts closer to Christ.
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