This is the first Sabbat that I'll be involving my son in a bit.  He's 9 and has previously asked questions about death, God and that sort of thing.  I've handled it like my father handled it with me.

This is what I think.

These are the ideas of some other folks.

If you want to know more, we can learn more together.

"I like the God and Goddess, Mom.  They sound more real.  Like parents."

That was a few summers ago.  Since then, he hasn't asked any more questions.  Perhaps he's formed a currently-satisfying relationship with his version of the God and Goddess.  Perhaps it was some nagging worry he's had sated by MY quiet faith.  Who knows?

But this year, I asked him if he'd like to celebrate Yule.  I had never suggested anyone in my family celebrate Sabbats for which they had no belief or connection.  But this year I realized that I have never been Christian, never attended church yet celebrated a form of Christmas every year of my life that centered around family, gift-giving, food and fun.

Also, my immediate family, while not in on my personal rituals, have not escaped the Sabbats.  There have been decorations, foods, projects and other things related to each Sabbat (especially last year) that they have been quietly surrounded by.  They ate the meals I'd cooked with intent. 

The question still lingers.  Should I be (even softly) blanketing my family in my own beliefs?  Is it even ethical to offer them Sabbat-Lite?  Is it even possible NOT to have them affected or inclined by all of this?  I, for one, personally understand the power of coming to this path of your own discovery.  I would never hand-feed my family a faith.

It is like the difference between being told the stove is hot...and putting your hand on it.

I looked to my own experience for an answer.  Celebrating Christmas and Easter didn't MAKE me Christian.  Celebrating Halloween didn't make me Pagan.  Celebrating Thanksgiving didn't make me a pilgrim.  Celebrating St. Patrick's Day didn't make me Irish.  Did my version of those holidays have meanings not in alignment with their intended meanings?  YES.  Did I hurt myself or anyone else in the process?  Of course not.

Celebrating Yule as the day the light begins to return to the earth with the lighting of a candle and the opening of a gift isn't going to make anyone Pagan.  There's a good chance it could make someone feel good, though.   

So, I'm going with it this year.  I'm going to quietly let them wander in if they are curious because, quite frankly, it seems silly to deny my family any opportunity to be together, be happy, feel good, and associate certain times with certain good feelings because they might....what?.....be Called?  Follow the same Path?  Have fond memories of their childhood that included three times as many holidays as most everyone else's? 

As in all things, we can only make a personal decision and then take responsibility for it.  This is mine.