There seems to be only two schools of thought about discussingSanta Claus with our children. Either weperpetuate the myth that he is the giver of the gifts and the centerpiece of Christmastime, or we crush their innocentchildhood dreams by saying that he is made up. The problem is, once they find out that he really IS made up, they maybe unsure what else we have told them is made up. (Is Jesus a made up character too?) Plus if you are a Christ-follower, you have the added dilemma that Santa may subversively become the central character of Christmasrather than Jesus.
I believe that a third way is in order, and it seems to havebeen effective with my own children. This third way seeks to embrace the fun and “magic” of the spirit ofChristmas and Santa Clause, but does not take away from the centrality of Jesusor inadvertently lie to our kids. Thisthird way simply allows them to believe that Santa is a fun character aroundthe Christmas story. He is made up, of course, justlike the cartoons they watch are made up. But it is not that he doesn’t exist at all. He is a fun addition to the Christmastradition similar to the Christmas tree or eggnog (though I must admit myabsolute disdain for eggnog…oh, and setting up Christmas trees). Kids imaginations at early ages are allowedto run free with thoughts of Santa and reindeer the way they might fantasizeabout other fictional characters.
The difference is, at no point did we ever tell our kidsthat Santa is a real person, or that he is the originator of the gifts, or sendthem the wrong message that he is the centerpiece of Christmas. Because he isn’t. Jesus is. And this same precious baby Jesus that was born on Christmas day is thesame Lord of all who died on the cross and also rose again from the dead torescue his people from sin and death. Heis the Son of God, the Resurrection, the Way, the Truth, The Life, the Deliverer. He is the reason for the season.
In fact, he is the reason for…everything.
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