Santa Claus is a topic that often comes up in December for Christian families.
Should he be part of the holiday tradition?
Why, or why not?
My husband and I chose not to include Santa Claus in our traditions while we raised our children.
“What do you mean no Santa Claus?“
My mother was aghast. “You’re going to take all the magic out of the holidays for my grandchildren?
I tried to explain.
I don’t want to lie to my children. Why tell them about a mythical character when they’re little and impressionable and then later have to tell them we lied?
Wouldn’t that undercut our teachings about God and Jesus if they couldn’t our trust our word?”
Mom still didn’t like it
But, she respected our decisions as parents and, sadly, went along. The Christmas gifts didn’t come from Santa (though they might have been wrapped in Santa paper), they came from Grammy and Grandpa.
St. Nicholas instead of Santa Claus
That doesn’t mean we ignored the concept. We attended an Anglican church when our oldest children were pre-schoolers.
Since they celebrated the Feast of St. Nicholas on December 6 as part of the church calendar, it was easy to honor a man of God who exemplified the same generous characteristics of Santa Claus.
Our priest even entered the Sunday service dressed in a similar style to St. Nicholas and carried a shepherd’s crook.
The boys enjoyed it all–including the story of how St. Nicholas left gifts for children.
What about other kids?
Early on, we had to teach the boys that while we knew Santa Claus wasn’t real, a lot of other children didn’t. “It’s fun for them to pretend,” I explained.
But I didn’t leave it there.
We need to pretend with them to make them happy. Can you do that? You must never tell other children Santa isn’t real. Their parents need to tell them.”
Was that honest?
Sort of. It was the best I could do. As far as I know, the children never revealed the truth–until their friends already knew.
When we encountered Santa Claus in the mall, the kids smiled at me and we went on. They seemed to like having a secret. Maybe I should ask them . . . ?
They played along, singing Christmas songs about reindeer and elves, the jolly man, and not taking any of it seriously. We all enjoyed the movie The Santa Clause.
Christmas Stockings
I love the Christmas stocking tradition–the idea small gifts are waiting in a stocking.
St. Nicholas let me have that one.
So, we always had stockings. You could open them first thing when you got up Christmas morning–even if your parents weren’t awake. That always worked well.
Sneaking in gifts when your sibling wasn’t watching was the magic in our stockings!
The Santa Claus Chronicles
I read a new book this season called The Santa Claus Chronicles: Heartwarming Tales from a Real Life Santa by Dan Short and Rene Gutteridge.
Dan tells stories of many years working as Santa Claus in malls and other venues.
I met him last summer and he’s just as lovely and congenial as the character he portrays each winter.
From his book, I learned about Santa University, and the great lengths and training he received to ensure he gave families a good experience.
I appreciated the book, loved the stories, and look at all those many men in red each winter, with greater appreciation.
The best Christmas visitor
Other than Jesus, of course, my favorite visitor story came from our submarine days.
My friend Penny pushed a crowded grocery cart to the check out counter at the Navy Commissary a few days before Christmas one year.
The kind checker, wearing a Father Christmas hat, leaned over the counter to hand her two preschoolers a candy cane.
She smiled gaily, “Who’s coming to your house soon?”
The earnest Josh, who also didn’t believe in Santa Claus, looked up with wide eyes and big grin.
“Daddy!”
Who needs Santa Claus when your dad comes home on Christmas Eve after a long deployment?
No Santa, but what instead?
Advent.
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Tweetables
How and why a family doesn’t include Santa Claus in their Christmas. Click to Tweet
What do you mean no Santa Claus? and other holiday traditions. Click to Tweet
We won’t hear for Santa on the roof,
we will not seek him at the mall,
for we have found a greater truth,
so dash away, dash away, dash away all!
There are no elves in bright attire,
but there’s One whose blood ran red;
“Ho, ho, ho!” does not inspire;
“…gave His Son”, yeah, that, instead.
Yes, the images are cute
and we watch ‘Rudolph’ every year,
but Santa’s point is truly moot
in bringing home the Christmas cheer.
After all who can resist
a Saviour, brings the greatest Gift?
Oh, Andrew, your poems are so much fun to read!
And here I was expecting something about too many dogs to let a fat red suited man down the chimney!
Blessings.