In Defense of Santa Claus by Candice Watters on 12/19/2008 at 1:25 PM

Tony Woodlief writes in today's Wall Street Journal about the merits of believing in Santa Claus, or more precisely, his kids' belief in the jolly old elf. Concerned that his 8-year-old son is figuring out the improbability of delivering gifts to every child in the whole world in a single night, he writes,

Perhaps a more responsible parent would confess, but I hesitate. For this I blame G.K. Chesterton, whose treatise "Orthodoxy" had its 100th anniversary this year. One of its themes is the violence that rationalistic modernism has worked on the valuable idea of a "mystical condition," which is to say the mystery inherent in a supernaturally created world. Writing of his path to faith in God, Chesterton says: "I had always believed that the world involved magic: now I thought that perhaps it involved a magician."

Woodlief further appeals to the likes of George MacDonald and C.S. Lewis in defense of his defense of Santa, saying,

As a parent, I believe (with the older apologists) that it's essential to preserve a small, inviolate space in the heart of a child, a space where he is free to believe impossibilities. The fantasy writer George MacDonald -- author of "The Light Princess" and "The Golden Key" -- whom Lewis esteemed as one of his greatest inspirations, suggested that it is only by gazing through magic-tinted eyes that one can see God: "With his divine alchemy," McDonald wrote, "he turns not only water into wine, but common things into radiant mysteries." The obfuscating spirit of the "commonplace," meanwhile, is "ever covering the deep and clouding the high."

Nowhere else is that obfuscation more evident than in the scientific community. Having watched most of Expelled last night, I was deeply troubled by what's revealed in the debate between scientists who hold an unquestioning devotion to Darwin's theory and those who are willing to consider evidence to the contrary.

If Ben Stein's documentary is right, the rejection of all things non-material does violence to much more than Chesterton's "idea of a 'mystical condition.'" The violence is pervasive and brutally physical. Witness the willful extermination of 6 million Jews in the name of racial purity; atrocities made possible in part by a whole bunch of people devoted to Darwin's view of the world. His was a world without anything beyond our five senses.

And if that's all there is, then we have no free will, no purpose, and nothing at all beyond this life (so says Darwinist Will Provine in the film). It's a glum -- and ultimately violent -- existence.

You may be thinking the links between Santa, Darwin and Jesus a bit flimsy or hokey, but trust me, they're there (or better yet, read the article and rent the film and see them for yourself). At root is a willingness to believe in a reality that we can't smell or see or hear or taste or touch.

Woodlief says,

Magic-talk gets under the skin of many, like renowned scientist and atheist Richard Dawkins. This is doubly so when it is what the Christ-figure Aslan, in C.S. Lewis's "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe," calls "the deeper magic," an allusion to divinity. Mr. Dawkins is reportedly writing a book examining the pernicious tendency of fantasy tales to promote "anti-scientific" thinking among children. He suspects that such stories lay the groundwork for religious faith, the inculcation of which, he claims, is a worse form of child abuse than sexual molestation.

For his part, Woodlief will remain loyal to the fantastical:

Puritans and atheists alike may disapprove, but our home is filled with fairy tales and fiction books, in hopes that the magic sprinkled across their pages will linger in the hearts of our children. In this we side with Chesterton, who wrote: "I left the fairy tales lying on the floor of the nursery, and I have not found any books so sensible since."

I'm with him.

In Defense of Santa Claus by Candice Watters on 12/19/2008 at 1:25 PM

Tony Woodlief writes in today's Wall Street Journal about the merits of believing in Santa Claus, or more precisely, his kids' belief in the jolly old elf. Concerned that his 8-year-old son is figuring out the improbability of delivering gifts to every child in the whole world in a single night, he writes,

Perhaps a more responsible parent would confess, but I hesitate. For this I blame G.K. Chesterton, whose treatise "Orthodoxy" had its 100th anniversary this year. One of its themes is the violence that rationalistic modernism has worked on the valuable idea of a "mystical condition," which is to say the mystery inherent in a supernaturally created world. Writing of his path to faith in God, Chesterton says: "I had always believed that the world involved magic: now I thought that perhaps it involved a magician."

Woodlief further appeals to the likes of George MacDonald and C.S. Lewis in defense of his defense of Santa, saying,

As a parent, I believe (with the older apologists) that it's essential to preserve a small, inviolate space in the heart of a child, a space where he is free to believe impossibilities. The fantasy writer George MacDonald -- author of "The Light Princess" and "The Golden Key" -- whom Lewis esteemed as one of his greatest inspirations, suggested that it is only by gazing through magic-tinted eyes that one can see God: "With his divine alchemy," McDonald wrote, "he turns not only water into wine, but common things into radiant mysteries." The obfuscating spirit of the "commonplace," meanwhile, is "ever covering the deep and clouding the high."

Nowhere else is that obfuscation more evident than in the scientific community. Having watched most of Expelled last night, I was deeply troubled by what's revealed in the debate between scientists who hold an unquestioning devotion to Darwin's theory and those who are willing to consider evidence to the contrary.

If Ben Stein's documentary is right, the rejection of all things non-material does violence to much more than Chesterton's "idea of a 'mystical condition.'" The violence is pervasive and brutally physical. Witness the willful extermination of 6 million Jews in the name of racial purity; atrocities made possible in part by a whole bunch of people devoted to Darwin's view of the world. His was a world without anything beyond our five senses.

And if that's all there is, then we have no free will, no purpose, and nothing at all beyond this life (so says Darwinist Will Provine in the film). It's a glum -- and ultimately violent -- existence.

You may be thinking the links between Santa, Darwin and Jesus a bit flimsy or hokey, but trust me, they're there (or better yet, read the article and rent the film and see them for yourself). At root is a willingness to believe in a reality that we can't smell or see or hear or taste or touch.

Woodlief says,

Magic-talk gets under the skin of many, like renowned scientist and atheist Richard Dawkins. This is doubly so when it is what the Christ-figure Aslan, in C.S. Lewis's "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe," calls "the deeper magic," an allusion to divinity. Mr. Dawkins is reportedly writing a book examining the pernicious tendency of fantasy tales to promote "anti-scientific" thinking among children. He suspects that such stories lay the groundwork for religious faith, the inculcation of which, he claims, is a worse form of child abuse than sexual molestation.

For his part, Woodlief will remain loyal to the fantastical:

Puritans and atheists alike may disapprove, but our home is filled with fairy tales and fiction books, in hopes that the magic sprinkled across their pages will linger in the hearts of our children. In this we side with Chesterton, who wrote: "I left the fairy tales lying on the floor of the nursery, and I have not found any books so sensible since."

I'm with him.

Comments

[1. Kim said the following at 4:25 PM on Dec 19:]

1

While I disagree with some of the conclusions drawn about the connection between the Holocaust and Darwin, I found this to be a lovely post about the importance of embracing the mystical about God.

Thank you.

[2. Rachael said the following at 4:28 PM on Dec 19:]

2

I'd be okay if my future children read fairy tales & fiction, but I will not tell them that Santa comes and delivers presents to them. Sure if we're in a mall and see Santa sitting there, I won't necessarily adamantly tell them Santa's not 'real', and who knows, there might be Santa media and decorations around the house and at Christmas parties we go to in the future, but I don't intend to make a huge thing out of ole Saint Nick. But also I don't want them to slam Santa in front of other Santa-beliving kids as that is not their job but is up to their parents. I don't think we ever believed in Santa growing up, at least a belief in Santa was never instilled in us, I think. But when you're young you have all sorts of crazy ideas - I think I once asked my mom if we could get Jesus a crib for Christmas...

[3. BDB said the following at 4:28 PM on Dec 19:]

3

My local Christian radio station played "Silver Bells." It has a verse about Santa. I did pause for a moment pondering whether anyone would call in to complain...

[4. Louise from Chicago said the following at 4:28 PM on Dec 19:]

4

I would never condemn anyone for wanting his/her children to believe in Santa Claus as an actual physical being, but if I were a parent this isn't a myth I would perpetuate.

Even the smallest children, in my opinion, are capable of understanding the concept of Santa Claus as the gentle spirit of giving at Christmas time.

Of course, if I know that parents want their kids to believe in a person of Santa Claus, I don't spill the beans.

:)

[5. Alison said the following at 4:29 PM on Dec 19:]

5

Thanks, Candice for such a great post! I grew up in a Christian home. Every Christmas ever we read "The Night Before Christmas" and then the Christmas story from the passage of Luke. Eventually, I learned that Santa was not real. Learning about Santa though does create a spirit of mystery. While I learned that "fantasy" is not real, I am open to the mysterious miracles of Christ. How often we forget that we have an almighty God capable of miracles! Scripture even talks about having the faith of Child. I think Santa helps teach children to learn how to have faith in the impossible.

[6. BDB said the following at 4:29 PM on Dec 19:]

6

There is some interesting scientific analysis about how Santa actually gets all the presents delivered.

One thing we can be sure of is that Santa's sleigh is not stealthy. The folks at NORAD in Colorado Springs are able to track his flight path each Christmas.

[7. J. Tucker said the following at 4:33 PM on Dec 19:]

7

I'm with you on this one, Candice. Magic is at the very heart of creativity and imagination, not only for children, but also for adults. I don't view fiction and magical settings as "escapes from reality." I view them as a mode of expression, just like art, poetry, or music.

On the other hand, I'm largely opposed to the fiction of Santa Claus. I view it as a a Christmas distraction. It's very convenient for merchants and corporations, as having someone dress up as Santa in the mall brings families in to spend more money on thoughtless junk. Even if old Saint Nick does have a lesson to teach about giving, God had an even better one when he gave us his Son and the option of Salvation.

If Santa weren't so pervasive during Christmastime, I probably wouldn't give him a second thought. But have you ever seen a nativity scene set up in a shopping mall before? I haven't, but maybe I'm going to the wrong shopping malls.

From a legal point of view, a government isn't subject to lawsuit if it sets up a Santa Claus in a government building. But there are numerous Supreme Court cases arguing that a nativity scene violates the First Amendment of the Consitution. If that isn't evidence that Santa is a secular substitution for a religious holiday, I don't know what is.

[8. Charity said the following at 5:03 PM on Dec 19:]

8

I read Dicken's "Hard Times" this summer. It is devoted to this very topic. The entire book revolves around the unforeseen consequences of crushing the child-like wonder and magic out of children and replacing it solely with facts and scientific thinking. It was interesting to see the way the pendulum of ideas has swung back and forth and back again.

[9. Jade said the following at 7:14 PM on Dec 19:]

9

I still believe in Santa.

[10. DannieA said the following at 7:14 PM on Dec 19:]

10

"As long as there is kindness...there is a Santa Claus...."

taken from a book my mom has about St. Nicholas and traditions that have become after he passed.

[11. marcel said the following at 7:14 PM on Dec 19:]

11

As J. Tucker suggested

Santa Claus is a distraction from what is really special about Christmas.

Instead of concentrating on the arrival of the Savior of the world, we tell our kids to focus on material gain.

[12. BDB said the following at 7:15 PM on Dec 19:]

12

Oh, now here's something appropriate for Boundless readers. It seems that St. Nicholas was a real guy who secretly provided gold for dowries so that poor girls could get married. Perhaps we should teach children to associate Santa with advocating marriage.

Though, be careful to not re-arrange the letters in Santa to spell another dude's name. That would be an embarassing post...

[13. Tami said the following at 10:02 PM on Dec 19:]

13

Oh, Orthodoxy. I will always remember how our relationship stopped and started, and finally ended. You have stayed with me longer than many other books have. Perhaps because I read your first three chapters so many times. No matter, you are awesome, even though I closed the book on you so many years ago. I confess I still think about you often, and when I see your name, I smile fondly. I know they recommend that the woman not be the one to say "I love you" first, but there you have it. I can't hold it in any longer.

Seriously. Orthodoxy is a great book. It takes some getting used to, but it's well worth it. I highly recommend it.

[14. Kathryn said the following at 10:06 PM on Dec 19:]

14

I hate Santa.

Santa is arbitrary and contradictory. What are you teaching your children about right and wrong? He's making a list, checking it twice and then gives everyone presents anyway! What are you teaching your children about whom to thank for things? $200 worth of presents: thanks Santa(!)

How on earth do you expect to maintain integrity with your children when you're pulling them into this lie!? What on earth justifies telling it? I asked a girl at work and her reply was that it makes Christmas magical. As if receiving a bunch of presents from your parents isn't magical enough and the divine mystery of God becoming incarnate! In other words: it's an excuse for the holiday that ignores and covers up the REAL reason we are celebrating. Jesus!

He is a horrible, disgusting lie and parents are fools for encouraging the atrocious myth. Especially when we ought to be setting our hearts on things above, on Jesus!

[15. Merrie said the following at 10:07 PM on Dec 19:]

15

I love the idea of seeing God through a sense of wonder and a belief of the magical. However, I wonder what whether a parent who hopes to keep imagination and wonder a live through Santa will ultimately find their plan backfired. My mother was raised on Santa and completely crushed when she found out he wasn't real - and that she'd been lied to because everyone thought it was "cute". For me, never believing in Santa, I've always found it more wonderful that the presents were given out of hearts of love from my parents than some gift-bestowing stranger. More gratitude when it's given with love than when he doesn't meet all the items on your demanded list, too! :)

[16. Melissa S. said the following at 9:38 PM on Dec 20:]

16

I think I understand the point this post is trying to make and I've read about Dawkins and his dislike for fantasy before. I agree with most of the other comments made about not spoiling Santa for other families, that the Santa game can take the focus off of Christ, etc. I don't like to make a huge deal out of it one way or the other.

But here is a little distinction that I don't think has been made yet: There is a big difference between allowing children to dream about fairy-stories and other "realities" because it may make it easier for them to believe that the invisible parts of reality are really there---big difference between that, and introducing, encouraging, and creating a Santa experience for children year after year while telling them that it is part of reality. I really don't see how creating a false reality and telling children that it's true helps children believe in other things that really are true. It could create a problem for them. Trusted adults lie about an unseen reality all in fun and expect the child to believe in it (and they find out it's not reality) while at the same time telling the truth about another unseen reality and expect children to believe it-- but this time the eternal destiny of the child's souls depend on it.

On the other hand, letting children read fantasy stories and having discussions about the stories when they ask if it's true is actually helpful. And your honesty isn't impeached.

Maybe the whole Santa thing is a bigger deal to me than I thought. The truth is important. And even though these are seen as small, white lies, just for fun, or not really lies at all, it doesn't make sense to deceive children like that. It's not even for a noble cause.

Big difference between the Santa tradition and having kids read plenty of fairy-stories, Chronicles of Narnia, Lord of the Rings, etc. Unless you're telling the kids that Chronicles of Narnia is absolute truth and that Aslan is bringing the presents.

[17. DannieA said the following at 9:39 PM on Dec 20:]

17

Dear Kathryn, (and others)

I hope Santa comes and gives you something special. I also hope that you can be Santa to others as well.

Seriously...does anyone not read up on St. Nicholas and rejoices that He felt called by God to help the poor and needy?
As my family will continually tell people...commercialism of something good is not a reason to become dour of everything.

[18. Ariana said the following at 9:59 PM on Dec 20:]

18

This post made a lovely point. I believed in Santa for a really long time, mostly becuase I genuinely believed in the mystical and mysterious and wonderful. I wouldn't lie to my children now, but I think that preserving that sense of wonder is a good and needful thing.

[19. Kate (who is applying to law school!) said the following at 9:59 PM on Dec 20:]

19

I never really went for the Santa story, due to a visibly sealed up fireplace in our apartment at the time . . . The Easter Bunny however, was another story. After all, Easter Bunnies could use doors. I don't think Santa is a bad thing, I figured out he wasn't real, and I figured out that Princess isn't a viable occupation in this day and age. It's all part of growing up. We just have to be careful of putting too much emphasis on it.

PS- In the midst of applications, various forms and fees, I'm a bit bitter the princess thing didn't work out. :) Do you think lawyers ever get to wear tiaras?

[20. BDB said the following at 9:40 AM on Dec 21:]

20

Kate (who is applying to law school!)

>>Do you think lawyers ever get to wear tiaras?<<

I think they give them out when you pass the bar...

[21. Mike Theemling said the following at 7:01 PM on Dec 21:]

21

I believe in Santa Claus and he just got a request from the Big 3 for a bailout.

I wonder if the Big 3 have been naughty or nice this past year?

[22. Kathryn said the following at 7:03 PM on Dec 21:]

22

DannieA:

Thank you, but no thanks. I pray that if I do happen to receive any gifts from anon. that I will remember to thank God for them, not Santa.

Also, I'm finding that I love Christmas more each year as I grow in my relationship with God and find my self overwhelmed at times that God would do such a great and wonderful thing as redeeming us - out of his own gracious love, nothing to do with who I am, but who HE is. Christmas is an excellent reminder of that - THAT is why I love it. I hate that Santa takes away from that and provides other meaning apart from Jesus.

[23. Sasha said the following at 7:05 PM on Dec 21:]

23

I'm with Melissa (#16) - I am very much in favor of preserving the sense of the mysterious and magical in children's minds. I love fantasy literature and am a very strong advocate of reading it to and with children. Fairy stories can develop children's sense of morality and wonder in a beautiful way. I've seen the Narnia stories have a huge impact on the life and mind of a seven-year-old girl for whom I act as 'governess'.

But lying to one's children about Santa Claus seems dangerous. They will eventually find out that he's not real....and the next question in their minds may be, "What about the other person we celebrate on Christmas?" My dad, who was raised believing in Santa in a Christian family, says the first thought that crossed his mind when he found out that Santa was not real was "Well, what about Jesus?" This is not to disrespect those parents who do choose to raise their kids believing in Santa, but I do think it is a bit risky.

[24. Rana said the following at 9:28 AM on Dec 22:]

24

I agree with Sasha.

The wonder and imagination of childhood is to be cherished and preserved.

But outright lying? All justifications based on the pros and cons fall to the wayside when one recalls that there is a very specific commandment in the Bible: Thou shalt not lie.

Period.

To enjoy Santa as another fairy story, myth, or legend might be all right, but to actually lie to your children for the first several years of their lives is wrong.

[25. Priscilla J. said the following at 9:29 AM on Dec 22:]

25

As delightful and "spiritual" as a Christian parent may find the Santa story, we are nevertheless barred from telling it to our children. Why? Because it is a lie. And in John 8:44, Jesus tells us that Satan is the father of all lies.

Do not bear false witness this Christmas.

[26. Christina (in green) said the following at 1:04 PM on Dec 22:]

26

I'm torn on this.

I indulged in the "Santa Fantasy", but I really don't think I ever actually believed it.

I thought it would be neat, I enjoyed listening for reindeer on the rooftops...just like I enjoyed going out in the evening to try to find fairies in the twilight.

My parents indulged it, but they also taught me (and siblings) about Saint Nicholas (the REAL Santa Claus). At some point in history, Santa was real. Santa Clause is actually derived for Sinter Klaas (A source here). All of those little stories that go with him are child fantasies that spun off of a REAL man.

So, for the sake of this argument that so many seem to be in favor of encouraging the "mysterious" and mythical and magical (because it REALLY does help the imagination thrive), it was those very attributes in children that led to the modern story of Santa Claus to begin with =p

Every year, we'd have gifts under the tree with no "from" name. They'd be along side the ones that were "from mom and dad". Those would be "from Santa". I don't think any of us actually believed in him outside of the old story of Sinter Klaas (or St. Nicholas), but sometimes, the presents WERE from Santa Claus - a friend who knew my parents couldn't afford gifts and left them for us anonymously (my parents knew who they were from).

I don't see anything wrong with indulging the fantastical in a child's imagination. Its a glorious thing. And if they wish to believe in Santa Claus, I don't see any harm in letting them. Of course, I agree you shouldn't lie to them - but rather than lie and say there ISN'T a Santa to prove a point, you should tell the REAL story of Santa...at least at a certain point.

But seriously, children enjoy believing in the fantastical.

[27. John Gums said the following at 1:05 PM on Dec 22:]

27

I suspect many Christians are worried that if kids figure out the myth of Santa they will also question if Jesus is a myth.

[28. DannieA said the following at 1:05 PM on Dec 22:]

28

I think it would depend on which 'santa' story you are referring to.

I grew up knowing that mom and dad provided the gifts and not santa on Christmas eve, however, it did not stop my parents from reading to me about St. Nicholas and about the history of many Christmas songs...i.e. Rudolph the red nosed raindeer...which are actually really touching personal stories.

Yes from St. Nick to today's version of jolly rotund Santa, there has been many changes...but I can't help smiling every time I see a Santa Claus...does not mean that I do not meditate on the meaning of Christmas.
The characteristics of Santa are nice....in fact, I believe Santa is making an appearance at our house for Christmas Eve...but I digress.

[29. LCW said the following at 1:07 PM on Dec 22:]

29

Candice,

Great post...but I'd like to give a shot at explaining our family's different position.

I agree that we need to nurture in children (and retain as adults) a sense of wonder and possibility in the "mystical" or supernatural, so as to keep our rational senses from crowding out an acceptance of the unseen, of God Himself. But I am not as convinced that encouraging our children to believe in something we know to be un-real helps us accomplish this.

When I was a boy, my parents being divorced, my mom told me Santa was not real, probably around 7 yrs old. I went to my dad's house and told my older step-sister (and maybe some cousins) what I had learned, somewhat adamantly and with evangelistic fervor. I got in big trouble.

Now, my wife and I handle it differently, working to balance the fun of pretend stories and tradition with the truth of Jesus, the One the original "Santa" sought to serve. We decided many years ago to tell our girls that Santa is not real but is a Christmas tradition that many people pretend is real, and is based on a real person who sought to serve the needs of others in response to the love of Christ. We still sometimes put "Santa" on presents and have someone "play Santa" on Christmas to disperse the presents around the room.

We want them to experience several things: 1) the focus on Jesus and on serving others this time of year in response to His love for us; 2) the enjoyment of celebrating the legends of others who have done so; 3) show grace and courtesy to others who "believe" otherwise (we do not encourage them to interfere with other family's choices on this issue, in other words).

I think our bottom line is that we want them to believe in the "mystical" that is real, not rely on the hope of the false "mystical" as a basis for what could be real to them. I simply don't wish them someday to think..."well if Santa isn't real, maybe Jesus isn't real either." The world would love that.

Bottom line: While I hold this for our family, I do not wish to "ruin" the choices of other parents. This is not a big enough issue in my mind to divide families or friends, as I unwittingly did as a boy.

[30. KJ said the following at 8:59 AM on Dec 23:]

30

I was a very logical child. Had my parents fed the Santa myth to me (and I have heard of parents going all-out, making "reindeer prints" in the snow with sticks, eating the cookies, etc.) I would have probably one day concluded: "My parents told me Santa brings me presents. Now they're telling me they bring me presents. They told me Jesus brings me salvation. So who brings that?"

Another reason to not perpetuate the Santa myth: the reality that one of your children may overhear one of your adult friends talking about Santa's lack of existence and have their innocence smashed to bits that way. (I am torn between feeling bad and not feeling bad over this, having been the foot-in-mouth adult mentioned above...part of me says it was dumb and unthinking of me to say such a thing in the presence of a child under ten, and then part of me thinks the parents were the ones who perpetuated the myth to begin with when they knew it wasn't true...)

But then, how do you all feel about the tooth fairy? I always knew it was one or the other of my parents, even before I found that box of teeth in my parents' bedroom. It was more of a fun game to see how much money the TF would leave under my pillow, esp. when I lost a tooth on vacation in another state.

[31. Alex C. said the following at 9:03 AM on Dec 23:]

31

Its been a while since I posted ^^.

I'm with Kathryn, Melissa S, and the rest. I think the point about keeping the "mystery" of life and children's imaginations alive is good, but I don't think something like Santa is the way to do it. Telling them about the origins of santa and other christmas traditions is great and wonderful, but it seems that most people really try to present Santa as something that is REAL, which just comes off to me as lieing, plain and simple, and is rather counterproductive to forming a good relationships with children.

And what frustrates me even more is that there are a lot of great movies out there (Miracle on 34th Street, The Santa Clause, for examples) that I've enjoyed in the past and can really like from a story telling and fiction perspective, but that still bother me because they work from the perspective that Santa Claus is factual and seemed engineered to reinforce little children's ideas that Santa clause is real *in real life*.

And I don't know, maybe its just me, but I have a hard time understanding how so many people can find the idea of telling little kids that santa is ACTUALLY real, and creating all these movies and stories and things to support the idea, as being harmless fun. Its the greatest conspiracy of our time ^^.

[32. John said the following at 9:11 AM on Dec 23:]

32

Candice,

Are you kidding? Did you just try to justify lying to children by saying they're less likely to be atheists? Or something along those lines?

Lying to your children is wrong?

Encouraging a sense of wonder about God is, of course, right?

Trying to do the latter by doing the former is wrong.

God, His creation and everything else He has done and the mind blowing manner in which He has done it is all one needs.

Fairy tales, fantasy, myths and legends and outright falsehoods or lies are not necessary.

Don't lie to your kid. Encourage gratitude for the sacrifices that our made to provide them with gifts and teach them about the greatest gift of all.

[33. LouiseinPA said the following at 9:11 AM on Dec 23:]

33

Kathryn #22, I disagree that teaching your kids about Santa Claus takes away from the birth of Christ. Yes, it is possible to give your kids Santa Claus presents and not acknowledge Christ at all. But it is also possible to teach your children the legend of Santa when they're young, the true story of St. Nick when they're older, and still have Christ at the center of Christ.

By the way, I think the story of St. Nick is beautiful. St. Nick was tortured for his faith and did amazing things for the poor. We should remember and honor him as a holy man. Doing so does not take away at all from Christ's glory.

[34. Christina (in green) said the following at 9:47 AM on Dec 23:]

34

John (#32),
Fairy tales, fantasy, myths and legends and outright falsehoods or lies are not necessary.

Why did you just group all those together?

Its not LYING if your child knows its fantasy or myth.

Why can't you encourage fairy tales, fantasy, and myths while ensuring your child is aware they are fairy tales, fantasy, and myths?

But your advocating outright lies by denying any existence of Santa Claus.

How lame is that?

If you don't want your kid believing that Santa STILL exists, then tell them the REAL story and how all those stories about him came about. It really is a lot of fun.

[35. kaj said the following at 11:08 AM on Dec 23:]

35

This discussion reminds me of two Statler Brothers songs my mom used to play when I was a kid:

I Believe in Santa's Cause

Whose Birthday is Christmas?

[36. John said the following at 11:55 AM on Dec 24:]

36

"But your advocating outright lies by denying any existence of Santa Claus.

How lame is that?"

Where and when did I deny the existence of Santa Claus.

How lame is it to accuse someone of something they didn't do.

I said myths, legends and fairy tales are not NECESSARY.

I didn't say one shouldn't use them.

But giving you kids presents and telling them santa brought them is an outright lie and trying to justify it by saying it encourages a child's imagination which in turns ensures they won't turn into atheists is a bit of stretch.

[37. Bethany said the following at 8:18 AM on Dec 29:]

37

"Santa Claus and Popcorn, Jingle bells and reindeer horn, Christmas Eve and mistletoe...JESUS LOVES ME this I know... carolers singing Silent night, Crosby dreams of Christmas White... We CELEBRATE cause a KING was born with Santa Claus and popcorn... "

This one of my favorite holiday songs... because all the fun of Christmas is because of the Joy of the one who made Christmas special... Christ Jesus... I come from a family with a long tradition of Santa Claus... But at the heart of Christmas I knew that JESUS was the reason for the season... Children learn about Santa...but we must remember that Santa...(Saint Nicholas) was a Christian man who did good things for others in Christ's honor... on the day of Christ's mass. His memory lives on in our tradition... and I want to remember that Christian tradition of doing for others in honor of our Lord and Savior with out needing the credit for it... and that's what the Santa tradition allows us to do... give freely without expecting thanks... We give good gifts to our children and others with this tradition in mind... And since we remember that Nicholas was a Christian we know that in those famous words... "Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus and he lives and lives forever... " but it is not here on earth that he lives but rather with his king... the Savior of the World... OUR LORD JESUS!!!! Merry Christmas Everyone!

[38. Mark said the following at 8:21 AM on Dec 29:]

38

If we're going to teach our children something "mystical, mysterious, and wonderful" let's teach them something mystical, mysterious, wonderful, and true (Philippians 4:8).

If anything, I would think that learning Santa isn't real would damage a child's ability to accept other "unscientific" ideas. "If Santa isn't real," a child might reason, "then maybe God isn't either. Can anything my parents taught me be trusted?"

St. Nicolas was a real person who sought to imitate Jesus Christ, also a real person. Let our focus be on Him during this and all other times of the year.

[39. Rachael said the following at 8:21 AM on Dec 29:]

39

My parents never taught me about Santa, except to say that he's not real but I shouldn't say that to my cousins because they thought that he was. However, this did not stop me from researching movies, books, etc. trying to decipher as many details as possible about the *real* story...just as, as a very imaginative child, I did for King Arthur and Narnia. I do definitely think this "search for the mystical" influenced my faith in the supernatural.
I have not yet decided how I plan to handle Santa with my own children, but I do think that you can embrace a pretend fantasy without actually lying about it. This is what happens every time you say "once upon a time." As with everything else, children eventually discover which stories are true and which are false and which are symbolic of deeper things. Perhaps rather than either completely rejecting Santa or insisting on his literal existence, parents can treat Santa more as a pretend game, with parable-like symbolic qualities.

Also, though my parents never "lied" about Santa, they did purposefully teach me to pronounce words incorrectly (I was 20 before they told me that "circley" isn't actually a word--they had taught me to say it to be cute). To this, I can see no redeeming value but no extreme harm. ;-p

[1. Kim said the following at 4:25 PM on Dec 19:]

1

While I disagree with some of the conclusions drawn about the connection between the Holocaust and Darwin, I found this to be a lovely post about the importance of embracing the mystical about God.

Thank you.

[2. Rachael said the following at 4:28 PM on Dec 19:]

2

I'd be okay if my future children read fairy tales & fiction, but I will not tell them that Santa comes and delivers presents to them. Sure if we're in a mall and see Santa sitting there, I won't necessarily adamantly tell them Santa's not 'real', and who knows, there might be Santa media and decorations around the house and at Christmas parties we go to in the future, but I don't intend to make a huge thing out of ole Saint Nick. But also I don't want them to slam Santa in front of other Santa-beliving kids as that is not their job but is up to their parents. I don't think we ever believed in Santa growing up, at least a belief in Santa was never instilled in us, I think. But when you're young you have all sorts of crazy ideas - I think I once asked my mom if we could get Jesus a crib for Christmas...

[3. BDB said the following at 4:28 PM on Dec 19:]

3

My local Christian radio station played "Silver Bells." It has a verse about Santa. I did pause for a moment pondering whether anyone would call in to complain...

[4. Louise from Chicago said the following at 4:28 PM on Dec 19:]

4

I would never condemn anyone for wanting his/her children to believe in Santa Claus as an actual physical being, but if I were a parent this isn't a myth I would perpetuate.

Even the smallest children, in my opinion, are capable of understanding the concept of Santa Claus as the gentle spirit of giving at Christmas time.

Of course, if I know that parents want their kids to believe in a person of Santa Claus, I don't spill the beans.

:)

[5. Alison said the following at 4:29 PM on Dec 19:]

5

Thanks, Candice for such a great post! I grew up in a Christian home. Every Christmas ever we read "The Night Before Christmas" and then the Christmas story from the passage of Luke. Eventually, I learned that Santa was not real. Learning about Santa though does create a spirit of mystery. While I learned that "fantasy" is not real, I am open to the mysterious miracles of Christ. How often we forget that we have an almighty God capable of miracles! Scripture even talks about having the faith of Child. I think Santa helps teach children to learn how to have faith in the impossible.

[6. BDB said the following at 4:29 PM on Dec 19:]

6

There is some interesting scientific analysis about how Santa actually gets all the presents delivered.

One thing we can be sure of is that Santa's sleigh is not stealthy. The folks at NORAD in Colorado Springs are able to track his flight path each Christmas.

[7. J. Tucker said the following at 4:33 PM on Dec 19:]

7

I'm with you on this one, Candice. Magic is at the very heart of creativity and imagination, not only for children, but also for adults. I don't view fiction and magical settings as "escapes from reality." I view them as a mode of expression, just like art, poetry, or music.

On the other hand, I'm largely opposed to the fiction of Santa Claus. I view it as a a Christmas distraction. It's very convenient for merchants and corporations, as having someone dress up as Santa in the mall brings families in to spend more money on thoughtless junk. Even if old Saint Nick does have a lesson to teach about giving, God had an even better one when he gave us his Son and the option of Salvation.

If Santa weren't so pervasive during Christmastime, I probably wouldn't give him a second thought. But have you ever seen a nativity scene set up in a shopping mall before? I haven't, but maybe I'm going to the wrong shopping malls.

From a legal point of view, a government isn't subject to lawsuit if it sets up a Santa Claus in a government building. But there are numerous Supreme Court cases arguing that a nativity scene violates the First Amendment of the Consitution. If that isn't evidence that Santa is a secular substitution for a religious holiday, I don't know what is.

[8. Charity said the following at 5:03 PM on Dec 19:]

8

I read Dicken's "Hard Times" this summer. It is devoted to this very topic. The entire book revolves around the unforeseen consequences of crushing the child-like wonder and magic out of children and replacing it solely with facts and scientific thinking. It was interesting to see the way the pendulum of ideas has swung back and forth and back again.

[9. Jade said the following at 7:14 PM on Dec 19:]

9

I still believe in Santa.

[10. DannieA said the following at 7:14 PM on Dec 19:]

10

"As long as there is kindness...there is a Santa Claus...."

taken from a book my mom has about St. Nicholas and traditions that have become after he passed.

[11. marcel said the following at 7:14 PM on Dec 19:]

11

As J. Tucker suggested

Santa Claus is a distraction from what is really special about Christmas.

Instead of concentrating on the arrival of the Savior of the world, we tell our kids to focus on material gain.

[12. BDB said the following at 7:15 PM on Dec 19:]

12

Oh, now here's something appropriate for Boundless readers. It seems that St. Nicholas was a real guy who secretly provided gold for dowries so that poor girls could get married. Perhaps we should teach children to associate Santa with advocating marriage.

Though, be careful to not re-arrange the letters in Santa to spell another dude's name. That would be an embarassing post...

[13. Tami said the following at 10:02 PM on Dec 19:]

13

Oh, Orthodoxy. I will always remember how our relationship stopped and started, and finally ended. You have stayed with me longer than many other books have. Perhaps because I read your first three chapters so many times. No matter, you are awesome, even though I closed the book on you so many years ago. I confess I still think about you often, and when I see your name, I smile fondly. I know they recommend that the woman not be the one to say "I love you" first, but there you have it. I can't hold it in any longer.

Seriously. Orthodoxy is a great book. It takes some getting used to, but it's well worth it. I highly recommend it.

[14. Kathryn said the following at 10:06 PM on Dec 19:]

14

I hate Santa.

Santa is arbitrary and contradictory. What are you teaching your children about right and wrong? He's making a list, checking it twice and then gives everyone presents anyway! What are you teaching your children about whom to thank for things? $200 worth of presents: thanks Santa(!)

How on earth do you expect to maintain integrity with your children when you're pulling them into this lie!? What on earth justifies telling it? I asked a girl at work and her reply was that it makes Christmas magical. As if receiving a bunch of presents from your parents isn't magical enough and the divine mystery of God becoming incarnate! In other words: it's an excuse for the holiday that ignores and covers up the REAL reason we are celebrating. Jesus!

He is a horrible, disgusting lie and parents are fools for encouraging the atrocious myth. Especially when we ought to be setting our hearts on things above, on Jesus!

[15. Merrie said the following at 10:07 PM on Dec 19:]

15

I love the idea of seeing God through a sense of wonder and a belief of the magical. However, I wonder what whether a parent who hopes to keep imagination and wonder a live through Santa will ultimately find their plan backfired. My mother was raised on Santa and completely crushed when she found out he wasn't real - and that she'd been lied to because everyone thought it was "cute". For me, never believing in Santa, I've always found it more wonderful that the presents were given out of hearts of love from my parents than some gift-bestowing stranger. More gratitude when it's given with love than when he doesn't meet all the items on your demanded list, too! :)

[16. Melissa S. said the following at 9:38 PM on Dec 20:]

16

I think I understand the point this post is trying to make and I've read about Dawkins and his dislike for fantasy before. I agree with most of the other comments made about not spoiling Santa for other families, that the Santa game can take the focus off of Christ, etc. I don't like to make a huge deal out of it one way or the other.

But here is a little distinction that I don't think has been made yet: There is a big difference between allowing children to dream about fairy-stories and other "realities" because it may make it easier for them to believe that the invisible parts of reality are really there---big difference between that, and introducing, encouraging, and creating a Santa experience for children year after year while telling them that it is part of reality. I really don't see how creating a false reality and telling children that it's true helps children believe in other things that really are true. It could create a problem for them. Trusted adults lie about an unseen reality all in fun and expect the child to believe in it (and they find out it's not reality) while at the same time telling the truth about another unseen reality and expect children to believe it-- but this time the eternal destiny of the child's souls depend on it.

On the other hand, letting children read fantasy stories and having discussions about the stories when they ask if it's true is actually helpful. And your honesty isn't impeached.

Maybe the whole Santa thing is a bigger deal to me than I thought. The truth is important. And even though these are seen as small, white lies, just for fun, or not really lies at all, it doesn't make sense to deceive children like that. It's not even for a noble cause.

Big difference between the Santa tradition and having kids read plenty of fairy-stories, Chronicles of Narnia, Lord of the Rings, etc. Unless you're telling the kids that Chronicles of Narnia is absolute truth and that Aslan is bringing the presents.

[17. DannieA said the following at 9:39 PM on Dec 20:]

17

Dear Kathryn, (and others)

I hope Santa comes and gives you something special. I also hope that you can be Santa to others as well.

Seriously...does anyone not read up on St. Nicholas and rejoices that He felt called by God to help the poor and needy?
As my family will continually tell people...commercialism of something good is not a reason to become dour of everything.

[18. Ariana said the following at 9:59 PM on Dec 20:]

18

This post made a lovely point. I believed in Santa for a really long time, mostly becuase I genuinely believed in the mystical and mysterious and wonderful. I wouldn't lie to my children now, but I think that preserving that sense of wonder is a good and needful thing.

[19. Kate (who is applying to law school!) said the following at 9:59 PM on Dec 20:]

19

I never really went for the Santa story, due to a visibly sealed up fireplace in our apartment at the time . . . The Easter Bunny however, was another story. After all, Easter Bunnies could use doors. I don't think Santa is a bad thing, I figured out he wasn't real, and I figured out that Princess isn't a viable occupation in this day and age. It's all part of growing up. We just have to be careful of putting too much emphasis on it.

PS- In the midst of applications, various forms and fees, I'm a bit bitter the princess thing didn't work out. :) Do you think lawyers ever get to wear tiaras?

[20. BDB said the following at 9:40 AM on Dec 21:]

20

Kate (who is applying to law school!)

>>Do you think lawyers ever get to wear tiaras?<<

I think they give them out when you pass the bar...

[21. Mike Theemling said the following at 7:01 PM on Dec 21:]

21

I believe in Santa Claus and he just got a request from the Big 3 for a bailout.

I wonder if the Big 3 have been naughty or nice this past year?

[22. Kathryn said the following at 7:03 PM on Dec 21:]

22

DannieA:

Thank you, but no thanks. I pray that if I do happen to receive any gifts from anon. that I will remember to thank God for them, not Santa.

Also, I'm finding that I love Christmas more each year as I grow in my relationship with God and find my self overwhelmed at times that God would do such a great and wonderful thing as redeeming us - out of his own gracious love, nothing to do with who I am, but who HE is. Christmas is an excellent reminder of that - THAT is why I love it. I hate that Santa takes away from that and provides other meaning apart from Jesus.

[23. Sasha said the following at 7:05 PM on Dec 21:]

23

I'm with Melissa (#16) - I am very much in favor of preserving the sense of the mysterious and magical in children's minds. I love fantasy literature and am a very strong advocate of reading it to and with children. Fairy stories can develop children's sense of morality and wonder in a beautiful way. I've seen the Narnia stories have a huge impact on the life and mind of a seven-year-old girl for whom I act as 'governess'.

But lying to one's children about Santa Claus seems dangerous. They will eventually find out that he's not real....and the next question in their minds may be, "What about the other person we celebrate on Christmas?" My dad, who was raised believing in Santa in a Christian family, says the first thought that crossed his mind when he found out that Santa was not real was "Well, what about Jesus?" This is not to disrespect those parents who do choose to raise their kids believing in Santa, but I do think it is a bit risky.

[24. Rana said the following at 9:28 AM on Dec 22:]

24

I agree with Sasha.

The wonder and imagination of childhood is to be cherished and preserved.

But outright lying? All justifications based on the pros and cons fall to the wayside when one recalls that there is a very specific commandment in the Bible: Thou shalt not lie.

Period.

To enjoy Santa as another fairy story, myth, or legend might be all right, but to actually lie to your children for the first several years of their lives is wrong.

[25. Priscilla J. said the following at 9:29 AM on Dec 22:]

25

As delightful and "spiritual" as a Christian parent may find the Santa story, we are nevertheless barred from telling it to our children. Why? Because it is a lie. And in John 8:44, Jesus tells us that Satan is the father of all lies.

Do not bear false witness this Christmas.

[26. Christina (in green) said the following at 1:04 PM on Dec 22:]

26

I'm torn on this.

I indulged in the "Santa Fantasy", but I really don't think I ever actually believed it.

I thought it would be neat, I enjoyed listening for reindeer on the rooftops...just like I enjoyed going out in the evening to try to find fairies in the twilight.

My parents indulged it, but they also taught me (and siblings) about Saint Nicholas (the REAL Santa Claus). At some point in history, Santa was real. Santa Clause is actually derived for Sinter Klaas (A source here). All of those little stories that go with him are child fantasies that spun off of a REAL man.

So, for the sake of this argument that so many seem to be in favor of encouraging the "mysterious" and mythical and magical (because it REALLY does help the imagination thrive), it was those very attributes in children that led to the modern story of Santa Claus to begin with =p

Every year, we'd have gifts under the tree with no "from" name. They'd be along side the ones that were "from mom and dad". Those would be "from Santa". I don't think any of us actually believed in him outside of the old story of Sinter Klaas (or St. Nicholas), but sometimes, the presents WERE from Santa Claus - a friend who knew my parents couldn't afford gifts and left them for us anonymously (my parents knew who they were from).

I don't see anything wrong with indulging the fantastical in a child's imagination. Its a glorious thing. And if they wish to believe in Santa Claus, I don't see any harm in letting them. Of course, I agree you shouldn't lie to them - but rather than lie and say there ISN'T a Santa to prove a point, you should tell the REAL story of Santa...at least at a certain point.

But seriously, children enjoy believing in the fantastical.

[27. John Gums said the following at 1:05 PM on Dec 22:]

27

I suspect many Christians are worried that if kids figure out the myth of Santa they will also question if Jesus is a myth.

[28. DannieA said the following at 1:05 PM on Dec 22:]

28

I think it would depend on which 'santa' story you are referring to.

I grew up knowing that mom and dad provided the gifts and not santa on Christmas eve, however, it did not stop my parents from reading to me about St. Nicholas and about the history of many Christmas songs...i.e. Rudolph the red nosed raindeer...which are actually really touching personal stories.

Yes from St. Nick to today's version of jolly rotund Santa, there has been many changes...but I can't help smiling every time I see a Santa Claus...does not mean that I do not meditate on the meaning of Christmas.
The characteristics of Santa are nice....in fact, I believe Santa is making an appearance at our house for Christmas Eve...but I digress.

[29. LCW said the following at 1:07 PM on Dec 22:]

29

Candice,

Great post...but I'd like to give a shot at explaining our family's different position.

I agree that we need to nurture in children (and retain as adults) a sense of wonder and possibility in the "mystical" or supernatural, so as to keep our rational senses from crowding out an acceptance of the unseen, of God Himself. But I am not as convinced that encouraging our children to believe in something we know to be un-real helps us accomplish this.

When I was a boy, my parents being divorced, my mom told me Santa was not real, probably around 7 yrs old. I went to my dad's house and told my older step-sister (and maybe some cousins) what I had learned, somewhat adamantly and with evangelistic fervor. I got in big trouble.

Now, my wife and I handle it differently, working to balance the fun of pretend stories and tradition with the truth of Jesus, the One the original "Santa" sought to serve. We decided many years ago to tell our girls that Santa is not real but is a Christmas tradition that many people pretend is real, and is based on a real person who sought to serve the needs of others in response to the love of Christ. We still sometimes put "Santa" on presents and have someone "play Santa" on Christmas to disperse the presents around the room.

We want them to experience several things: 1) the focus on Jesus and on serving others this time of year in response to His love for us; 2) the enjoyment of celebrating the legends of others who have done so; 3) show grace and courtesy to others who "believe" otherwise (we do not encourage them to interfere with other family's choices on this issue, in other words).

I think our bottom line is that we want them to believe in the "mystical" that is real, not rely on the hope of the false "mystical" as a basis for what could be real to them. I simply don't wish them someday to think..."well if Santa isn't real, maybe Jesus isn't real either." The world would love that.

Bottom line: While I hold this for our family, I do not wish to "ruin" the choices of other parents. This is not a big enough issue in my mind to divide families or friends, as I unwittingly did as a boy.

[30. KJ said the following at 8:59 AM on Dec 23:]

30

I was a very logical child. Had my parents fed the Santa myth to me (and I have heard of parents going all-out, making "reindeer prints" in the snow with sticks, eating the cookies, etc.) I would have probably one day concluded: "My parents told me Santa brings me presents. Now they're telling me they bring me presents. They told me Jesus brings me salvation. So who brings that?"

Another reason to not perpetuate the Santa myth: the reality that one of your children may overhear one of your adult friends talking about Santa's lack of existence and have their innocence smashed to bits that way. (I am torn between feeling bad and not feeling bad over this, having been the foot-in-mouth adult mentioned above...part of me says it was dumb and unthinking of me to say such a thing in the presence of a child under ten, and then part of me thinks the parents were the ones who perpetuated the myth to begin with when they knew it wasn't true...)

But then, how do you all feel about the tooth fairy? I always knew it was one or the other of my parents, even before I found that box of teeth in my parents' bedroom. It was more of a fun game to see how much money the TF would leave under my pillow, esp. when I lost a tooth on vacation in another state.

[31. Alex C. said the following at 9:03 AM on Dec 23:]

31

Its been a while since I posted ^^.

I'm with Kathryn, Melissa S, and the rest. I think the point about keeping the "mystery" of life and children's imaginations alive is good, but I don't think something like Santa is the way to do it. Telling them about the origins of santa and other christmas traditions is great and wonderful, but it seems that most people really try to present Santa as something that is REAL, which just comes off to me as lieing, plain and simple, and is rather counterproductive to forming a good relationships with children.

And what frustrates me even more is that there are a lot of great movies out there (Miracle on 34th Street, The Santa Clause, for examples) that I've enjoyed in the past and can really like from a story telling and fiction perspective, but that still bother me because they work from the perspective that Santa Claus is factual and seemed engineered to reinforce little children's ideas that Santa clause is real *in real life*.

And I don't know, maybe its just me, but I have a hard time understanding how so many people can find the idea of telling little kids that santa is ACTUALLY real, and creating all these movies and stories and things to support the idea, as being harmless fun. Its the greatest conspiracy of our time ^^.

[32. John said the following at 9:11 AM on Dec 23:]

32

Candice,

Are you kidding? Did you just try to justify lying to children by saying they're less likely to be atheists? Or something along those lines?

Lying to your children is wrong?

Encouraging a sense of wonder about God is, of course, right?

Trying to do the latter by doing the former is wrong.

God, His creation and everything else He has done and the mind blowing manner in which He has done it is all one needs.

Fairy tales, fantasy, myths and legends and outright falsehoods or lies are not necessary.

Don't lie to your kid. Encourage gratitude for the sacrifices that our made to provide them with gifts and teach them about the greatest gift of all.

[33. LouiseinPA said the following at 9:11 AM on Dec 23:]

33

Kathryn #22, I disagree that teaching your kids about Santa Claus takes away from the birth of Christ. Yes, it is possible to give your kids Santa Claus presents and not acknowledge Christ at all. But it is also possible to teach your children the legend of Santa when they're young, the true story of St. Nick when they're older, and still have Christ at the center of Christ.

By the way, I think the story of St. Nick is beautiful. St. Nick was tortured for his faith and did amazing things for the poor. We should remember and honor him as a holy man. Doing so does not take away at all from Christ's glory.

[34. Christina (in green) said the following at 9:47 AM on Dec 23:]

34

John (#32),
Fairy tales, fantasy, myths and legends and outright falsehoods or lies are not necessary.

Why did you just group all those together?

Its not LYING if your child knows its fantasy or myth.

Why can't you encourage fairy tales, fantasy, and myths while ensuring your child is aware they are fairy tales, fantasy, and myths?

But your advocating outright lies by denying any existence of Santa Claus.

How lame is that?

If you don't want your kid believing that Santa STILL exists, then tell them the REAL story and how all those stories about him came about. It really is a lot of fun.

[35. kaj said the following at 11:08 AM on Dec 23:]

35

This discussion reminds me of two Statler Brothers songs my mom used to play when I was a kid:

I Believe in Santa's Cause

Whose Birthday is Christmas?

[36. John said the following at 11:55 AM on Dec 24:]

36

"But your advocating outright lies by denying any existence of Santa Claus.

How lame is that?"

Where and when did I deny the existence of Santa Claus.

How lame is it to accuse someone of something they didn't do.

I said myths, legends and fairy tales are not NECESSARY.

I didn't say one shouldn't use them.

But giving you kids presents and telling them santa brought them is an outright lie and trying to justify it by saying it encourages a child's imagination which in turns ensures they won't turn into atheists is a bit of stretch.

[37. Bethany said the following at 8:18 AM on Dec 29:]

37

"Santa Claus and Popcorn, Jingle bells and reindeer horn, Christmas Eve and mistletoe...JESUS LOVES ME this I know... carolers singing Silent night, Crosby dreams of Christmas White... We CELEBRATE cause a KING was born with Santa Claus and popcorn... "

This one of my favorite holiday songs... because all the fun of Christmas is because of the Joy of the one who made Christmas special... Christ Jesus... I come from a family with a long tradition of Santa Claus... But at the heart of Christmas I knew that JESUS was the reason for the season... Children learn about Santa...but we must remember that Santa...(Saint Nicholas) was a Christian man who did good things for others in Christ's honor... on the day of Christ's mass. His memory lives on in our tradition... and I want to remember that Christian tradition of doing for others in honor of our Lord and Savior with out needing the credit for it... and that's what the Santa tradition allows us to do... give freely without expecting thanks... We give good gifts to our children and others with this tradition in mind... And since we remember that Nicholas was a Christian we know that in those famous words... "Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus and he lives and lives forever... " but it is not here on earth that he lives but rather with his king... the Savior of the World... OUR LORD JESUS!!!! Merry Christmas Everyone!

[38. Mark said the following at 8:21 AM on Dec 29:]

38

If we're going to teach our children something "mystical, mysterious, and wonderful" let's teach them something mystical, mysterious, wonderful, and true (Philippians 4:8).

If anything, I would think that learning Santa isn't real would damage a child's ability to accept other "unscientific" ideas. "If Santa isn't real," a child might reason, "then maybe God isn't either. Can anything my parents taught me be trusted?"

St. Nicolas was a real person who sought to imitate Jesus Christ, also a real person. Let our focus be on Him during this and all other times of the year.

[39. Rachael said the following at 8:21 AM on Dec 29:]

39

My parents never taught me about Santa, except to say that he's not real but I shouldn't say that to my cousins because they thought that he was. However, this did not stop me from researching movies, books, etc. trying to decipher as many details as possible about the *real* story...just as, as a very imaginative child, I did for King Arthur and Narnia. I do definitely think this "search for the mystical" influenced my faith in the supernatural.
I have not yet decided how I plan to handle Santa with my own children, but I do think that you can embrace a pretend fantasy without actually lying about it. This is what happens every time you say "once upon a time." As with everything else, children eventually discover which stories are true and which are false and which are symbolic of deeper things. Perhaps rather than either completely rejecting Santa or insisting on his literal existence, parents can treat Santa more as a pretend game, with parable-like symbolic qualities.

Also, though my parents never "lied" about Santa, they did purposefully teach me to pronounce words incorrectly (I was 20 before they told me that "circley" isn't actually a word--they had taught me to say it to be cute). To this, I can see no redeeming value but no extreme harm. ;-p