The Myth or The Ministry of Santa?

Every year since our first child was old enough to really start getting into Christmas, the presents, songs, festivities, and overall joy of the season, I have struggled with whether to have Santa Claus as a part of this celebration.

I have wonderful, fun-filled memories of Santa Claus; the anticipation, the hopefulness, the early morning risings to find loads of gifts. I remember things like "reindeer turds" (kiwi fruit) and getting my first Precious Moments Nativity pieces. I remember going through my brother's stocking and switching his play-dough colors with mine because I wanted to make pink with the red and white. I did these things long after, at the tender age of 4, a classmate revealed there was no Santa Claus. I "believed" because it was fun.

I still love the Christmas specials, but I like Disney cartoons, too. They are both entertaining; not real. And, like Disney or any other cartoon, I find myself very mindful of what message my kids receive when watching these programs. I think Snow Miser and Heat Miser are hilarious, but after seeing that show again, I question the emphasis put on Santa being the "reason for the season." Whereas, "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" emphasizes the holiness of Christmas as the time of year when the world received a gift of "profound love." Even Santa and Mrs. Claus are married in the sight of the Lord.

One year, my husband and I reached a compromise. We hang stockings every year and he likes to pretend they are filled by Santa Claus. I can't say I like it, but this way helps keep the peace...sort of. Mostly I avoid confirming or denying where the goodies come from.

However, I can't bring myself to tell my kids, or even avoid denying, the presents under the tree are from this mystical guy. We work so hard and sacrifice so much to earn a living for our family and God blesses us tremendously. To give that credit to someone who doesn't exist, didn't earn it and certainly doesn't deserve it, is heartbreaking for me.

Then the hard questions come, "Is Santa Claus real, Mommy?" With our first child, I just said, "No, God gives us our gifts." He then believed (and told people) that God came down our chimney on Christmas Eve and brought presents. Too funny! Now, our next child, who struggles so much more with abstract concepts, is asking the question. Nathan wants to allow him to believe and, well...I don't. Our sweet child is finally coming to a point where he believes in God and wants to pray. I don't want to confuse him. So, I argue with my husband, which, admittedly, is just as bad.

Tonight, as I reached out to cyberspace for an answer, I find Christians on both sides of the issue. And, then, as a convicting relief, I read this article, "Santa, Saved and Santified." What I found most startling and true about this article is how we collectively let our guard down this time of year. More importantly, this author conjectures, and I think, rightly, that the global embrace of "Father Christmas" proves the desperate need this world has for "Our Heavenly Father"...Abba.

So, this author through his gentle firmness, ministered to me through Santa. I don't want this time of year to be fraught with contention over "to Santa or not to Santa". Do I, in the depths of my black and white view of things, like to compromise on this issue? No. Of course, not. Are we teaching our children the Truth about the "profound love" of this season? Yes. Most definitely. Is there an emphasis on Santa or Jesus? Certainly, we emphasize Christmas as the birth of Jesus, have a birthday party for Him, and remember that He humbled Himself for us. Truly, our home is filled with worship at Christmastime. This year, though, maybe Santa can worship with us.