This Santa?
Christmas is coming! Parents, how will you approach the Santa thing this year?
If taught right, Santa can be a springboard for reinforcing young minds with the true meaning of Christmas. After all, there was a real Santa Claus.
Starting at a young age, Linda and I taught our kids about the real man behind the legend. Nicholas of Myra was born in 280 AD. His parents died when he was a boy, and he inherited a great sum of wealth. Early on, he devoted himself to God and to serving Jesus. He grew up to become a pastor in modern day Turkey, and gave away all of his wealth to help the poor — especially children. When he was persecuted and imprisoned for his faith, he shared his meager provisions with other inmates. He gained a reputation for giving both out of his abundance, and then out of his poverty. He believed that giving to the needy was the same as giving to Jesus (Matt. 25:40). His example sparked a tradition of giving to commemorate the birth of Jesus.
St. Nick was a real person who left for us a wonderful example. But I think he would be horrified to know he became the exaggerated focus of materialism for many children at Christmas.
As Linda and I taught our kids about the real Santa Claus, we also wanted them to hate lying. To us, our integrity was one of the most important gifts we could give our kids. We had an agreement: “We will not lie to you; you are not to lie to us.” I would have had a hard time teaching that if I maintained a story to be true for years while knowing it wasn’t.
As a child, once I learned that the Santa story was only a fable, I began to wonder if the stories about Jesus were fables as well.
Though I believed in Santa Claus as a child, and my children pretended the legend but knew its roots, I did not enjoy Christmas more than them. We focused on giving to others, not getting from Santa. I think they enjoyed it more because they got excited about the “giving projects” we did together. We really tried to make Christ the centerpiece of His birthday celebration, and in that way we believed we were passing on to our kids a heritage more valuable than any fun that make-believe can provide.
As parents, you have the obligation teach what is right for your family. Pray about this issue and be sincere in how you believe the Lord is leading. His way is always the best way!
Then establish Christmas traditions in your family that will focus on Jesus and how His birth provided for us communion with God. Use this holiday season to lead your children in making Christ first place!