Hmmm, Santa.

I do not like Santa. At least, not the commercial Santa. A jolly fat man that magically brings presents? Only to find out when you reach an "adult" age that he doesn't really exist? I've been a major stickler about it since I got married- NO SANTA IN MY HOUSE! I've given in a little (we have some Santa books, and a few Santa-related decorations). But, I've never played up Santa, or wanted the girls excited about him.

Unfortunately for me and my lofty ideals, time, commercialism, public schools, and unwitting strangers have destroyed my hope for my children to grow up without the prevalence of a fictitious character. I don't mind the meaning of Santa. But, I really don't want Christmas to be about the jolly fat man. I want it to be about Christ; His promise of Peace and Hope as we celebrate His birth (even though he wasn't born in December).

We have Family Home Evenings talking about Christ in Christmas. We give presents because we love people- just as Jesus Christ gave the ultimate present to us, whom He loves, and as the Wise Men gave Him presents. We are celebrating His birth, and the hope of the Resurrection.

Then somebody comes up to my daughter(s) and says, "What's Santa going to bring you for Christmas?"

The said daughter(s) give the person an odd look. Huh? Who's Santa? Zoë even called that jolly fat man "Ho, Ho, Ho!" the first two years of her life.

* * * * * * * *

When we went to Fernwood Gardens

to see the beautiful lights, and enjoy the (cold) nature, we came across Santa. Zoë spotted him first, "Look, Dad,! It's the Fake Santa!" she yells across the open area where lots of other children are gathered, eagerly (or anxiously) awaiting their turn to sit on the jolly old man's lap. Travis was mortified. That was the one thing he was worried about: will our kids ruin Santa for everybody else because they don't "believe" in him?

When we got into the house with the Santa, Megan was most willing to follow the suit of the people in front of us. She jumped up into his lap.
The "fake" Santa asked the obligatory question, "Have you been a good girl?" Head nod. "What do you want me to bring you for Christmas?"

My heart sang with joy as I heard my 3-year-old answer, "We get presents on Christmas because that's when baby Jesus was born!"

Sadly, the old man must have had a hearing problem because he did not register that she had not asked for anything. "Sure, that would be great."

Zoë did sit on his lap, but she was scared a bit at first.


Miranda didn't know what was going on.

Yes, I did take pictures, and part of me still feels a little hypocritical. But, then I thought: If I went to Disneyland, would I want to take pictures of my daughters with Cinderella or Mickey Mouse? Yes! Do they know that Fairies are mythical? Jack Frost is a fun story? I am pretty sure they know they aren't real. We read lots of fun fairy stories that include the mischievous and naughty Jack Frost and all the trouble he causes fairies and mortals. But, the girls know this is make-believe, and still they love pretending, playing, and making up their own stories. Megan even asked us, as we were loading up the van to head home, "Oh, Dad! I forgot to ask Santa where his sleigh was!" (I believe this is in reference to the Holly, the Christmas Fairy story we were reading earlier that afternoon).

So, can I do the same with Santa?

Yes, I can. So long as my children understand that Santa is mythical, not real. We can believe in his spirit- that of community, cheer and love, and gift-giving. But, I'm so glad that they know Santa Claus isn't the focus, reason or anticipation of Christmas, but that the whole purpose of Christmas is the Celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

I'll try not to let Zoë or Megan (and someday Miranda) spoil Santa for your children. But if my daughters give an answer like Megan answered Santa, then I'm OK with that.

*Note- I wrote this and then saw that Buffy had written something about Santa.