Last Updated on March 21, 2018
Santa has become something of a conversation piece in our home these days with Christmas right around the corner. Since Bryan and I started having kids, we have been conflicted as to whether or not we were going to include Santa as part of our Christmas celebration. And after much debate, we decided not to celebrate Santa as far as getting gifts were concerned. We still talk about him as though he exists.
The other night our 3-year-old and 5-year-old started talking about it and in comes our 7-year-old who says, very matter-of-factly, “Santa Claus is dead, they just trick us into believing that he is alive and brings us gifts on Christmas.”
Bryan and I looked at each other and just started laughing. Like, How did he know that? and He knows too much for his own good.
We let our kids know that what our eldest had said was true, but we added that Christmas is about Jesus our Savior and most certainly not about Santa. We must understand that Christmas is about giving and celebrating the birth of our sweet Savior, Jesus Christ. And although Santa is a fun story, it is not the true meaning of Christmas.
So, whether as a family you choose to include Santa or not, the most important person to remember is Christ, who entered this world to save the world. He gave His life that we might have eternal life.
Have a very Merry Christmas!
We have approached Santa in a similar way. My children are somewhat incredulous that their friends' parents "do Santa." We have tried to teach them to be sensitive to other families and their differences. For our younger children, we explain that the parents pretend Santa Claus as a sort of game with their children. Some of our children have divulged the Santa Claus secret to their friends a few times. We have to remind them that this isn't thoughtful.
The bottom line is to keep Christ as the main focus of Christmas. That can be a challenge during this busy season no matter what your family does to celebrate.