What are we, as Christians, supposed to do with Santa? There are many theories, but this being my blog, I’ll share mine.
I did not grow up believing in Santa, so the idea of teaching my children that a large man comes down the chimney carrying presents seems rather foreign. I know some people gave my parents a hard time, but I think I’m a well-adjusted adult despite that lack of fantasy in my life.
So what am I doing about Santa? I’ve explained to my kids that there is a big game everyone plays in December. We pretend about Santa, Rudolph, Elves, and Snowmen that come alive. The key is – there is no Santa for real, and I tell them that, but because of the game, we are not to tell anyone that he is not real. This keeps them from spilling the secret to other kids on the playground.
It’s a part of December that I touch on very briefly, and they have an answer to strangers who ask, “What did Santa bring you for Christmas?” But most importantly, we spend the majority of our time in December focused on the Greatest Gift from the Greatest Giver.
What to do with Santa? Have Lee do the following:
1. Get a plug-in, light-up Santa
2. Attach a propane tank to it
3. Show the kids how Santa “goes up” to the chimney.
Or…
…stick with what you are doing and tell your kids it is a story, because that’s honest and creative. However, kids should believe in elves, if for no other reason than to prepare for a lifetime of making fun of them.
I love the picture pf the “shooshing Santa”. Perfect.