I love Christmas and I'm really enjoying the decorating and present buying and excited children we're living with around here. But I must admit, I have one tiny problem dampening my otherwise idyllic season: I have Santa Claus issues.
Not that I have anything against Santa personally; I have no terrible childhood memories of scary department store Santas nor did I ever feel betrayed by my parents when I found out he wasn't real. It is just an awkward subject to think about discussing with my children. Honestly, I'd rather they asked me about sex than Santa - at least then I'd know what to say.
Everyone has their own reasons, but the reason WE celebrate Christmas is to remember the birth of the Christ, we give gifts partly because it is traditional, but mostly because we want to remember the most precious gift ever given to all mankind, our Savior. How does that fit with the idea that Santa will only bring you presents if you are good? Christ's love is unconditional, and since we're giving gifts in remembrance of Him. . . well, it just doesn't make sense to me.
The problem is that Ian is in preschool this year. Odds are REALLY good that if I made a point to tell him that Santa is just pretend, he'd tell his whole class and I'd be the bad mother getting angry calls from the other moms. I had decided to just not say anything unless asked directly. Ian's preschool teacher sent home a Santa advent calendar with each of the kids and assured them that Santa would be bringing them presents. Hmmmm.
I'm still not quite sure what to do, but I've sort of decided to let it go. If they ask, I'll explain, if not. . . what harm?
p.s. When Santa showed up at the church Christmas party, guess whose kid was jumping up and down and calling "Mom, Mom! Look who it is!"
Yeah, that's my son.
2 comments:
I hear ya. I am totally anti-Santa, and am not sure exactly how to deal with it. My parents told Maria at a very young age, and while she didn't seem to be upset with it, she did have a very hard time being around her excited friends and not "ruining" things for them. It also made the children's parents nervous.
I don't like the focus being on the "getting" instead of "giving". Also, the lies, that for some people are really elaborate. Oh what a tangled web we weave...
Lindsay,
You have an adorable family and it is great to get a bit more insight about you. I have enjoyed getting to know you through our monthly "book" visits.
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