As Christmas approaches, I wonder what my kids think the season is about. I want to have the most emotionally healthy, excited children when it comes to Christmas. They deserve so much happiness. I never want to take any from them or destroy their wonderment for the season.
Everywhere you look when you’re out shopping, you see a jolly, happy man representing the joy that comes from a happy child. He’s always beaming happily.
But when you go to church, you see manger scenes with a mother doting on her baby.
Some moms I know tell their kids that Santa isn’t real; that Jesus is the reason we celebrate, and that their parents buy them presents. I understand the need to not give credit to Santa and to cut down on the commercialism that comes with this season, but it seems harsh to me. I respect it, but I don’t think that’s the way I’ll ever go.
Then I know one mom that loves Santa. She’s not religious but she loves the holidays. She decorates more than anyone I know. I’m not sure about this direction either.
Right now, my boys love Santa and Jesus. They know we’re celebrating Jesus’ birth. They also believe Santa brings us presents because it’s Jesus’ birthday. I love how excited they get using my telescope to find Santa. I love how they practice singing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus.
I really struggle with this. I’ll probably never tell my kids anything negative about Santa. We’ll probably keep writing letters to him until the year they grow out of it. They even want to get him a present this year.
Maybe one day, I’ll laugh and tell stories about how they saw Rudolph and Santa in the sky. But for now, I’ll let them be happy little boys.
What do you tell your children about Santa?
