Sometimes I Write

I’ve been reading about Santa on a few other blogs. The debate continues so I might as well contribute my two cents worth. Like my friend Jared, I wasn’t allowed the pleasure of living in the fantasy world where a jolly man in red came down my chimney to leave me presents for being a good girl. My mom had been devastated when she learned that her parents had lied to her about Santa all those years and she decided to project her fears on me and my brothers. (I forgive you Mom.);) She has always told us that there was no Santa, so I was confused and a little dumbfounded the Christmas we were all at my grandma’s house and my mom and Uncle had a fight because I made his daughter cry when I told her there was no Santa Claus and that our parents bought all the presents. I thought everyone knew – I just didn’t know any better. My mom’s lesson was a good one – always tell the truth – but a little sad to me as an adult when I watched the magical wonder in the face of a child we loved as he opened his gifts. I vowed then to let me kids believe – even for a little while.

Fast forward to married with children. Benny and I had to decide what we would tell our kids. We wanted to mix our upbringings a bit and form our own traditions. We decided we would open gifts from each other on Christmas Eve, and Santa would come after we were all asleep and leave a single, unwrapped gift for each child under the tree. You see, Santa has no need to wrap gifts because he and his helpers took special care in getting something very special for each child and it would only be under the tree a short time. On Christmas morning we would wake up to see what Santa had brought and spend the day being thankful for what we receive, especially the ultimate gift of Jesus.

Backing up a bit, I was also raised to NOT celebrate Jesus at Christmas time. Chalk that up to some very legalistic teaching from the church I grew up in. Their stance was that it was wrong to celebrate Jesus’ birth on a day that we couldn’t be sure was the actual day he was born. They also believed it wasn’t his birth that we should celebrate, but his death and resurrection. (Common sense would dictate that you can’t die if you’re never born, duh!) It was a very confusing message to me growing up – we should celebrate Jesus every day but the one the world celebrates Him on. what??? Talk about taking Christ out of CHRISTmas!

I also have a friend who thinks that talking about Santa at Christmas will make kids think that since Santa is a myth and we talk about Jesus at Christmas, maybe he’s a myth too. Again, I say what??? The thought never occurred to me. I don’t think there is any comparison between Santa and Jesus, and the distinction is real to my kids as well. I guess I could see that happening if you only talk about Jesus at Christmas time, but Jesus lives at our house year round – so it’s not an issue. LOTS of my friends who are parents struggle with what to tell their kids. I get that. So what do we do? Sing carols about snowmen that come to life and sleds pulled by flying reindeer, or carols about the best news that came to earth. It’s the difference between fantasy and reality – and I believe both are o.k. when you can differentiate between the two. (I’m also a Harry Potter, LOTR, Narnia fan too – for the same reasons…I know the difference between the two and can enjoy both.)

Max is seven years old. Last week we had the Santa talk. He brought it up. Our conversation went something like this: (Me in Blue)

Mommy, is Santa Claus real?
What do you think?
(smiling) If I tell you what I think, do you promise to tell me the truth?
Yes.
I think he is.
O.K. then.
Well?? Are you going to tell me the truth?
Max, I always try to tell you the truth.
What would you say if I told you that Popa and I are Santa?
You mean you guys buy all our presents?
(I nodded yes) How do you feel about that? Are you o.k. with that?
Yeah, I guess so.
Max, we let you kids believe in Santa because it’s fun to think about magical things and the possibility of a man loving children so much that he wants to bring them toys and give them good things. That’s why Popa and I play Santa every year – we want to give you good things. But you know that’s not WHY we celebrate Christmas, right?
(rolling his eyes at me) YES! I know, it’s because Jesus was born, right?
Right. Don’t tell your brother and sister about us being Santa, o.k.? They’ll be old enough to talk about this soon enough. Let’s let them believe a little longer, o.k.? Did you know there really was a man named Nicholas who brought toys to children a very long time ago? We could look up some information about him if you want to.
Yeah. Who eats the milk and cookies we leave for Santa?
Your Popa does.
Can I stay up late on Christmas Eve and help you guys? I could be Jr. Santa and eating the cookies could be my job…can we do chocolate chip this year?
Hey! Are you guys the Easter Bunny too?
Yep…and the Tooth Fairy.
Then where are all my teeth?

And the conversation went on and on…;) That’s the way things roll around here. We’re doing some new things for Christmas this year as well. We have a kit called, “What does Jesus want for Christmas?” It’s a little nativity set and has activities you can do with your kids. It’s pretty cool. We also decided to practice Advent this year and join the many others who spend time looking forward to the coming of Christ. Each parent has to decide what they want to do and not cave so easily to what others think, celebrate, or shun.

So, yes Max – there is a Santa Claus…me. Hey, I have the name for it. My first name is Nikalas (pronounced Nick-uh-lus) and my last name is Nowell (which is pronounced Now-ull, like Powell with an N) BUT, it was pronounced as Noel in old English – and in many of the old hymnals, as in “The First Nowell (Noel)” Seriously, I can’t make this stuff up…look it up.

Let me add one more thing. My kids got to BE Santa today. We delivered Christmas gifts to children who are part of the Angel Tree program.