Lisa Lickel
April W Gardner
elainemcooper
janeteckles
Luther D. Powell
Where’s Your Santa?
Posted by Lisa Lickel on December 7, 2011
Christmas Commercialism
My pastor showed a picture like this during his sermon last Sunday, after he shooed the children away for Sunday School. I wavered between confusion, shock, amusement, guilt, dismay, being creeped out. Even now I’m just not sure about it. Pastor Dave’s point was that we treat Santa too much like God. He used the words of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” to show similarities in what we profess about Christ, and what we expect Santa will do, and I have to admit I was impressed at the eerily similar spin.
Santa might be the only Jesus some kids know. How bad would that be?
Click on the picture to get to the article that goes with it. Or here.
I have had an ornament like this one below for many years. It’s ceramic, colorful, reverent. I remember the first time I saw it, I was entranced. Yes, I thought—that’s it! That’s exactly it.
I was one of those parents who taught my kids that Nicholaus was a real person, and told them his story and the reason we give gifts to others today, to show our great love to each other because of the gift Jesus gave us. If other kids want to believe that Santa Claus brings them presents Christmas morning, they shouldn’t make fun or say anything mean. Someday they’ll learn the truth.
Some kids already know where their presents come from: Social Services or some other charity. No illusions there. The gifts I most want to give the kid whose name I pluck from the giving tree is hope, passion, grit, compassion. I pick out a t-shirt and a couple of toys, and a candy cane with the Christian story of what the stripes mean tied to it. Someone you’ve never met wants to give you a dream, and someone you’ve never met will pray for you, and love you. This anonymous child has a story for sure. Characteristics to add to my file, make up a story about how we influenced each other. Imagination amok—beware, writer on board.
So, what do you believe about commercialism, telling children about Santa, gift giving, enjoying family time, showing love?
One Response to “Where’s Your Santa?”
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Elaine Marie Cooper said
*SIGH* You’re preaching to the choir, Lisa. We, too, told our kids pretty much what you did. We also cautioned them from spoiling it for other kids if their friends believed that Santa really brought their presents to them. We didn’t want to be perceived as those “evil” Christians spoiling their child’s fun. But on the other hand, I could not bring myself to lie to my children. If I “stretched the truth” about Santa Claus, why would they believe me when I taught them about Jesus? I felt that establishing that trust in our word to them was of far greater import than having a childhood fantasy dashed on the rocks of growing up. Thank you for your bold post.