At first, I was completely opposed to the idea. Santa was part of my childhood! It made the holiday so magical! But the more I pondered about the idea, the more I knew he was correct. My wonderful parents tried so very hard to keep Christ in Christmas, but my little brain seemed to phase out that part. When think back to past Christmases all I really remember is my holiday revolving around Santa, elves, reindeer, and everything that comes with it. I don't want that.
I want my children to be focused on Christ. I want the emphasis to be on giving, not receiving. I want them to be well behaved and polite because that's the example set by Christ, not because they get something in return. I hear it all the time, "if I do this, what do I get?" We live in world that is always saying give me, give me, give me. That leads to selfishness, pride, and the unkindness we see every day. In my opinion it's wrong. Why does there have to be a reward for doing good things?
Another reason for our decision is we remember how heart broken we were when our parents told us the truth about Santa. I remember looking at my mom and saying through my tears, "but how do you afford it?" It changed Christmas for me. I wasn't as excited as before. I started to be more grateful after that. I don't want our children to have to go through that. I don't want the feeling of knowing I'm lying to my children either even if it's for something good.
As I was shopping recently I passed by a sweet lady ringing her bell for Salvation Army donations. She smiled at me then turned to a woman on her other side with a cart full of toys and said, "Merry Christmas!" The woman's reaction shocked me. She turned around, glared at the sweet bell ringer, and said, "Excuse me!?" I felt so awful as the lady stammered a faint "Happy Holidays" out and the woman nodded then walked away. That got me thinking some more about the spirit of Christmas and why it's celebrated. I understand not everyone celebrates Christmas. If someone were to look at me and say "Happy Hanukkah!" I wouldn't be offended in the least bit. It saddens me that it's politically correct to say "Happy Holidays" over "Merry Christmas" or call a Christmas Tree a "Holiday Tree". The meaning of Christmas is lost. It's time to put Christ back in Christmas.
I don't think any less of or criticize anyone for teaching their children about Santa. I see both sides and I remember the magic of it as a child. Our children will know who Santa is. We'll watch the classic movies and read the stories, but Santa won't be coming down our chimney. To them it'll be like reading stories of Peter Pan or Cinderella. The imagination of a child will always be there just as it should be.
For this Christmas season I hope we can all give no matter how little we think it may be. I hope we're kind and thoughtful. But most of all I hope we think about our Savior. That's what the season is about.
Merry Christmas everyone!
