Most of us probably still recall the time when we found out that Santa Claus, Rudolph, and the elves all playfully building and making toys in the frozen north pole weren't real. It was disappointing to know that the fantasy was no more than a tale only because the fantasies and stories were memorable and fun ones that we all looked forward to every Christmas morning.
Some parents, most especially those with the Christian faith, would say that that moment of disappointment, the realisation that Santa Claus is nothing but a legend, should have come at an earlier time. Others, also of the faith, will say it doesn't matter.
The heart and core of Christmas has and always will be Christ such that even when some things are missing, there is still cause for cheer.
The same is true for any other part of the year. Jesus plus nothing equals everything.
Should we even talk about Santa to our kids this season? I leave that to you, but here are a few things that we should be talking about more than Santa and all the gifts and toys this Christmas.
1. Eternal Gifts
In Matthew 6:19-20, Jesus says, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust[a] destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal."
There's nothing wrong with all the gifts, celebrations and paraphernalia as long as they don't keep us from the true gift given through Christ: eternal life and peace with God. Do the times we talk about Jesus and His gift to all mankind trump the times we talk about earthly celebrations?
2. Hope in Christ
The hope that Santa brings is temporal and lasts only as far as winter, but the hope found in Christ goes on for eternity. As parents, our goal is for our children to put their hope, faith and devotion in God and His wonderful commands and promises instead of putting their hope in material and earthly things.
Sometimes we don't have to avoid the Santa Claus conversation, but we can definitely overshadow it with the much more glorious story of Christ and the hope He brings.
3. Bringing Cheer to Others
This year was the first time I brought my daughter to participate in an annual tradition I have built of starting Christmas with an opportunity to give to the underprivileged. It didn't make sense to her right away why I had bought so much goodies and treats but none of it was going to her. But she's slowly understanding that Christmas isn't just about getting but also giving, whether it's to the poor or even to the family and friends around you.
