It’s Baby Jesus AND Santa Time!
When I put Santa and Jesus in the same paragraph in my post a few days ago, I honestly quivered. It made me stop and think about how we boosted the support of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” to our children since they were infants and could barely see or hear. They learned that a mysterious guy in a red and white suit could see them when they’re sleeping and are awake. He even sees them when they’re good and bad, so we reinforce that they’d better be good….for goodness sake. We even take them to see Santa and encourage them to tell him what they want for Christmas. And, if that’s not enough…..we tell them that he’s coming down the chimney and he’ll show up with their wishes – so they must be sure to leave cookies for him because he’ll be very hungry as he flies in a reindeer-driven sleigh, delivering his gifts to children all over the world. And, to further spoofing our innocent children, many folks will go to their rooftops and make stomping sounds, while they are ringing sleigh bells.
As you just read that paragraph, did it cause your brain to go “TILT”? It sure did mine, because for years I led my own children to believe in the myth of Santa Claus and his reindeer. Not until I became a grandmother did I realize how untruthful I had been to my children. What a shame that their role model — modeled dishonesty. How could I expect truthfulness from my children when I was being untruthful. It’s one thing to encourage imagination and another….outright dishonesty.
Now, as a much wiser woman who thrives on honesty and truth, I look back and think “What were we thinking?” I desire to be 100 percent honest in all my ways, so that those who follow my lead, are led closer to THE LIGHT than are being led astray. Truth is TRUTH – NOT stretching the truth, or “It’s so cute to see those little wide eyes of wonder.”
You may think this is a crotchety ole’ gal’s reality, but, in reality, it’s the closer I get to the Baby in the Manger Who Became my Savior, the more I want to be like Him – full of grace and TRUTH. John 1:14 says “The Word (Jesus) became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and only Son, Who came from the Father, FULL OF GRACE AND TRUTH.”
My little “Holy Family” and sign that says “Born this day, a Savior Who is Christ the Lord” seems like a meager attempt to celebrate THE ONE – that Christmas is really all about. Maybe someone will see it and hopefully it will draw their attention to think about the real Reason for the Season, but no question it’s lost amidst the gigantic Santa inflatables around the neighborhoods. Here’s the truth that MUST be told to our families and especially to our children, from infancy and on. No question that the imagery of jolly old Santa provides many moments of Christmas joy – especially when we’re propping those little ones in his lap for that annual Christmas photo. The mythical Santa was clearly founded in a man who honored Jesus Christ with his life and his possessions. St. Nicholas gave freely of his riches to benefit those who were less fortunate than himself. “Giving” is clearly one of Christianity’s guiding principles in Scripture — to care for the poor.
“Mommy, Is There Really a Santa Claus?” is a question that families ponder each year. I pray you ask for God’s wisdom and how best to explain to them in “grace and truth”. 1 John 3:18 “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in TRUTH.” .And if TRUTH is told – may we give our families a True Story of love, peace, hope, joy, and compassion – the TRUE Christmas Story. What is easier to believe – Santa Claus or that God loved us so much that He sent His only Son to earth as a baby, to a lovely couple and the shepherds and wise men came to see him and when they saw him, they worshiped him because he was the newborn King who would set them free – WHO SET US FREE. Yesterday my pastor said “Christmas IS NOT a holiday. It is a HOLY DAY! May we honor the HOLY One Who really did come to give us the greatest gift — Himself.”