December 15-18, 2007
Its difficult, for me, to keep my mind from wandering down the road that, instead of having Christmas light-decorated houses, is cluttered with the contradictions of the Christmas season. Even though I am definitely one to get wrapped up in the nostalgia of the holidays, I know that the “magic” that I experienced as a child was just that: magic. Likewise, I know that David Copperfield can most accurately be described as an illusionist rather than a magician and that the “magic” that I remember was not really magic at all, but, ignorance.
The groundlessness of the nostalgic, ideal childhood Christmases in my mind is made even more so when juxtaposed against the reality of what the majority of other children in the world were experiencing at the very moment that I was unwrapping my new G.I. Joe motorized tank: the absence of clean drinking water, the absence of enough food for a meal, the pain of cancer, the limitations of muscular dystrophy, and the loneliness of orphanhood. Unlike the diminishing of my childhood ignorance over the years, however, these real human tragedies and their resulting despair have endured and progressed to new levels.
To contemplate this reality, for me, is to experience the disappointment that comes from being let down by the fabricated stories that I now feed my own daughter. My wife and I had considered, briefly, the possibility of not going through with the whole Santa charade with my daughter, but, ended up doing so anyway. Granted, I still enjoy singing and reading about Santa and Rudolph, but, anticipating when and how Julia will learn that he’s not real isn’t something that I enjoy. She’ll be disappointed someday, too.
And what kind of precedent does this set? What is to keep her from thinking that if we lied by telling her that Santa was real, but, he turned out fake, that Jesus is fake, too? That is my biggest fear and it is restrained only by the fact that my life is dependent upon Christ now, even though I spent my first several years thinking there was a Santa.
I’d like to be able to write in an ending paragraph to this post here with some grand conclusion about the best way to handle this at this point, but, the truth is that I haven’t come to one. The significant problems and realities of this world remain, as does the saving grace of Christ that this day is supposedly intended to celebrate (though Christ was not likely born on December 25). I do believe the celebration of the fact that he came is very legitimate and worthwhile and, deep down, I feel like we should be more honest with my daughter. Instead of focusing on Santa and getting we could fully focus on Christ and giving and I could rest knowing that she has and will continue to experience the real joy that comes from helping others in need, especially during the holidays. It would be a holiday tradition that would never disappoint.
One of my brightest new memories of this season, so far, came the other night when my family was out caroling at a local nursing home with a few people from my church. We were really focusing on older members of the church that were in the home, but, another older woman, not a member of our church, invited us to her door to sing for her. She asked that we sing “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” and proceeded to explain to my four-year-old daughter (who was looking at the woman in a puzzled manner) that she didn’t plan on being at the home, but, that sometimes life gives us “bumps in the road,” and that God would help her through.
This was an obviously coherent woman (unlike many residents at the home) facing, undoubtedly, a very difficult and dark time in her life. It is something I can’t really fathom at this point – the idea of living my whole life and then spending the end of my time in a cold, sterile nursing home. But, after we finished stumbling through the song (we weren’t 100% sure of the words at the time) this woman took such care to express to us her appreciation and gratefulness for our visit. I can’t help but to believe that the resulting gratification that I felt from the interaction is just a taste of the real joy that could be experienced if I focused more on the giving aspect of Christmas.
One reason I think that Christ was born the way that he was, in a barn occupied by livestock, is that God wanted us to understand that it is not up to us to climb insurmountable mountains in order to reach some higher level and live up to His high and holy standard. Instead, he came down and into the world as a vulnerable, dependent, homeless child. He taught, healed, sacrificed, suffered, and continues to serve as deliverer of the free and unmerited favor of God.
We do have the opportunity to experience the real joy of Christmas on a daily basis throughout the year by serving those in need. So, maybe the question here shouldn’t even be about whether or not to celebrate the idea of Santa during Christmas, but, instead, how can we do more to help others every day of the year?
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”~Matthew 25:40
m e a n d e r s 
Hey Gracemark…
This was a great post and I too have been there… the dilemma to play or not to play “Santa.” But I think this year more than ever the true meaning of Christmas is really sinking in and your post was a good reminder to remember to extend our hands to those who are less fortunate then ourselves – not only during the season but also throughout the year. Anyway, hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas and God bless! ~Jen
What a wonderful writer you are! I’m sure that you will inspire your students to great heights. You were able to put into words the thoughts that I had when my children were young. Being on the other side of fifty, I can tell you that Jesus shines through all of the tinsel at Christmas. I believe this is so because his lessons are all year long. Your fifth graders are fortunate to have you for their teacher and mentor this year. Thank you for wading through all of the “junk” to teach each and every day. BW
I understand your point completely. We are struggling with that little “lie,” too. However, you have to remember, Santa is only ONE DAY. He brings gifts one night, versus showing your children how to live for the Lord every day of their lives. They will see that special love at church, at home when you pray together, through Bible stories you read, and things they see in the world every day. Santa is one day. Living for God is every day. Your children will see the difference.
I was discussing the Santa thing with some people the other day and had the thought that Santa is a good concept if used appropriately.
I don’t think we need to tell children that Santa is real, but what we can tell them is that we pretend he’s real as part of the emphasis on giving that Christmas is about.
Furthermore, if you think about it, the Santa concept can be used to remind us of the importance of giving without receiving credit for giving. Too often we give in hopes of being recognized and praised for doing so. But giving a gift and putting “From Santa” on it–well, that might actually serve to deflect attention from the identity of the giver to the content of the gift.
And that might make Santa more real than anyone realized was possible.
Merry Christmas, Mark.
as your token athiest fan, i have to agree with you on the idea that “santa” could be the biggest dilemna of the christmas season. we downplay the santa aspect enough that my daughter just doesn’t put that much stock in him. perhaps the absence of a television and a tendency to make all of our presents rather than give in to commercialism helps with this. of course jesus “son of god” isn’t so high on our list either, but his teachings of morality certainly are. we look at christmas as a time to share our love with friends and family. and, yes, we do have the rest of the year to do our best to help others in their needs. christmas is but a day of celebration on how the rest of our lives could be lived.
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