Everyone has different opinions and many are even quite passionate about this topic. Positions range from trying to keep the kids believing in Santa as long as they can possibly pull it off by writing the kids letters and leaving santa's footprints as evidence around the house... to never mentioning Santa's name and even scorning the jolly ol' elf, considering him evil. I would hold neither of those positions. My point in writing this is not to offend anyone or judge anyone in their "Santa position"...but only to share my thoughts on what our family does.
I grew up believing until my best friend Julie told me I was foolish for believing. I remember seeing Rudolf's red nose in the sky while driving home from Grandma & Papa's Christmas Eve. I remember leaving cookies & milk on the fireplace for santa & even carrots for the reindeer (since mom is such an animal-lover). I remember wonderful Christmas mornings, running down the stairs to find every single gift I wanted for Christmas. I have many wonderful memories & I am grateful to my mom & dad for making those memories for us.
When I first became a Christian (and before kids) I remember thinking that we would certainly not include santa in our Christmas traditions. But as Madison started to get older we were forced to figure out how it would work for our family in a way that the kids would enjoy sweet Christmas memories but never shove off the true meaning of Christmas for false beliefs. Our friends Andy & Paula helped us by sharing what they do for Christmas. They never did or said things to make up stories about Santa but for example when their kids would ask a question like, "How does Santa get into our home since we don't have a chimney?" They would simply ask the child, "Well what do you think?" So through the years our kids are quite aware of the real meaning of Christmas but also enjoy the fun stories about Santa they see on TV. Here was the conversation at our home the other day:
Adrienne: "Matthew, you are going to be put on the naughty list."
Matthew: "There is no such thing as a naughty list."
Me: "Does God have a naughty list?" ..."If He did, we would ALL be on it. Thankfully Jesus died to remove us from the naughty list."
Our desire is that the joy & excitement they feel for Christmas would not only be from seeing family, getting presents, eating cookies, but also from knowing the truth of Christmas...the amazing truth that God came to earth as a helpless baby, humbling himself to come near to all of us...because this very truth is the ONLY thing that can bring lasting peace & joy. So Santa for us...yeah, a little. We have started to created our own memories the past few Christmases. Like cutting our own tree at Linvilla, going to the Christmas concert and Christmas Eve Service at our church, followed by going to Dunkin Donuts in our jammies and driving around looking at all the lights and ending the night by reading the Christmas story from the book of Luke to the kids. I am getting excited just typing it! I'll end with a letter to Santa...
Dear Santa,
We love seeing you at Christmas time. You are happy, jolly and plump. But the 5 happy Roths are sorry. We will not make you the center of our Christmas holiday nor the reason for our joy. For there is One who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. He holds our devotion...not you. So you can continue to make your fun TV shows and movies & we will enjoy them. Thanks for all the memories, but Jesus is the reason for the season!!
Your friends,
The Five Happy Roths
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