Santa vs. Jesus
This time of year always brings a little tension in my family. Many years of ago when we had our first child, my wife and I had to face the Santa and Jesus dilemma.
Now that may sound stupid to you. But most of us who've grown-up in America were told there’s Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, God, and Jesus. We teach kids they’re all real, but they’re not all real. Eventually our kids will be okay with Santa, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy being cute little white lies, while accepting Jesus and God as completely legit—right? Not really. At least I don’t think so, and it’s something I talk about in my book 10 Things I Hate About Christianity: Working Through the Frustrations of Faith. So Santa is something that my wife and I have spoken about in depth, because ultimately we want to be honest with out children.
Will we tell our kids about Santa?
More importantly, will Santa be the one who gives them their gifts?
On a humorous side-note, it’s funny how many atheists (and some agnostics) have railed me over the years for teaching my kids about Jesus and God—something that can’t be proven. You know, they want to wait to introduce ideas of faith and religion to their kids when they’re old enough to decide for themselves.
Sounds so intellectual and enlightened, right?
But these people have had no problem telling their kids about a fat guy sliding down the chimney with a sack full of gifts and eating the cookies and milk, his elves, flying reindeer, and somehow doing this at midnight in every home all around the world. What's with that? Do I have a problem with the story of Santa? Not at all. We’re not Grinches. We tell our kids the story of the real Saint Nicholas. But we’ve decided that’s where it stops. Sorry Santa. No cookies for you at the Berggren home.
It's not always easy. Just yesterday our middle child (who is 5) confessed that he told a friend at school that day that Santa isn't real. Of course, this is something we have coached our children not to do extensively. So we reprimanded him.
This issue may not be a big deal to you, and I understand. For us, this all came together when our oldest was about three. Like most, he was still enamored by the story Santa. We had to explain it again.
We said, "Santa is just a story like the other stories we read at bedtime about Superman, Mickey Mouse, or Gossie and Gertie."
And when he added "...and Jesus and the Bible!" we were floored. Now, I'm sure there are some (that don't believe in God) that love the fact my son made that connection. But for us, Jesus is real and we explained that to him all over again.
So there is a little dynamic about our family and Christmas. I'm sure you have some funny family dynamics as well. It's what makes life interesting.
*Some of this has already appeared in my article 10 Things I Hate About the Holidays.
Hi Jason,
I find that on most of what I've seen you say I'm neutral to agreeable. But on this one I have to disagree. First, let me ask about your own childhood experience. Did you grow up thinking of God and Jesus in the same category as Santa and the Easter Bunny? When you found out that there was no Santa, did that cause you to question God?
In my experience when parents tell a kid about Santa, there's a difference in emotional tone from when they talk about God. Santa is more light-hearted and "fun". Talks about God tend to be more deep and serious. I think most kids will already notice a difference, even if they don't articulate it.
Santa as a myth-figure is the personification of the spirit of giving. I don't think that's a bad thing. (Modern attempts by commercial society to turn him into the "spirit of buying" is something else again).
In "The Lion, the WItch and the Wardrobe" C.S. Lewis has th eSanta figure Father Christmas appear as a sign of the weakening of the Witch's power. The Narniaweb Wiki says "But Lewis' inclusion of a Father Christmas figure who is subservient to Aslan, the Christ-figure in the series, is a classic example of Lewis' belief that all myths ultimately glorify the Creator."
The article is at:
http://wiki.narniaweb.com/index.php/Father_Christmas
For another positive (and very moving, IMO) view of Santa, here's a link to the original "Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus". I think this should be a "must read" for those concerned about this issue.
-Steve
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Steve,
Thanks for the thoughts. I never said I had a problem with Santa. In fact, I said we tell our kids about the true Santa story (Saint Nicholas).
And I would say yes, I did correlate Santa, God, and Jesus as a child. Although I did not grow up in a Christian home, be it neighbors or the the standard church attendance for Christmas, Easter, marriage, or funerals, they were mythic ideas that a related to each other.
I love CS Lewis. I am not threatened by the idea of Santa Claus. It does not scare me. I'm am not worried about it. I am simply making a philosophical statement regarding truth and myth in regards to raising my children. And I do other things to inspire my kids imaginations and spirit of generosity.
Peace!
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Oops!
The link to "Yes Virginia..." is here:
http://www.newseum.org/yesvirginia/
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No problem. Sorry for the misunderstanding.
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No worries. I enjoy the dialogue!
I guess I would also add that I am just not willing to risk my kids perception of the reality of God on tonal variances of my voice.
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Oh. I probably wasn't clear. I didn't mean tone of voice, but tone of feelings.
To me the mood when Santa is mentioned is something like planning a surprise party - you are engaging in deception, but it's in good-natured fun for the benefit of the "victim". A discussion of God, on the other hand, would be more like planning a wedding. Everything in a mood of reverence appropriate to the awesomeness of the matter.
-Steve
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Cheers to the author for giving me some solid ideas
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There is a difference in emotional tone from when they talk about God. Santa is more light-hearted and fun. Talks about God tend to be more deep and serious. I think most kids will already notice a difference, even if they don't articulate it.
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