While the secular world is all about Santa Claus because of the rampant consumerism he represents and many in the Church urge us not to put so much emphasis on ole Saint Nick because Jesus should be the true focus of the season, I have a different take on the matter. I believe that Santa Claus is an integral and vital part of the holiday. I do agree that Christmas has lost much of its intended meaning for most of the populace and Santa Claus has played a significant role in its degradation, but only because people have taken him out of the context of his true existence. Rather than a saint who delivers gifts to poor and needy children to bring joy into their lives, he has been twisted by the media into an icon of gluttony and greed. But this is not true for everyone. Some children, likely many children, still view Santa Claus as a magical, mysterious being who comes once a year to bring them a gift they truly long for. My father was a rotund man with a white beard by the time he was 50. He loved to tell the story of the time he was in the airport, and this little girl sitting nearby kept sneaking glances at him and whispering to her mother. Finally, with a modicum of chagrin, the girl’s mother said, “She thinks you’re Santa Claus.” Without missing a beat, he asked if she would like to sit on his lap and tell him what she wanted for Christmas, which she immediately did. Despite the many reasons to doubt his existence, children believe. They believe that he receives their letters at the north pole, that he is able to visit every child on the planet in one night, even that he has flying reindeer. Question them about it and they can explain it all with such certainty that even the most curmudgeoniest heart could start to believe as well. This is the epitome of faith. Furthermore, while some parents push the naughty or nice list bit in an effort to get their children to behave, in my house, Santa came whether I deserved it or not. And this, I think is the salient point. Santa Claus is Christ in a kid friendly form. Or he should be. The concept of Christ as savior and the Grace of God is difficult for children to grasp, but Santa bringing presents not because they deserve them but because they are loved is something they can connect with. Teaching this has the potential to lay the foundation for a more profound and deeper understanding and faith later in life. Therefore, I say let Santa live in the hearts of children. When they begin to question, explain that he does certainly exist, just not the way the movies and cartoons show him. He exists wherever there is love for love’s sake. Wherever a child receives a gift because they are loved by another person, Santa is there. He may not appear as a fat man in a red suit. His visage may be that of a mother or father, a teacher who picks a child off the angel tree, a volunteer for the Toy Convoy or Toys for Tots, or any number of other disguises. Then again, you might just see him wearing beard and suit at the airport. You never know.
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