I felt compelled to share this because I have gotten some dirty looks when people find out that my kids don’t believe in Santa. I am a little surprised that it actually offends people that we don’t make our kids believe in him.
I grew up believing in Santa. It was fun. I also remember it still being fun after I found out he wasn’t real. What I have come to realize is that my family doesn’t need Santa.
My oldest child is 8. We did the Santa thing every year until now. No one told him Santa isn’t real, he just knows. I really feel like it’s because we’ve always tried to make Christmas more about Jesus than Santa. So, we’ve decided this year to omit Santa from our family Christmas. I have a 3 and 4 year old who know Santa when they see his face on TV, in books or inside the mall but they know he’s just a story. What is REAL to my kids is the story of Jesus. They know that the greatest gift of all does not come Christmas morning from Santa or mommy and daddy. All 3 of my boys know that Jesus is the one true gift. Do they still want every toy they see advertised for Christmas? Of course! They are kids.
We will continue to lay the foundation of Jesus in our home with our children.
Now, none of this means that I will turn my nose up at families who leave milk and cookies for Santa. Or families who have that cute little elf doing mischievous things at nighttime. I think these things are fun for kids! But I also do not feel like my kids are missing out on the fun either. My kids have lots of fun. We are creating our own traditions with our kids. I pray that they will carry these traditions on with their families. If they choose to have Santa a part of their family one day, so be it. But I pray that they will have the foundation of Christ in their home as well. That is most important to me. That we teach our kids to love Christ more than what this world offers. I truly believe that we are choosing to let the influence of the world overshadow what really matters. Santa doesn’t matter when you consider eternity. Nothing matters, except the Gospel of Jesus. I heard someone say recently that somebody they knew was doing elf on a shelf and Santa in their home but they were incorporating Jesus as well. Since when are we supposed to incorporate Jesus? Isn’t it ALL supposed to be about Jesus?
So, in the midst of the hustle and bustle of this holiday season, stop for a moment and assess what really matters. My prayer is that everyone will make this Christmas season all about the ONE true King. I pray that if you have Santa as part of your family Christmas, that you will take the time to teach your children that Jesus is more important than the gifts that Santa brings.
And unlike Santa, who has a naughty and nice list, GOD does not. God loves us unconditionally. GOD IS SOVEREIGN. Teach your children that.
Merry CHRISTmas!!
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