She knew that it was a bit silly, being in college and all, but Ashley still put out cookies for Santa. She even put out carrots for the reindeer. Although she did not have the money to fly home to be with her family, she did have enough for cookies, milk, and carrots. Of course, she knew that they would still be there in the morning. Santa was not going to climb down her chimney and reindeer were not going prance on her roof. Nonetheless, putting out the cookies somehow connected this Christmas with all other Christmases before. It was as though in some small way, her family was with her and she was with her family.
When Ashley first told me this story, I had to hold back my initial thoughts. Being one who chose to take a different approach to the American Christian celebration of Christmas with my own family, I thought, “This is ridiculous! She’s a grown woman spending the little money that she has on food for Santa and his reindeer.”
Was this the best that Ashley’s parents could do? In that instant I remembered what my own parents had said – they taught us Santa because that’s how they were taught about Christmas. They knew nothing else. Therefore, for the bulk of December, talk would be about Santa, then for Christmas day, we would read the birth story of Jesus in Luke 2, then spend the rest of the day opening presents that my parents would be paying for for months to come. Perhaps it wasn’t Ashley’s parents that were to blame. Somewhere in time the mysteries of Christ where forgotten and the mysticism of Santa came in.
I began to utter something about her family’s traditions, but then I realized something significant – she was celebrating these traditions not because she believed them, but because they reminded her of home. In this moment, I realized something powerful, what if her parents had celebrated Christmas in a different way? What if, instead, they sang hymns, gave to the poor, spent time in prayer? What if they bought presents for those in need and left them on their doorsteps? What if they meditated on Scripture? What if they celebrated Advent or had a Jesse Tree? What if they baked cookies and took them to nursing homes? Then, perhaps Ashley would have had other things to do once she left the comfort of the warm glow of her fireplace at home.
So, I ask you, in your family, will it be mommy and daddy’s adoration of Santa or of Jesus that will be your legacy? What are you teaching your children with your Christmas traditions? Are they something that will be meaningful when they leave for college? Or will your children find themselves with nothing but carrots and cookies and no one real to share them with?
This is part two of a three part series on Santa:
What? No Santa? Why would you Rob your Children of the Magic of Christmas?!
and check out
Still No Room in the Inn: Telling Kids the Truth about Santa
And for a meaningful alternative to celebrating Santa, here is what we do!
Great Article! We’ve been thinking the same as our daughter is getting closer to talking and being able to start traditions!
Definitely a degeneration issue. When santa started in the 50’s he was a magical extra to Jesus who had been a standard in school, home and church. As one after another of the pillars fell we were left with santa and a connect the dots to those.old enough to remember the reason for the season.
I thoroughly enjoyed this post and your perspective and approach!