The Santa tradition: Naughty, or nice?

I’m a parent of two little boys, and a proud Santa supporter. He and I go way back.

He first pulled through for me during the Christmas of '89 when, against my mother's instructions, I looked in the back of our van and discovered the Christmas stash. When Mom found out, she vowed to return everything, explaining that “if I wanted any toys for Christmas, I’d better be really good for the next few days and maybe Santa would bring them.”

Sure enough, on Christmas morning, Santa pulled through and every present my mom had taken back was under the tree.

I love Santa.

That’s why as an adult, I’ve been shocked at how bitter some have become about the big guy.

For those of you that aren’t familiar, there are two different kinds of Santa haters:

The first group uses Santa as the poster boy for the slogan “we need to return to the true meaning of Christmas.” It’s a friendly message, intended more to elevate Christ than destroy Santa.

The second group, however, is much more aggressive.

A good friend shared his thoughts on the matter this way: “Santa doesn’t come to our house. He would, but we’ve made it a point not to lie to our kids,” later adding, “but it’s OK if he comes to your house!”

Now, before you gather your kids to break the news, let me tell you that I’m still in favor of Santa, and here’s why:

As much as anyone, I want my kids to know that Christmas is about Jesus’ birth. Contrary to popular belief, however, Santa is a great way for kids to learn that. Think of what Santa does: He fills children around the world with hope and excitement, then miraculously delivers a gift to everyone on Earth.

Isn’t that exactly what the birth of the Christ is all about?

And let's not forget his constant encouragement to be good. I’ve never been better behaved than the Christmas of '89. Could that really be all that bad of a thing?

Now as for the lying, for those of you who are stalwartly opposed to Santa on these grounds, let me throw you a bone. I had a neighbor whose child believed in Santa far beyond the typical age. When his classmates began to tease him for it, they decided to sit him down, and set him straight. He was crushed, proclaiming through the tears, “What else have you been lying to me about?! Is the Bible a lie, too?”