Santa vs. Jesus: Is it a real battle?
Last week at Life Group, a parent asked other parents what they tell their kids when it comes to Santa Claus. We all shared as well as what we were taught when we were kids.
There is always a lot of talk about Santa on Tv and at school from other kids. There also a lot of talk on radio and blogs about this seemingly battle between embracing Santa and covering up Jesus, or “killing” Santa in order to keep Jesus at the center.
What do you do as parents? Is Santa versus Jesus a real battle? In one sense, I don’t think it is. I mean with America always finding more and more politically correct reasons not to have “Merry Christmas” signs hung on public buildings, not calling Christmas break Christmas break, but Winter break and the list goes on and on, I’ll embrace letting my kids watch “Santa Claus is coming to Town”, “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer”, and “Frosty the Snow Man.”
Most of us don’t think twice about hanging a Christmas tree up or hanging candy canes upside down (they were created to display as a “J” for Jesus, but turn it upside down and use it as a hook). We have the ability to embrace some traditional festivities as well as put Jesus in the center. We also have the ability to take the easy road of letting Santa create all the excitement and leave Jesus on the mantle.
