I have so many memories of my boys and Christmas!  One of my most favorites with Eric was the year he was 3 and wanted Melvin the Bird.  Oh my!  I made sure it was the last present he unwrapped.  He was sooooo excited!  He looks at the camera and says “I got Melvin the Bird! Let’s open it, Mommy, okay?”  We had so much fun.  And then there was the year when Brent was 4 and he wanted a power wheels big dump truck.  We would go to WalMart and pray over the box!  Funny thing, I didn’t have the money to buy it, so I taught Brent the importance of giving that year and the week before Christmas, I got an unexpected check in the mail and the truck went on sale!  His face on Christmas morning was priceless!  We always decorated their little trees together, made cookies together, made up dances to Christmas songs, watched Christmas shows and had oh such fun!  I loved their Christmas programs and going to grandma’s house and the joy on Christmas morning.

Before we opened gifts, the first thing we always do is sing Happy Birthday to Jesus.  And on Christmas Eve, my dad would always read the Christmas story to the grandkids and they would act out the scene…Eric was Joseph, Kirsten, my niece, was Mary and Brent was a shepherd.  But there is a way to have Santa Claus and Jesus and not betray the true meaning.

Read the following excerpt from an article by Dr. Stephen L. Swisher – http://www.kcm.org/sites/kcm.org/files/mag_201012_0.pdf

Because of his gentleness, compas­sion and love, and the fact that he always carried a bag filled with candy and gifts whenever he ventured out in public, scores of children followed him around. Due to Nicholas’ status with local citizens, Roman officials often sought his advice in matters of state. The influence he gained allowed him to work for the underprivileged and powerless, and in so doing he rose to the position of cardinal.

Yet what ultimately made him a legend was his love of children. As he grew older, he used more and more of his funds to purchase gifts for children. Giving toys or candy to little ones, Nicholas told stories of Jesus and the gift He had given through His death on the cross and subsequent res­urrection. Then Nicholas would add, “Jesus loves little children, and He loves you.” Through these gifts, many began to under­stand the full measure of their salvation. Nicholas’ acts of service were so great that when he died, others picked up where he left off. Over time, the legend of Nicholas of Myra grew, and hundreds of churches were named after him.

I learned of the REAL St. Nicholas when my boys were about 4 and 7 years old.  I was thrilled!  Thrilled that  I could incorporate the REAL meaning of Christmas, yet let them have fun with Santa!  Here is what I did:  We sat down and I told them I wanted to tell them about the REAL Santa Claus.  I told how he was born to missionary parents and that he loved Jesus with all his heart.  How he saved  a young woman from being sold into slavery for her father’s debts by “waiting until night and throwing a bag of gold into an open window” , which actually enabled the family to live for an entire year.  That to celebrate Jesus’ birthday, since we couldn’t give a gift to Jesus, we would give gifts to each other because Jesus loved us that much.  I said then he died.  (Brent, wide eyed said he did???)  I said yes.  And now when we see Santa Claus at the mall, it is a reminder of the man who loved Jesus and wants us to celebrate His birthday by giving gifts to each other – to remind us that the greatest gift was Jesus Himself. 

I then said – as for Rudolph and the North Pole and elves, etc., that is all cartoon fun stuff and we can play and have fun with that!  They loved it!  This way, I kept the meaning of Christmas true in their hearts and didn’t have to fabricate a thing. 

We still went to the mall and sat on Santa’s lap and watched Rudolph and all the fun stuff kids like to do – it was ok because we walked in truth.

Isn’t it like the enemy, to take the real St. Nicholas, and pervert the story, water it down and shove it into history books until “men” attribute the miracles he performed in Jesus’ Name to myths.  The man who gave his life, to serve others in Jesus’ name, even raising the dead, has been watered down to a fat jolly man who flies through the air – something that when a child is older, will never believe and wonder – what else did you tell me that wasn’t true…..I’ve never seen Jesus either and He’s going to come back in the sky one day?  Sure mom.

Truth. Truth brings peace.  Truth brings understanding.  I love Christmas and I love very reason we have Christmas – to celebrate the birth of our saviour.  At our home, Santa bows his knee to Jesus – it was the way he lived his life, and it is how he would want his memory to be honored.

So, Merry Christmas!  Enjoy your children!  Take them to see Santa Claus and tell them what Santa represents to us – a reminder that it is Jesus’ Birthday and we give gifts to each other in HIS honor.  What a mighty God we serve!  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace and good will toward men!