On Saturday we had sirens blaring as fire truck and police trundled down our street. No, not a disaster, it was Santa in the fire truck waving and throwing out sweets to the neighborhood children that flocked out to greet him. It happens every year in our neighborhood.
What place does Santa have in the Christian’s Christmas? Does he have a place at all?
In a recent newsletter about writing for children I saw an article about Britain and the new range of comics called Christmas Crackers. These comics feature Santa and snowmen integrated into the Nativity story.
These were not produced by a secular publisher but by church leaders concerned about trying to make the Christmas story “fresh and relevant” to today’s children.
But is this the way to go? What place does Santa have in your Christmas? Does he get a mention? Is he right up there along with the story of Jesus born in a stable?
I know some Christian parents who will not allow Santa any part in their Christmas. Their concern is that when children get older and find out Santa is a myth, they will assign the story of Jesus and the virgin birth to the same category. So, these parents have clearly told their children the Santa idea is something some people like to pretend happens. It is a game of ‘make believe’ unlike the story of Jesus which is true, God given and recounted in the Bible, Matthew 1-2, Luke 1-2, Isaiah 9:6-7 and Isaiah 60:1-3.
Others are happy to incorporate Santa as one part of the whole Christmas traditions of Christmas decorations, gifts, Christmas trees, etc. These people will likely encourage children to hang stockings up, write letters to Santa and leave snacks out for Santa and his reindeer.
Still others try and assign Santa a minor role in the Christmas festivities, which is not easy given that the world seems intent on making Santa the focus of Christmas.
Is the church in danger of heading the same way? The reasoning behind the UK Church leader’s producing the Christmas Cracker comics that incorporate Santa into the Nativity story, because they are concerned that many children today do not know the real Christmas story – i.e., the birth of Jesus. Times story
I admit I have serious doubts about the wisdom of this approach of bringing Santa and the biblical Christmas story together. Do you think they belong together? Or should they be kept completely separate? What do you think?
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