Category: reflections

There’s an interesting discussion going on at emergent village about whether Christian parents should teach their children about Santa Claus or not.

As someone who believed in Santa growing up, I’ve always looked upon the idea and nostalgia of Santa with great fun memories. My granddad has always played up the hopes and dreams of Santa’s spirit and continues to even to this day. I’ve often given gifts addressed from Santa rather than my own name. And perhaps it’s that spirit of anonymous/mysterious giving that attracts me most.

I’ve feel like I’ve had a healthy understanding of Santa from my parents and I think that their teaching and upbringing have helped me to have a healthy understanding of “things” as well.

So, what’s the proper response and approach for future (or current) parents — (not that we’re expecting any children anytime soon)?

My kids (ages 3, 3, 1.5) are right on the precipice of imagination: scratchy monsters, dinosaurs, and talking wolves are all becoming characters in our everyday lives. That’s great, but what should I tell them about Santa?

It’s not just that if rearranged, the letters in his name spell Satan, though such a coincidence should give us all pause (just kidding). It’s more the race and class dimensions of Santa’s identity and his social role. Should we really encourage children to project their material aspirations onto an idealized white man? As a full-time working woman, I don’t want my own hard work, income generation, present-purchasing and gift-wrapping to not only be entirely discredited, but all attributed to a benevolent white man. And I also don’t want to encourage my children to associate material wealth, kindness and generosity, and feasting with whiteness and maleness.

Here are my comments ::

We’re not parents yet, but we’ve had discussions about what we might do about Santa Claus when that time comes. I don’t think we’ve come to a firm conclusion yet.

I heard some great stories this weekend on Travel with Rick Steves about how many other cultures celebrate Christmas and the holiday season (http://www.ricksteves.com/radio/streaming/program117a.asx).

What intrigued me most were the several countries who celebrate St. Nicholas Day on the 6th of December – and that’s when their children receive gifts. There are variations of this as well – and in Sicily, they receive gifts on All Saints Day (Nov 1) from dead relatives (creepy).

But it seemed like all cultures left the gifts to other dates and then celebrated Christmas on Dec 24-26 with church services and family. The gifts weren’t part of the picture.

So, what if we too celebrated St. Nicholas Day on Dec 6th and used it as a day to remember the saint (and other saints) who gave all they had. And we gave small gifts to our children on those days in remembrance of the saint. And then on Christmas morning, rather than rushing to open presents – we bundled up as a family and found ways to serve others – giving of our SELVES.

Another idea we’ve had is to take from the Jewish tradition of Hanukkah and give a small gift on each Sunday of Advent and then give a slightly larger one on Christmas morning.

What are some other creative ideas? What are you doing? What have you considered doing? Is it something to even be concerned with?