Santa Untethered

Santa Claus and I have a different relationship now that I am an adult. 

Yes, there was once a "real" St. Nicholas, or several of them. However, even the stories about the historical figures are traditions and legends. The point is, Santa--under any name or dress--long ago became a symbol or persona. His persona is often and easily untethered from deeper, valuable meaning.

 

With that in mind, you could let him go...entirely...into the hands of merchandizing and entertainment. Or, you could do what Christians have been doing with old Nordic traditions, yule logs, evergreens, and candlelight all along. Reappropriate Santa's image for your family, or choose better ones. Martin Luther, the Reformer, is thought to have favored a spiritual visitation and blessing from the Christ Child (or Christkindl', aka Kris Kringle).

 

For me, with the stories and traditions that have grown around him, Santa may be more important, more "real," and valuable to me than when I was a kid. I sometimes miss my innocent childhood acceptance, rarely, but I wouldn’t trade it for the deeper spirit and beautiful truths that Santa brings to me as an adult, especially as a father. One of my favorite images that I will show my boys is Santa, with his hat off, praying at the manger scene.

 

So, I'm not going to push you to set your children down to immediately tell them the whole truth, nor would I encourage you to use craft to carefully guard the Santa-secret. If they flat-out ask, they're ready, and you can tell them. Then, tell them what Santa means to you, and what he doesn't mean to you. Give them a few options on what to do with Santa now that they know, and let them. 

 

My oldest asked earlier this year. He was proud of himself that he had already "figured it out." Now, he's having fun planning what he's going to leave for Santa instead of the usual cookies and milk, knowing that I'm the one who's supposed to eat it! Heh, dream on, kid. Then, he surprised me by saying that there are probably lots of things that we've done for him that he never realized.

There is truth and meaning in story. Even "facts" speak for more than themselves. Personally, I was gullible enough to believe in Peter Pan when I first heard about him (which leads to a story I'm not going to tell). I soon learned the difference between "fiction" and "non-," but still I hold onto the sense of "magic" and meaning behind the surface of life. Call it "belief." You can feel the connection between an atom and the universe, or between an apple and the starving child who ought to be biting into it. Stories can connect things like this, and they can sometimes motivate us to live different, or to take action.

 

C'mon. Has the story of Santa ever changed a life, or saved a life? ...Hmm. You know what? I'd bet it has. So, no, don't let Santa crowd Christ out from Christmas. He wouldn't want that. The place of Santa's story is serving, giving, kneeling and worshiping. Ah: like as an example!