Believer

It seems like there is a new wave of blogs popping up.  I've run across a couple of them and I'll admit my first instinct is to feel a bit convicted.  

The gist is that as Believers (aka Christians) we are doing our children a dis-service by entertaining the idea of Santa.  I think the well meaning concern is that by trying to incorporate both Jesus and Santa somehow our children will become confused or worse yet they may not believe in Jesus because we lied to them about Santa.  It is all well articulated and sounds good in theory.  I just have one problem with this train of thought....me.  


You see I was raised in a home where Christmas was magical.  Equal parts presents from Santa and a celebration of Jesus' birthday.  And here's the thing, all I remember is that Christmas was magical.    I can also say that I have never once questioned the validity of Jesus based on the fact that my parent's "played" Santa for the first 6 years of my sweet childhood.  Learning the truth was not a traumatic experience for me.  I was ready...I asked...and without any real heartbreak (at least that I can remember) I no longer "believed".  


I would be lying if I said I have not questioned my faith a time or two over the years.  But I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt the fact that Santa was a part of my childhood has never been the reason why.  As I sit here at 30 I know this: I love Jesus with all my heart.  I also think Santa, St. Nick or whatever you want to call the jolly ol' elf is a part of growing up that is sweet, fun and yes just a little magical.  


I'm not looking for a debate or an argument.  It's just my two cents on what comes to mind when I revisit my childhood.  I think it boils down to this.  As an adult looking back at the lengths my parents went to at Christmastime I feel an overwhelming amount of love and gratitude.  While I'm certain this same feeling exists in homes without Santa I know that "believing" as a child has never once caused me to love Jesus any less.


I think the thing that really stands out to me is the hope that my children will grow up grateful and with a deep understanding of who Jesus really is not only during the Christmas season but 365 days a year.  I think Christmas is a perfect opportunity to demonstrate giving to them in a very real way.  It's not always a concept that comes naturally to a 6 and 2 year old but we're working on it!


Carter was reading to me this afternoon from her Jesus Storybook Bible.  We had flipped to the story of Jesus birth and as she read I was thinking about all of this.  My thoughts were interrupted by her voice as she excitedly got the the moment were baby Jesus was born and Mary laid him in the manger.  Suddenly it seemed so simple.  All this worry over whether or not our children will be able to tell the difference between "real" and "fake".  I think it may be just that...worry.  I trust that deep down in her heart she'll know (just like I did) that Jesus is real.  


I'm reminded of the other day when she and I were having a conversation about those little moments when you know somethings not quite right.  At 6 it comes down to things like telling a lie or being mean to your baby sister.  She was tracking right along with me as I pointed out how sometimes we just have that thing in our heart that tells us something is wrong.  I explained that it was Jesus and that He speaks to us in that way.  She piped up with, "Yeah, and when you lay in bed at night He tells you that He loves you."  And in that moment I realize she knows.  She hears His voice.  And that is what it's really all about.  A baby in a manger and that excitement that you feel in your heart just thinking about Him.