I’ve done some personal work to stop myself from using negating talk like, “Don’t cry,” “It’s not that bad,” and “Calm down.” Even though it may make me uncomfortable to see them cry or be angry, it’s important to me that they learn to identify and accept their feelings. How else will they learn to be authentic with themselves and others? If I go to great lengths to deceive my child in the name of “fun” what does that say about what I value most? What kind of example is it? Is having fun a good excuse for lying? Unfortunately, with the exception of the “naughty or nice” aspect, the Santa question does not lend itself to a hard and fast rule. Some will feel that there is enough of a problem to warrant a ban. Others will decide that as long as they handle it wisely, Santa can play a small role in their Christmas. Both can be wise decisions. Christians have the freedom to make their own choices and follow their own consciences, as Paul describes in places like Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 10. Just before Matt Stone and Trey Parker made history with South Park, Fox executive Brian Graden commissioned a Christmas card for the duo to create. The Spirit of Christmas is the very funny and aggressive look at the modern Christmas ideal through the eyes of our favorite foursome form South Park.

A definitive part of having gratitude is recognizing and valuing the kindness of the giver. Santa gets his toys from enslaved elves and magic. Alternatively, the kids could receive gifts based on the kindness of those who love them. Sharing the beauty of this truth gives them a taste of unearned grace and an opportunity to experience genuine gratitude. Contentment I am a practitioner of a modern reconstruction of the beliefs and practices of my Germano-Norse ancestors. Whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, because they love to pray while standing in synagogues and on street corners so that people can see them. Truly I say to you, they have their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6:5-6).For a few thousand years before Christmas humanity celebrated the winter solstice and the yule season. "Christmas" is a mash up of many sacred and wonderful "pagan" (christian term for non-christian) religions, plus christian, jewish and increasingly other modern religions. Saint Nicholas should be recognized and embraced as many entities: the spirit of the solstice and the personification of winter, the christian and patron saint of children, king of the elves and fairies. Just don't reduce Santa to the commercialized present toting caricature presented in hollywood movies and advertising media. Keep him mysterious and magical - he should be understood as a kind of mystery. then there is no conflict with those who want the holiday to be centered on Jesus.

Santa Claus’ is still a wonderful game to play. We may pretend to be Santa and bless the underprivileged, or we can deliver goodies to those we care about. It’s not necessary to choose between the two!

In 1992, Trey Parker and Matt Stone made The Spirit of Christmas (aka Jesus vs. Frosty) while they were students at the University of Colorado. After seeing the Jesus vs. Frosty film in 1995, Fox executive Brian Graden paid Stone and Parker to make another animated short as a video Christmas card that he could send to friends. I also told him about the real St Nicholas, a Christian who lived a long time ago in a country far away. I gave him a brief overview of how this man wanted to help the poor, who had no presents on Christmas. If you want the season to be about your version of caring and Jesus, you better move it to August or September. And for Odin's sake, don't celebrate it on a day of the week named after some other religion's gods. (Friday, Saturday, etc.) Jesus is more specifically spoken of in Genesis 3:14-15. I love that from the moment of the fall, we are given a promise of hope and redemption.