We have gone back and forth and back and forth (and back and forth!) about whether to celebrate Christmas with Santa in our home. It's funny, before we had Zooey, I just assumed, neigh - I KNEW - we'd do Santa. Then I became a parent, and I reconsidered. As a Christian, is it ok to do Santa? Hmmm. We have done it so far. This year, because Zooey's old enough to understand, and probably even remember, I thought about it a little more in depth. I decided, after praying and talking to some wise women, that we are going to have the magic of Santa in our home. This will be a big family game of pretend. Zooey is really starting to use her imagination, and so, going forward, when we talk to her about Santa, it will be as a make-believe story that we all pretend as a family. I respect you if you feel differently, and I totally get it. Ryan & I love Jesus, and I grew up thinking Christmas was magical because Santa was coming. I remember thinking I heard reindeer footprints on the roof with sleighbells ringing. I remember running to the window to look for Santa's sleigh. I stayed up almost all night one year with Sarah to see if we'd see Santa (until my mom came in and told us we'd better get back in bed because Santa doesn't come when kids are awake!). It was fun. It was special. Those are some of the best Christmas memories I have.
And you know what? After reflecting, praying, thinking, talking to Ryan...I NEVER ONCE doubted that Jesus is the true reason for Christmas. I never once thought He was pretend. I never once thought my parents were cruel for "lying" to me. Looking back, I think I always kind of knew Santa was a great game of imagination. But there was never any question in my mind even as a young girl that Jesus is real. So, we're going to let Zooey experience the magic* that I remember of being a little girl, and my hope is she'll find some of the joy and fun memories that I had as child will be something she has, too. I'm excited to see her join in the story with us.
One thing we will not be doing, however, is using Santa or the Elf on the Shelf (see a future post - just got it today and I'm excited!) to try to manipulate Zooey's behavior to get gifts or favor. We want to focus on Zooey's heart, and a heart that loves Jesus will automatically pour forth a life offering to Him that is pleasing. We will tell Zooey that Santa comes to bring Christmas cheer and magic to little kids, and he gives gifts to kids whether they deserve it or not. And as long as she wants to pretend and believe Santa is coming, we will play with her.
*Am I saying your kid will not have fun memories and magic if you don't do Santa? Absolutely not! Please know I support you in whatever your choice for your family, and this post was in no way meant to debate with or offend anyone. :) I merely want to remember all this stuff when I get old and gray and the details of the parenting journey gets harder and harder to remember.
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