I don't lie about Santa. But I do weave a wonderful yarn about how Santa is the expression of peace, love, and understanding, and that is where his magic comes from.
I also tell stories about the expressions of Santa around the world, from St. Nicholas to Sinterklaas to the Kristkind. I also discuss with the kids how Christmas is celebrated around the world, from Sinterklaasdag in the Netherlands to the importance of Three Kings Day in Latin American cultures. We've talked about the pagan origins of Christmas, what Yule is, and the impotance of the winter solstice, as well as all of the pagan symbols that are incorporated into the Christian holiday, and what they mean. We've also discussed how the secular holiday of Christmas came into existence, as well as the Christian origins.
From there, I allow the kids to draw their own opinions about Santa Claus and Christmas. Keep in mind, I'm not inundating these kids with information, rather, when they have questions, I answer them. Given that kids start getting worked up about Christmas shortly after Halloween, I've been answering various questions since the beginning of November. Lots of questions. I'm also not trying to persuade them to believe one thing or another. I'd really prefer for them to make up their own minds about these sorts of things.
__________________
If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau
|