Approaching Santa this year

Yes. I was the one who pushed to get my children to the lap of Santa. Knowing that this great Father Christmas would be at Dickens' Festival, I made a visit to his building a priority between shows. All three kids shared the desire to hunt down the man in red. It was an anticipated meeting for the kids! I expected a long line, but I didn't realize that the wait would have us surrounded by perfectly put-together groups of color-coordinated children. In contrast, our group features purposely scraggly hair, whatever long-sleeved tops were clean, and smiles that ended up looking forced (they were sincerely smiling and happy). Never having had the kids within arms length, and therefore not photographed, I was glad to survive the line and capture all three in what may be the last year when all pictured have complete faith in Santa's magic.

This year, Tyler constantly exclaims "Nana!" (for Santa) and "nose" (for Rudolph's red nose) whenever he sees those characters and/or wants the classic animated movies turned on (again!). His pure excitement is contagious. Paige and Meg each had a simple toy that they had ready to ask for. Nothing extreme. Their belief that he'll deliver is endearing. Meg mentioned a "little white stuffed dog that barks and walks with a pink leash." Paige asked for the "Ariel Barbie with the fancy dress." Tyler didn't know...so I prompted him with "A pony?" His immediate "Yes" was changed just an instant later to "Deer!" He wanted to walk away with one of the reindeer. Most likely the red-nosed variety!


I imagine future explanations of Santa. I might take the approach of explaining us as his helpers spreading love, as another parent wrote. I might parallel his symbols with those of the Savior, as one site explained. Maybe those two links will help others already facing big questions of reality. Interesting approaches that I've been thinking about the past bit (thanks Amy for writing of the first and also this last, for me to see/copy). But for this year, I continue on in the "let them imagine" phase that is encouraged in one of my all-time favorite reads - A Tree Grows in Brooklyn:

"...the child must believe in the Lord God and Jesus, His Only Son...Oh, and you must not forget the Kris Kringle. The child must believe in him until she reaches the age of six..."
"I know there is no Santa Claus."
"Yes, you must teach the child that these things are so."
"Why? When I myself do not believe?"
"Because...the child must have a valuable thing called imagination. The child must have a secret world in which things live which never were. It is necessary that she believe. She must start out by believing in things not of this world. Then when the world becomes too ugly for living in, the child can reach back and live in her imagination."

Yes. I encourage imagination. I encourage believing in those who carry joy and encourage giving. 'Tis the Season' for that hope!