On Faith Panelists Blog: What we tell our kids about Santa - Mark Driscoll

I still remember the disappointment and confusion figuring out the truth about Santa.  Back when GI Joe was a real man, not the little pint sized GI Joe, I'm talking the 12" GI Joe big enough to save the day.  Big enough to save Barbie from any danger, whether man, monster, or mystery, GI Joe was there to save the day.  He already had the amphibious assault vehicle conveniently sized for Barbie to ride beside him after her rescue, but he still needed a tank.  His masking tape armor wasn't enough to protect him when he fought the clothes basket monster, he needed the GI Joe tank.  Jimmy prayed Santa would bring it, he wrote the North Pole, and he also wondered was it true?  Could it really be true, I mean come on - flying reindeer and stuff?  All the cartoons, stories, and malls testified to his veracity, but was it true?

Well, snooping around the house and actually finding the GI Joe tank in the closet increased my doubts but maybe, just maybe Santa was true and this was only an extra gift from my dear mother.  Lying awake Christmas eve, trying in vain to sleep, afraid the legend was true but hoping I wouldn't miss out for being awake, I tried to feign sleep and figure out the truth, hoping to trick Santa if he was real into leaving me presents, while confirming once and for all the situation.  Looking for a sign, any sign, I could have sworn I heard something on the roof - could it be?  I could have sworn I saw a warm red glow outside the window.  What to do, what to do?  Do I run out bravely to see Santa and Rudolph and finally know the truth, never again to see his presents, or do I pray for instant sleep and hide under the covers?  Greedy chicken that I was, I chose the latter.

Waking up at the break of dawn I tip toed into the living room to see what was under the tree.  Had Santa been there?  Did he know I was awake?  Did he give me presents anyway?  Was GI Joe going to be able to save the day?  Well, the tank was there and all was not lost, but the joy was tainted by the guilt of discovering one of my mother's few secrets.  Discovering the joy she had in Saint Nick bringing me the things I dreamed about and knowing I had taken something from her.

Well, as any good kid would do, I forgot about all that and woke her up with squeals of joy that Santa had been there and I got my beloved GI Joe tank!  I wanted to show her how Joe was going to save Barbie from the evil Blob and the other forces of darkness.  Seeing her smile made it all right again and showed me where Santa really lived.

Christians - Do we reject, receive, or redeem Santa? What do you tell your kids or grand kids about Santa? An interesting article for this Christmas season.  Hope you enjoy it!

On Faith Panelists Blog: What we tell our kids about Santa - Mark Driscoll

Enjoy,

Jim