Thoughts: Many have wondered what they should tell their children about ST. Nick. We may try to ignore this- but it is so steeped in our culture that children will ask us about Santa Clause.
There is no ultimate answer. I do not buy that it is a lie to tell children about Santa Clause any more than it is a lie to tell children a fictional story. It can become a problem if we give St. Nick divine properties to the point where Jesus is ignored and Santa Clause is the great wish giver- who see us when we're sleeping and makes sure we're good for goodness sake! But going around putting out other's joy is not a nice thing either. I can remember people telling me there was no such thing- even when I suspected it (I think I was about seven when I heard my parents go up in the attic 12/24- which they never did).
But there is another alternative. I think parents need to let their kids down easily from the culture's version of Santa Clause with the historical accounts of Nicholas of Myra who became St. Nicholas who became Sinter Klauss or Santa Clause. Here is a good summary link to his life. Nicholas of Myra (now in Turkey) was a generous and devout man. The earliest accounts of him have his parents die early and he gave his money away to the poor. One very early story says he saved three girls who were about to lose their home and be put on the street or be forced to be prostitutes keep their home by putting coins in their shoes at night. It is said that Nicea (325) not only determined the date of Easter but also discussed the date of Christmas which was officially adopted 354. Nicholas is recorded as having been at this council (makes since as he was alive during this time and lived not far away from Nicea). If so, St. Nick would have discussed or voted on the date to celebrate Christmas.
The stories of flying reindeer, beaming down a chimney, going around the world in a few hours are extended imagination. All the North Pole elves and toy making legends might need to be debunked too. But the root of the St. Nicholas story is apparently very real and worth telling to children who are getting just old enough to not believe the fake additions and embellishments.
There is a children's book: "The Real Saint Nicholas" which can help. There also is a book by William Bennett on "The True Saint Nicholas and why He Matters to Christmas."
PRAYER: Lord, give me wisdom, transparency, honesty, but also awareness of a sense of mystery around your coming. Give wisdom to parents to speak good and right words to children.
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