The Santa Question

For two months each year, I step into my working clothes, ready to listen and capture the dreams children share with me.

Their stories open windows to grace and beauty.

Santa's Workshop

Heart of

Every December

I pose with children, proving the magic we share is real.

Behind Scenes

Santa's Den

January - November

Preparing for the season, I reflect on the dreams I've gathered.

Some of our dear Christian friends are rightly concerned with the secularization of Christmas, the emphasis on buying and getting, and fear that even an acknowledgment of Santa Claus will cause him to supplant Jesus in the hearts of children. Is there a way to portray the saint, along with the shepherds, the magi, and the throngs of all Christians, humbly worshiping at the feet of the King of Kings, Who was born in a manger? Can he model a warm, loving, understanding, compassionate, generous life in a harsh and sorrowful world? Can he hint at the wonderful mystery, joy and glory to come? This is the heart of David’s desire in his portrayal of Santa Claus: a humanly impossible ideal, sought by prayer, informed by the Holy Spirit.

So what does the Santa experience give the child? Some working theories:
1) Not every stranger is evil. We need to learn how to discern the intentions of others. We need to learn to trust wisely and begin by trusting our parents. A 2- or 3-year-old certainly has no discernment for trustworthiness outside their caregivers. Age 4 and up are beginners. We try to help each timorous child find a spark of bravery that can grow with each new experience into a lifelong courage to face and conquer their respective worlds. (Also called self-sufficiency.)

2) The true, good and beautiful still exist in the universe, if only in the heart of our imaginations. But even if it is only found there, that idea must have come from somewhere; something outside of us. We all yearn for Eden or Heaven. The Santa set can bring that yearning into consciousness. If the child realizes this, he or she can begin to look for it and eventually to try to create/model it.

3) The Christmas Spirit is an attitude supported by actions. The central ACT of the Christmas Spirit is generous giving. Here is where our intentions go awry, especially as we age and our motives get mixed. Most (really!) of our young visitors are more concerned with what others need than with what they want. At young ages, if their basic needs are met, they have often learned that happiness is not in things. Santa represents generous, anonymous, unexpected giving of himself: his pure love and attention, with no thought of a return. He hopes to teach and provide opportunities for the youngsters to become his joyous, generous helpers.

There is true Christmas magic and it resides in the child, not in Santa. Every single one of them is a visible miracle. Watch for it as they work through their reactions to encountering Santa!