Tell Them the Truth

Many traditions associated with Christmas have pagan origins. Rather than make a fuss about them, let’s create traditions that glorify the Lord. When I used to get together with my mother’s side of the family on Christmas Eve, one of my aunts insisted on us singing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus before we opened up presents. That’s a clever way to remind people of the reason for the season.

One holiday tradition I am strongly against is parents giving presents to their kids saying they are from Santa Claus. Many people think this is harmless fun. But when I was little and discovered Santa, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy were all fictional characters, I started questioning God’s existence. Parents who don’t tell their kids the whole truth about St. Nicholas are setting them up for a letdown.  

A few years ago, one television news anchor got in hot water for speaking the truth about Santa Claus. In response to comments made by a co-anchor regarding gift expectations, Robin Robinson of Fox Chicago said on the air, “Stop trying to convince your kids that Santa is Santa…That’s why they have these high expectations. They know you can’t afford it, so what do they do? Just ask some man in a red suit. There is no Santa.”

Angry parents flooded the station with demands for an apology. Although Ms. Robinson did so the next day (possibly to save her job), it’s the angry parents who should apologize to their children for deceiving them. Most kids are taught not to lie to their parents. Why then do many parents not practice what they preach?

If you do the Santa thing with your children without telling them the truth, they’ll learn it from somebody else. I was in second grade when a friend at school told me my presents from Santa Claus were really from my parents.

Don’t lie to your kids anymore. Tell them the truth!

“Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who deal truthfully are His delight.” - Proverbs 12:22

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