My Dilemma

di⋅lem⋅ma-
–noun
1. a situation requiring a choice between equally undesirable alternatives.
2. any difficult or perplexing situation or problem.
3. Logic. a form of syllogism in which the major premise is formed of two or more hypothetical propositions and the minor premise is a disjunctive proposition, as “If A, then B; if C then D. Either A or C. Therefore, either B or D.”


It's that time of year again. The time where we are wrestling with our consciences over the great "to believe or not to believe" debate. I am talking about the "S" word: Santa Claus.
Keep in mind, our kids KNOW what Christmas is all about. As they were decorating the tree Samuel would say "Look, Mom, I am hanging this one up for Jesus!". They know that Christmas is about our Savior been born on earth, not about a fat man bearing gifts. So, what's the hubub?
In our earlier parenting days, this was really a non-issue. We read books about Santa, watched some cartoons, but we did not stress that he was a real person. He was something along the same lines of Winnie-The-Pooh. He only existed in those books and movies. Then, Nathaniel started Kindergarten. Every kid believed that Santa was real, that SANTA brought all their Christmas presents. (I am not trying to turn this into a rant of the evils of public school, it could happen in Sunday School or a homeschool co-op. The fact is he was with a big group of believers and started believing too. The church we went to at the time had Santa come visit the kids.)
God has really been weeding out things from my life. This was our first non-Halloween year, I recently watched Phantom of the Opera and did not enjoy it as much as I used to. (That is not the only movie that has left my realm of enjoyment.)So now we come to this. For as along as I can remember, we have been on the fence with it. We do not want to lie to our kids. However, I saw how people treated the kids around Halloween. "Don't you like to dress up and get candy? Where's your costume? Your mom and dad won't let you dress up?!?!? That's awful!!" Those are the things I heard. Who knows what was said when I was not around. Look, you can me a religious nut-job all day and I don't care. But don't mess with my kids or I just might end up saying or doing something that I later regret. I really had to bite my tongue at the church Harvest Festival.
Samuel is the one that really gets me. He so much believes in Santa. He thinks that he is going to get a lightsaber because "I really have been extra good. I just know Santa is going to bring it to me". (Yes, the lightsaber he wants is already purchased) He really thinks that being "good" gets rewarded. In the Bible we are not referred to as "good" we are called depraved, filthy, enemies of God, unrighteous, unholy... things along that line. We are in need of a Savior. Even after we repent of our old ways and trust in the Savior we really have nothing good we can brag about. It is His goodness that saves us. But even if you consider "good" as being moral and decent, look at what happens to people: all across the world there are people being persecuted for their faith. (I am talking about Christians) It may range from the small look at the little Christian goody-goody to something more serious-imprisonment, torture, death. God never promises a reward (earthly reward) for being "good".
Another thing is how do we explain it to all the kids who do NOT get what they want??? Kids who are precious, who try to be very good, but mom and dad got laid off, or got sick, or died? How do you explain to them why Santa did not come? How do unhurt their feelings? How do you make them realize that their worth does not come from a fat guy in a red suit?
So, I am asking advice from those of you in blogger land: How do you handle this? If your kids are non-believers how do you handle the angry mobs of "What makes you want to rob your children of childhood innocence" bullies?