Santa Claus brings grace.
If there is one thing we know about Santa Claus it is that he brings good gifts to children. And while popular Christmas songs might lead us to believe otherwise, Santa Claus does not distinguish between “naughty” and “nice” children. When the relatives gather on Christmas Day, the question to children is never “did you make the cut?” Rather, the question is “what did Santa bring?” The children actually do nothing to earn these gifts. They may write letters. They may be “extra good.” But the reason for the gifts is the character of Santa himself—he is a giver of good gifts. On Christmas morning, children are simply invited to receive and celebrate.
Finally, Santa Claus brings an early, tangible experience of faith.
The writer of Hebrews defines faith as “confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” When children believe in Santa Claus they understand what it means to believe in something, in someone, they can’t see. They don’t see Santa Claus come down their chimneys and leave gifts around the tree, but they believe because the story is compelling and the evidence is strong. As they get older and wiser, many children suspend their growing disbelief so that they can continue to enjoy the fantasy. Even adults enter into the world of Santa Claus, believing and rejoicing along with the children. While our cynical sides may feel troubled by all of this make-believe nonsense, many have argued that imagination, fairy tales, and fantasy are an important, if not vital, component of human life.
Albert Einstein is quoted as saying, “When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than any talent for abstract, positive thinking.”
G.K. Chesterton explained, “Exactly what the fairy tale does is this: it accustoms [the child] for a series of clear pictures to the idea that … there is something in the universe more mystical than darkness, and stronger than strong fear.”
And J.R.R. Tolkien said this: “Fantasy remains a human right: we make in our measure and in our derivative mode, because we are made: and not only made, but made in the image and likeness of a Maker.”
Even as we revel in the fun, we still worry. What will happen when a child learns “the truth” about Santa Claus? We worry that their hopes and dreams will be dashed. We even worry that they may lose faith in God and other important things unseen. But perhaps “the truth” a child must learn is not that Santa Claus “isn’t real.” Perhaps the truth is that Santa Claus is very real, but instead of a physical person he is a beautiful metaphor that illustrates the power of hope, wonder, grace, and faith.
When Santa Claus takes his place on the shelf next to the millions of other myths enjoyed by children across the globe throughout history, the true Christmas story remains. The story about the God of the universe becoming a baby in a manger does not become less true as we age. On the contrary, this story becomes more true and real and powerful with each passing year. Through Santa Claus we see divine truth through a glass, darkly. Through Jesus, we see divine truth face-to-face.
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This piece originally appeared at mosaicsite.org, published with permission.
