Christmas is that special time of year where we are able to live through our children. We make the necessary preparations to welcome Santa into our house. We make special cookies and notes for him, and we open the flue to the chimney so that he can slide down with ease. We laugh out loud when little boys and girls turn on the inflatable snow globe and boogey down to the music. For a couple of days a year, we are able to believe in the magic of Christmas, and hear the bells on Santa’s sleigh. I know that some of today’s “new-age” parents don’t believe in telling kids the story of Santa Clause and his multinational corporation located at the North Pole. Why? Why can’t we just let kids be kids? Today’s young generation is already being robbed of their imaginations through cell phones and video games. Why take away the glorious story of Santa and his elfin unions who make toys for all the boys and girls of the world? Do you really think it is going to do that much harm to your kids if you tell them this one lie? Kids are growing up way to fast these days, and I want my children to hold onto their childhoods as long as possible. There still will be plenty of time to grow up.
Unfortunately, kids do grow up so fast. One of my children is thirteen and had given up on the idea of Santa Clause a few years back. However, I think secretly she’s grateful for the fact that she’s the big sister, and that she still gets to pretend that Santa is real. She participates in making the cookie plate and glass of milk for Santa. She still makes out her Santa list and helps my son with his. She enjoys the stories and seeing her little brother’s eyes widen with excitement on Christmas morning when he sees all of the presents under the tree. The two of them anticipate with glee when the wee waking hours of the morning shine through their windows and they get to gang up on Mom and Dad, innocently sleeping after a full night of present prep. Unbeknownst to them, however, Mommy and Daddy are usually feigning sleep because they are too excited also. The excitement in our house is contagious, and it usually affects any living being a two acre radius, including the dog, who proceeds to break into the presents before anyone else has a chance.
Through my son’s eyes, we enjoy the Christmas season and all its splendor. On Christmas Eve, we will welcome Santa into our house and oblige him to eat his fill of cookies and milk. He will fill the stockings and pile the presents under the tree. He will be careful not to wake a little boy who decides to camp out in his doorway so to catch a glimpse of Santa. He will cover him gently and pat his head, instilling sweet dreams of toys and wrapping paper in his sleeping mind. If we remember to listen carefully, we’ll be able to hear the bells on his sleigh as the reindeer leap into the cold night air to visit the next house who will hopefully welcome them as we have, with open hearts.
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