'Santa isn't real. . .

but Jesus is!" This is what a little boy that I used to babysit said to me years ago. I remember in that very moment thinking that was exactly what I wanted my kids to say. It made that much of an impression on me. I was very happy when Brock & I talked about this issue when we had kids & he was on the same page. So, here at the Tharpe house, we don't 'do' Santa. He isn't the guy that comes in our house {well, actually my parents house since we are always in TN for Christmas} and leaves presents. Here's a few reasons why . . .

* It's creepy! Come on, a old man who 'watches' them all year long to see if they are being 'naughty or nice' . . really?? That's what you want kids to think about??!

* It's the exact opposite of the Gospel. This ' if you are good, than you get what you want' mentality is the exact.complete. polar. opposite of the teachings of Jesus.  I've also heard of families who will actually stop giving their kids gifts when they 'stop believing in Santa' . . seriously?! That's just mean. When I think about how fragile faith is, it seems wrong to teach kids this . . . as they grow, if God isn't giving them what they want, will they stop believing in Him too? Just a thought.

* People who love our kids spend their time & their money to get them a gift & I want my children to be thankful to that person.

Now, having said all of that . . . we do have Santa as a part of our Christmas. Our children know him as a character. We compare him to Peter, Susan, Edmond & Lucy or any other fictional character they would read about in a book. He is a part of Christmas- he just isn't a real person. We have told them that not everyone thinks this way & that it's up to kids parents to tell them if they want to. They love visiting him at the mall & singing silly Christmas songs about him. It is possible to teach your kids to enjoy the character of who Santa is at Christmas time without them actually believing in Santa.

I promise I'm not trying to make this a huge issue or debate, I'm just sharing my thoughts & maybe even encouraging some other parents out there who feel pressured. I know I would have felted very encouraged had I read something like this when I was a young parent. Christmas is my absolute favorite time of the year. I love everything about it - the decorating, the gift shopping {making}, the baking, the crafts, the gatherings . . .you get the point. But, I would be doing my children an injustice if that is all they thought about Christmas . . . I'm glad that they know 'Santa isn't real . . . but Jesus is."