To get back into the discipline of blogging, I intend to do a good bit of posting for the next few weeks.  And of course we know what that means- lots of words, but not necessarily the highest calibre of reading.  Here goes...

Christmas season is upon us, and I enjoy the giving and receiving of gifts.  I'll very much enjoy Skylar this time.  She has already busied herself tearing into the presents under the tree, not so much in pursuit of the contents, but simply to reek havoc.  She is good at that.  She helped to decorate the tree, a family tradition on the Friday after Thanksgiving.  Now she is in the process of removing said ornaments with every chance.  It really is fun.

Here is what Santa will give me for Christmas.  We've already talked about it.  Admittedly it was a bit awkward to sit upon his lap, but also strangely exciting. 

What is the place of Santa in the Christian celebration of Christmas?  I was talking with a couple of precocious kids at church, and they were telling me with matter-of-fact precision that Santa is not real.  I thought they were far too young to be absent the wonder and excitement of Good Ole' St. Nick.  Their parents fear that he will supplant the place of Jesus.  Santa was not born in a manger, nor die upon a cross.  Santa was not resurrected.  I have no worry about the worship of Santa- although the religion of Materialism is alive and well in our culture.  But, I say, give Santa his place.  Our kids grow up too fast.  Santa will visit my church on the evening of December 9, after the Children's Music Program.  He will have a cheesy beard and look a lot like the guy who runs the sound booth.  And he will bring gifts of gold, frankincense, and maybe a Creative Zen 4gb MP3 Player.

This is similar to a Christmas decoration we use in our home.  We've had it for many years.


Ho!  Ho!  Ho!

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posted by: LadyG (reply)
post date: 12.03.07 (9:30 am)

I know Santa didn't mind you sitting on his lap. I thank you for saying so eloquently where Santa fit in a christian home. Skylar sounds like a real joy to have around.

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posted by: inkspector (reply)
post date: 12.03.07 (1:55 pm)

Santa brings three gifts each to my two children just like Baby Jesus got. If they get stuff from other people, fine and dandy but Santa only brings three things which they must choose wisely to ask for when they see him.

Skylar is at a great age to enjoy the lights.
I also love your little knick knack Santa and child. Very nice.

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posted by: Barnabus1 (reply)
post date: 12.03.07 (3:08 pm)

Tell Santa he can no longer say Ho Ho Ho!! it's not politically correct!! In Aaustrailia he's saying: Ha ha ha!! I gues a certian class of women says it refers to them hehe!!

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posted by: surrogate (reply)
post date: 12.03.07 (3:34 pm)

I'm with you as far as allowing Santa his place. Personally, I'll never forgive Christine Sloat for telling me Santa wasn't real; that it was really my parents putting all that good stuff under the tree Christmas eve. She looked like Pippi Longstocking and was a smart-ass from day one in kindergarten. I also knew she was smarter than me, and so a year later, when I was showing off the cool cap gun (yes, AT school,) the first day after Christmas vacation, and in answer to a question, I told one of my friends that Santa had brought it to me along with a really neat bike, and evil Christine piped in with her bit of news - delivered in a derisive tone - I think I cried all the way home to confront my Mother, whom that day, I found out had been a horrible liar all my life.

Days later, lying in bed, it dawned on me that my Father had probably been consuming the cookies and milk my sister and I had left out for Santa each Christmas Eve since I was old enough to remember such things. (What, three years? -four?) Worst of all, was KNOWING the awful truth, and having to "pretend" for my little sister for the next couple of years till someone ruined her life too.

I'll bet Christine became a psychologist.

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posted by: surrogate (reply)
post date: 12.03.07 (4:07 pm)

Reply to: inkspector

I've always thought Jesus kind of got rooked as far as those first three gifts of his. What? -no one ever heard of a rattle? A mobile to hang over his makeshift crib, maybe? I mean really, myrrh? What's a myrrh?

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posted by: fractalmom (reply)
post date: 12.03.07 (5:25 pm)

one Christmas, a few years ago, when the original four were still kids, they heard a slight discourse between me and DH regarding the credit card bills which resulted from Christmas.

the next day, one of the kids asked me..

if Santa brings the presents, why were you and daddy arguing about the credit card bills?

without batting an eye, i turned around and promptly replied..

"oh honey, the elves went union last year..and so Santa has to put the toys of the parents who can afford it on their credit card cause now he has to pay all those pesky elves W.A.G.E.S."

the kids still laugh about how quick i was and how it kept them believing in Santa one more year...

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posted by: FinalyFree (reply)
post date: 12.03.07 (9:49 pm)

I always told my kids that parents must reimburse Santa as well, but in order to even be considered for gifts you had to really 'try' to behave the year before. I've posted on this whole Santa debate before, I personally think Mr. Claus is one of the most wonderful aspects of being a child. I don't think my tales of Santa, Mrs. Clause, the elves, or the talented reindeer led my kids to consider me a liar I think it reassured them that in this world there is still some good. When they were old enough to reason the impossibilities of Santa really existing naturally they were disappointed but their happy memories quickly took the place of any disappointment. I'm also happy that they knew Christmas was about the birth of our Savior first and foremost--but I realize for many of their early years their focus was on the fat man in a red suit--and that's ok too.

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posted by: PastorDave (reply)
post date: 12.04.07 (6:13 pm)

Reply to: LadyG
I sat on his lap, then he sat upon my lap for a while. Then we both agreed it was a bit odd, so we stopped.

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posted by: PastorDave (reply)
post date: 12.04.07 (6:14 pm)

Reply to: inkspector
I like the 3 gifts idea. We go with 2- one big gift, one small.

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posted by: PastorDave (reply)
post date: 12.04.07 (6:15 pm)

Reply to: Barnabus1
Well, he certainly can't say "nappy headed ho", else he will join Don Imus in the unemployment line.

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posted by: PastorDave (reply)
post date: 12.04.07 (6:18 pm)

Reply to: surrogate
For you it was Christine Sloat. The one who ruined my fantasy was Jodie Kellett. She wasn't even all that smart. I guess she had Fundamentalist Christian parents.

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posted by: PastorDave (reply)
post date: 12.04.07 (6:22 pm)

Reply to: fractalmom
Elves Union? USEU - United Santa's Elves Union. So, that explains all the shoddy workmanship and high prices. Poor kids. I'd rather believe in Santa than a union.

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posted by: PastorDave (reply)
post date: 12.04.07 (6:24 pm)

Reply to: FinalyFree
Fat man in a red suit? You do realize I have a red, double-breasted "evangelist's suit"?

I agree. Santa is good. Fantasy is part of a healthy child's imagination. Thanks for being good to your kids.

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posted by: surrogate (reply)
post date: 12.04.07 (6:33 pm)

Reply to: PastorDave

Isn't it funny what we remember?

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posted by: sebastianjoshua (reply)
post date: 12.04.07 (11:22 pm)

ho ho ho

may i have some of the goodies...

ho ho ho

:-)

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posted by: Barbara (reply)
post date: 12.05.07 (1:18 pm)

you obviously haven't figured out that SANTA is an anagram for SATAN. check it out - go to santa satan anagram and look for rick alexander's song

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posted by: PastorDave (reply)
post date: 12.05.07 (6:26 pm)

Reply to: Barbara
Yeah? Did you know that BARBARA is an intentional variance of BABA, an Indian religious guru who claims to be the incarnation of God? Next time I sit in Santa's lap, I'll ask him to help change your name.

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posted by: ggirl (reply)
post date: 12.10.07 (12:01 pm)

You know, you're a funny guy, Pastor Dave. I love that!

I agree about the religion of materialism. Every year, I try to get rid of a few more pointless presents. Office politics don't contribute to that goal.

Love the Santa and Child.

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