"I don't believe in Santa Claus," she said in a voice loud enough for every child within 15 feet to hear. "My parents put the presents in the stocking."

 Sorry this was a bit late...

anyhoo, as I was ranting in another topic, we need a post-critical naïveté stage about God.

I am feeling Santa-ed out this morning.  I realize that I can't avoid him during this time of heavy shopping-promotion, but, my oh my am I sick of him!  In our family we don't celebrate Santa Claus (or give gifts on the 25th), which is a decision I am happy and proud about. I completely respect other people's traditions and practices in this regard, and my three kids know very well to not interfere with the excitement of other kids.  But I find it very interesting, in a culture that increasingly excludes religious references at this time of year, to see Santa stuff

We had four wonderful children who have turned into amazing adults.  We always spoke the truth to our children regarding Santa Claus (that he was based on a real man who gave people gifts, but whose character today is imaginary). 

The reason for this is because we told them that Jesus is real.  If we had also told them that Santa was real and then found out later that he was fake..... what would they think about who Jesus was?  Could they trust what we as parents told them?