kukla_tko | What to write...

I considered sounding off about

arkhamrefugee's recent post about the trashy geek girl.

I still might. I am Geoffrey on the subject, which should be no surprise to anyone.

I considered posting what my busy Holiday schedule looks like from here.
I considered posting with silly jokes, and my take on some of the forwarded messages regarding the holidays, but I bet you have all gotten them too.

Then I remembered; I still have more to say about my oldest and dearest friend, Santa Claus.

Let's talk secrets, shall we?

The Secret of Santa Claus.
I fully intent to write a pair of books called "The Secret of Santa Claus." Book 1 is a children's book explaining the history of Santa Claus, and the more modern traditions.
Here are some Excerpts:
"Nicholas was a man who loved Jesus very much. He loved to celebrate Jesus' birthday, and prayed every year that he could give Jesus a present. Jesus spoke to Nicholas, saying " whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me."
Nicholas realized that Jesus lives in the hearts of his followers, so he began giving presents to all of the children."
"Leave a plate of cookies and a glass of milk for Santa. Sometimes it's nice to leave him a carrot for his reindeer, too." It will be filled with colorful illustrations of the jolly old elf, and is the kind of thing that parents should read to their kids at Christmastime.

Book 2 is for the parents to read to themselves. It will offer some advice to bring magic and sharing into the Christmas Holiday, without resorting to the Season's Greedies. Santa Claus is NOT a lie told by parents to their children. He is NOT a figment invented by the toy industry to boost sales at the end of the year. He is not "fake" in the least, and anyone who believes these things and teaches them to their children are MISSING THE POINT.

Santa is the lesson used to teach selfless giving to children who are, by nature, greedy and self-centered. Children have to be TAUGHT charity. They have to be taught generosity, and the best teacher teaches by example.

My mother went to great lengths to make sure that there was Christmas Magic in our house. Sometimes it was subtle, sometimes it was grand, and sometimes I got to help.
I am the oldest child. When I was in 3rd Grade, my mom pulled me aside.
"Do you know the secret of Santa Claus?" She asked me.
I was intrigued. "No," I said, "What is it?"
She then struggled with the explanation, fumbling more than she would with the explanation of sex about a year later.
And I was heartbroken. I thought I was going to get to find out something wonderful about Santa, something that only the older kids knew. Instead I had my world shattered.

What mom did next to repair the damage was, I firmly believe, divinely inspired.
She reconstructed the myth for me. And let me in on the gag. I don't remember what she said, but I can put it together somewhat. She explained that she had heard that my evil 3rd grade teacher told kids that santa was a lie. She was terrified that I would find out in this way, and wanted to talk to me herself. She wanted me to understand that Santa was NOT a lie, that he WAS real, but not a specific person.

Wait a minute.
Santa isn't a specific person, he's everyone who does stuff and says that they are Santa?

(Remember, I was acting by this time and understood the magic of the stage already.)

Wait a minute! Does this mean that *I* can be *SANTA*!?!

Since that awkward moment between my mom and I over 20 years ago, we have polished and perfected this idea together. We were co-conspirators, keeping the magic alive for my brothers long past the age when kids begin to doubt. I seem to recall that the older brother came to my mom and told HER what the secret of Santa was. She corrected him on a few points, but he had basically gotten the idea. He then looked thoughtful and told her, "Don't tell my brother and sister. I think they still believe."
And Sister. I really had sold him on my belief.

And I did that because I DID still believe in Santa. Little kids look me in the eye and ask me if I believe, even to this day. You can't put one past a kid like that. They're looking you in the eye, and if you show them doubt they won't believe you.

I have watched skeptical eyes looking deeply into me as they asked me if I believed in Santa Claus.
And watched the relief flood their face as I firmly state that I DO believe in Santa. And that Santa still comes to my house, as a matter of fact.

And all those parents who prevent their children from experiencing Santa's Magic because they are fundamentalists or have strong feelings that Santa and Jesus are unconnected...
Are robbing their kids.

Santa is a great way to teach children about Jesus and his message. Santa translates to "selfless giving." Santa gives gifts without expecting thanks or reward. Children get to experience this from both sides, if done right.

Matthew 6:2-4
2Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 3But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.

You can't get much more "Santa" than that. Santa Claus became a legend by being an icon of Christian Charity.

Go, thou, and BE A SANTA!