What is the deal with Santa Claus?

Ok. First of all, long time no post. I know. I disappeared into a vortex of despondent funk there for a while after my team lost. I'm over it now.

I have a hard time with the whole Santa Claus thing. First and foremost, it distracts from the real meaning of Christmas more than anything. Christmas has become so commercialized. It drives me crazy. You hear so much more about Santa than Christ. The kid's songs focus much more on Santa than Christ. The kids are therefore naturally more excited about Santa, than Christ. I always feel like there is this tug-of-war that goes on between the two, and it's a battle to educate my kids about why we really have Christmas. Case and point, The Polar Express, The Santa Clause movies, Elf among countless others. They all have the same message - "you have to believe in Santa Claus, then all your wildest dreams will come true!" Ok, I added that last bit. But believing in Santa Claus does nothing for me or my kids. What good comes from it? I guess it can be cute and fun when they are young... But at one point they're just going to realize that we are lying to them. And why? What for? What is the point? It's all a stupid pagan lie that I hate keeping up. I truly prefer to just tell my kids that there is no Santa Claus. Last year right before Christmas, Christine said to me, "Dad, there is no Santa Claus, Easter Bunny, or Tooth Fairy, is there?" So badly I wanted to shout out - "You're right!! It's all this ridiculous lie and I hate it!" But I restrained. I don't know why.

Now don't get me wrong, Christmas is by far my favorite holiday. I am by no means a scrooge. But it is my favorite because of the birth of our Savior, and not because of his aforementioned competition. I love that people are a little nicer, a little kinder, and go out of there way to help others. And why do people do that? Because of Christ, not because of Santa Claus.

So this season I wish to you all a Merry CHRISTmas! May we remember our Savior, his wonderful life, his love, his example, his teachings, his death, and his resurrection. And may SantaClaus-mas be the farthest thing from our hearts.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!