This Christmas the American Atheists have posted a large billboard in Times Square New York. It has two pictures: one of Santa Claus and the other of Jesus on the cross. The captions under the pictures are “Keep the Merry” and “Dump the Myth”. Apart from having the captions under the wrong pictures, the sentiment is one I agree with.
Christmas is a merry season that is based on truth, not myth. Confusing the truth with myth doesn’t help people understand the event, or experience the merriment.
As a parent of three young children, all of Santa Claus age, this is a difficult call for my wife and I. First, when everything around them points to Santa, do you just tell them that it’s untrue? Secondly, when one day they find out or figure out the truth about Santa, will that affect their ability to believe in anything unseen? We are trying to teach our children about the true meaning of Christmas and allowing Santa, but in our increasingly secular world, there may come a day when parents may have to choose between “Rudolph the red-nosed Reindeer” or ” Once in Royal David’s City”.