When Christ and Secularist Consumerism Colide

Tonight I took the kids to the mall. It is still single digit November, so I was - of course - surprised to see the Salvation Army ringer as well as the Christmas decorations already streaming about us. "Oh yes," I told the kids. "Halloween is over, so it's Christmas time at the mall." Best to just tell them the truth about it now, I thought.

After a trip to the playland and the carousel, we stopped by to see Santa Claus. Because I am going to tell you right now, they are not going to see him again this season. Not because I have any spiritual concerns about it, but because I refuse to stand in a long slow line with an over-hyped 5 year old and a 2 year old who will be, no doubt, still buzzing on his sugar high from October 31st. Maybe Santa comes early for mothers like me.

This, however, was a Santa like no other.

Here is a transcription of Santa's conversation with my two children:

Santa (to Anna): So what are you learning about in school?

Anna (quite shyly): The letter "G".

Santa: That's a very good letter. Do you know what very important thing starts with the letter G?

Anna: What?

Santa: God. (pauses) Do you know why we celebrate Christmas?

(Mom starts getting tears in her eyes.)

Anna: Why?

Santa: Because that's the day that Jesus was born. Did you know that Jesus is God's Son?

Anna: Yes! We read about Him in the Jesus Storybook Bible.

Santa: Yes, that is a very good book. Do you know where Jesus was born?

Anna: In a little house?

Santa: It was more like a stable, with lots of animals. (pauses) So what do you want for Christmas this year?

Anna: I want the DisneyPrincessSleepingBeautyTalkingVanity and Noah wants the ImaginextAdventuresCaptainHook'sIsland!

Santa: Wow, that's ... quite a mouthful.