(For an opposing viewpoint, see “3 Reasons to Ditch Santa.”)
In my grandparents’ house sit two statues sharing a common base. The Christ Child is in the manger . . . and before him, bright red cap in hand and with a gentle, loving smile, kneels Santa Claus. It sums up the magic of the Christmas season at its finest: human imagination and creativity pointing to, supporting, and joyfully subordinate to the adoration and celebration of the birth of the God-Man, who came to smash the shackles of sin.
Of course, many depictions of Santa feed a more materialistic view of Christmas, focused on gifts, chocolates, or at best family. Probably because of this, there seems to be a wave of opposition in certain Catholic circles today to the “jolly old elf.” He is not welcome in their homes, and their children go about telling others’ children that Santa Claus “is not real.” They say Santa is a lie, or as the Catechism states, “speaking a falsehood with the intention of deceiving” (2482). This is compounded by the destruction of your child’s trust in you when he “grows up” and learns the full truth, possibly endangering his faith.
If Santa is a lie, then that is sufficient reason to cut ties with him, no matter the nostalgia. However, it would also be sufficient reason to condemn the revered Catholic tradition of putting shoes out on the eve of St. Nicholas Day with the hope that the fourth-century bishop will fill them with treats. We must either bite the bullet and cease this deceptive practice as well, or show that this tradition is not a lie.
Neither the St. Nicholas nor the Santa Claus tradition is a lie. Rather, both are ways of imparting truth, in the same way a theater performance does.
St. Nick and Santa Claus have not always been identified as the same person. Santa Claus grew from a mix of Dutch and English traditions as a fairytale personification of the Christmas spirit that slowly got merged with the idea of St. Nicholas. In neither case, regardless, does he “literally” come down chimneys to drop candy in shoes or deliver presents. Rather, he is a personification of God’s providential care, generosity, and love—as real as anything gets. With these traditions, that is being communicated emotionally to the youngest of us in a way that captures their imaginations.
The most beautiful example I’ve seen of this in action would be the “Letters from Father Christmas” by J.R.R. Tolkien. For two decades, Tolkien wrote letters to his children from the British version of Santa Claus. Direct religious references are scant in these letters, but Tolkien’s Catholic faith is not in doubt. As you read them, you can tell he wrote them looking forward to seeing his kids’ excited faces when they opened the envelope on Christmas morning.
It would take a cold and stony heart to condemn this as “a falsehood with the intention of deceiving.” Rather, Tolkien’s thought on the nature of myths reveals that he was in fact imparting truth and beauty through these fantastic letters:
After all, I believe that legends and myths are largely made of “truth,” and indeed present aspects of it that can only be received in this mode; and long ago certain truths and modes of this kind were discovered and must always reappear.
When children grow older, they come to understand that the story is not literally true. But they also come to understand the spiritual truths and significance of what could be described as a symbol played out in time, as opposed to written on a page or painted on a canvas. Storytelling like this is important for humans, and it helps young children, especially by creating an excitement for Christmas that primes them to enter into the joy and mystery of the Incarnation.
It would be a lie to look a child in the eye (especially one who has reached the age of reason and has this all figured out, but wants you to confirm it) who asks, “Did St. Nick really do this?” and tell him, “Yes” to deceive him. It is possible that this is the experience of some in the anti-Santa camp.
But abuse does not negate proper use. It is not deceitful for the rest of us to continue this form of pageantry on December 25 (and December 6). The legend, if handled appropriately, highlights the very real truth of the otherworldly joy, wonder, and gratitude to God that should consume our souls during this season. “Growing out” of Santa Claus is an opportunity to “grow into” and embrace what he was meant to point you to and emotionally prime you to celebrate: God’s generous gift of himself and salvation.
You might still ask, even if these traditions are not “lies,” why the Incarnation is not enough. Why pollute this holy season with superfluous, secular trappings that can distract from what should be the real source of mystery and excitement?
The word “need” is dangerous. We don’t “need” Christmas lights, trees, chocolate, good food, or even presents to celebrate the Incarnation. We don’t even “need” beautiful music at Mass or art in our churches. Following this logic, all of these things can be distractions from what our heart should be focused on in this holy season.
But the Church’s has “feast” days because we are body and soul. We enter into spiritual mysteries, at least in part, through physical and mental experience—with the sacraments being the ultimate example. Things like food, decorations, Christmas trees, and Christmas presents are not the point of Christmas, but they do remind us that this season is important and that what we are celebrating is not normal. Acting out the story of a Santa Claus, who comes to give gifts to children to celebrate the Christ Child, is an extension of this.
The Church has not condemned the Santa Claus tradition. Lying to a child who directly asks if Santa is real would be wrong and unhelpful. Play-acting a tradition that children come to understand in its fullness as they grow is not.
If he kneels before the manger and helps you adore Our Lord, then Kris Kringle can be a very real friend who helps evangelize your family. Whether or not he visits your home this Christmas, I hope the spirit of God’s generosity and providential care, which he symbolizes, fills you and your family with joy and gratitude during this holy time.