Santa Claus vs. Jesus

I never realized how stressful it is to keep Santa's identity a secret.  My son is now at the age where he knows who Santa Claus is and what he does.  And like any good parent, I don't want to spoil anything for him.  But, my son is just too smart...so I have to outsmart him.  

How can Santa Claus be at the mall, at his school, and on every TV commercial at the same time?

If Santa brings the presents, why do we go Christmas shopping?  

Why are the gifts wrapped in the wrapping paper that's been in the closet since last year?  

How does Santa come in the house if we have no chimney?  

Why do we need to donate toys to needy children if Santa delivers toys to all good children?

And then, how do you explain that Christmas is to celebrate the birth of baby Jesus, yet the star of the show seems to be Santa Claus?  I'll tell you what I told my son...

Jesus and Santa Claus are "best buddies".  All year, Jesus gives us gifts...like the baby sister that we just received.  But for Jesus' birthday, Santa Claus gives him a rest and he takes over giving presents for just that one day.

And for this reason, we will not only put out cookies & milk for Santa Claus, we will also bake a birthday cake for Jesus and sing Happy Birthday to him.

In the meantime, my husband and I carefully track our hiding spots so that wrapping paper and presents are never found and Christmas shopping is done when my son is in school.  It almost feels like a CIA operation.  That's because the stakes are high.  The chance of shattering my son's Christmas spirit is unimagineable, and I will do anything I can to keep him forever young.

Merry Christmas

-Barbara-