I am not sure where to begin with this picture I found on the web. Someone has way too much time on their hands.

I guess by this guy’s examination I am a promoter of Satan in my house because my kids believe in Santa. Too be honest we play along, just last night I was on the phone with Santa making sure my kid’s lists were in. We also took them to see Satan (I mean Santa) at the mall, they sat one his lap and they got their pictures taken with him.

Now onto something more serious – I grew up believing in Santa, my dad made boot prints in the fireplace ashes and I loved it and still do. My dad showed how much he cared and loved us by making Christmas magical. Don’t get me wrong, we still read the biblical Christmas story and as I grew up I understood why Santa wasn’t real (I don’t think I suffered psychological damage as a result – although others may disagree).

But let’s get down to brass tacks… “Santa” may be “Satan” with the letters rearranged and a sign of commercialism at Christmas, but he is a simply product of the Coca-Cola company and not a vast conspiracy of Satanists (I actually think Satan is much more subtle and deceptive then that).

I think in some small way, I am teaching my kids something about wonder, imagination and belief. They still understand the nativity and we treat Christmas as an important part of our Christian faith and heritage, but I still think Santa is fun and my kids think it is fun. And this year they will get some gifts from Santa and I will eat the Christmas cookies and Coke they leave out and I try and make Christmas magical and meaningful.

And if you disagree, and before you get your shirt in a knot, think about all we celebrate and embrace, even in the most conservative of Christian homes, at Christmas that isn’t that biblical. Christmas trees, gluttony, stockings, and even our nativity scenes with the Magi in it (they most likely arrived when Jesus was two rather then with the shepherds at the manger).

All of that being said…if someone or some family decides to boycott Santa, I respect that. But I have even more respect for someone who boycotts commercialism altogether at Christmas (Unless I usually get a gift from them – tongue and cheek).

P.S. Santa my list still includes: Xbox 360, $$$ for books, Ipod, and a Motorola Razer cell phone.
P.P.S. Santa demolishs Satan on Google Fight (258,000,000 to 13,900,000).