The Catholic Bah Humbug Award Goes to Vox Nova

and their contributor Blackadder today. Blackadder is one VOX NOVA's more conservative contributors who I am usually in agreement with. Not today with his post No Virginia, There is No Santa Claus.

The theme seems to be "Look I was told Santa was not real and it is lying it is wrong!!!" Bah Humbug. I have never investigated this point but I do wonder if Jewish Children had fun harmless legends and fairy tales they were entertained by in Christ's time. If so did Jesus interrupt all this conversation and say no it is a big fat lie.? Maybe he did but I have huge personal doubts. It is a harmless fairytale. Once I start hearing vast number pf priests urging parents to go to confession for "deceiving" their children I might consider changing my mind :)

There are many valid concerns that get wrapped up in this. For instance that Santa Claus takes away from the celebration of Christ birth.

I truly think that if you are a Catholic or are a Protestant Christian in a Liturgical tradition you have a ton of tools to combat this without throwing Santa back up through the Chimney.

The Season of Advent and the numerous traditions and activities as well as the excitement of the approaching Midnight Mass and the various traditions of the CHRISTMAS Season all can be used here.

In the end it is your choice of course. However I did have a relative that decided to inform all her children Santa was not real. Needless to say the Grandparents were not pleased. First one has to deal with and dance around events where all the their kids are gathered and the Pro- Santa Family Kids are gathered.

Second and I think this is important. Family is about tradition and passing on traditions. I am not sure my nieces and nephews "realistic view" of St Nick was really worth the negating the joy of aunts and uncles and most important grandparents doing the Santa thing with their grand kids. No trips to the mall to take the picture, no excited shouts to the kids at the Christmas Parade that Santa is about to show any second, no passing down stories. This is all important and one reason adults need Santa. They , who still have great memories of "Santa Claus " and seem to be the no worse for it want to pass it down and sort of re live it.

I suppose in this day and age when kids starting getting on the Internet earlier and earlier the Santa thing is tough to maintain. Once they put in "Santa" into Google the gig is up (Or if you have a different viewpoint parents have to get a lot more creative all of a sudden which is part of the fun ).

However there are too many "American Traditions" I note that are getting tossed. Sometimes people cite this as an American tradition like it was curse word. It is helpful to have these things at times and SANTA has some variations in the American community.

Anyway their your own kids but I would think a little before throwing Santa to the trashcan.