To Claus or Not to Claus

By John McNeal

Have you ever seen the movie “The Christmas Story” by Jean Shepherd?  It is the semi-fictional story of a small-town American family that lived in Hohman, Indiana in the late 1940’s. Throughout the story, the main character “Ralphie” tries to convince everyone that he needs a Red Ryder BB gun. Can you picture Ralphie and his brother bundled up in their winter gear to face the open cold? How about the first time you saw Ralphie getting to eat his favorite soap? I really enjoy that movie. I try to watch it every year because it reminds me a lot about my past. Yes, I went to great lengths to get a BB gun, and I still have pictures of my brother David and I dressed like Ralphie’s brother to face the frigid, northern Illinois temperatures. Last but not least, I imagine Dial soap tastes about the same as Lifebuoy soap. I guess the only real differences between my childhood experience and Ralphie’s, besides the fact that his made it into the movies and mine didn’t, are that my father never won a leg lamp and I never got to beat up my bully.

I guess the only real difference between Ralphie and I at that age was that he believed he could still turn to Santa Claus for the Red Ryder BB gun where I did not. When I was seven, a few of us kids were sitting around thinking up what we wanted for Christmas. It was not too long after the discussion that a friend broke his silence about the “big lie.” As a seven year old, I could not believe that my parents would lie to me. So, I told my friend that he was lying; I would prove to him that there was such a person. Once I could corner both my parents, I asked them for the truth. I felt shocked and dismayed by their response, especially when they told us little kids not to lie. I guess that just proves that parents aren’t perfect after all.

Now that my son is two, he is in the beginning stages of the discovery of Christmas. This brings me to the question of whether “To Claus or Not to Claus.” After much discussion, my wife and I have decided not to Claus. Some of my friends and family are thrown for a loop by this decision. They think it is cruel to leave out a great tradition at Christmas. After all, Santa is the reason for the season, right? Well, that is what most retailers would say. In most cases, retailers believe that if they can just hang on until January 1, they will be able to make it out of the red. What most people don’t know is that retailers make as much money from returns as they did when the items were first purchased. But that’s another lesson for another day.  

The one thing I don’t want to project upon my son is belief in a false deity to whom he will be totally subservient to and then be crushed when he finds out that he has believed in a lie. I’m certain we will have to explain to our son that the modern-day fictional Santa originates from the historical Saint Nicholas. Of course, I’m sure he will hear about the different versions of Santa Claus and his Christmas gift-giving as practiced by countries throughout the world as well.  We will simply be sure to present them as fun stories, not as literal truth.

My wife and I decided to look at Christmas as a way to show our son, and those that might come after him, the true reason for the season. It will be a way we can surround him in truth. We believe that this is the best time to be truthful to our children and help them understand about the greatest gift ever given to humanity. This type of love is easier to explain than trying to explain away the lie that they could harbor for years.

I know what you’re thinking, “Santa Claus is part of the tradition of Christmas. You can’t have Christmas without Santa Claus!” That’s just it; the World is so wrapped up in tradition that they have almost forgotten what Christmas is all about. It seems like people worry more about holiday sales, Christmas parties, and the jolly man in the red suit; instead of the true reason for the season. Of course, a tradition cannot be that good if the fabrication of that tradition is based upon a lie.

Unlike Ralphie, I never got my Red Ryder BB Gun with the compass in the stock.  But, I did get a 20 gauge shotgun when I was twelve. As I reflect back, I can still hear the cliché in my parents’ voices: “John, you’d better behave or Santa Claus will bring you a bucket of coal.” At least my son, Josiah will not have to believe in a lie about a man in a red cap that can climb down chimneys.  

So, the next time someone says to you, “Happy Holidays,” I double-dog dare you to tell them what Christmas is really about. Then, wish them a Merry Christmas.

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