by Paul Schingle

Created on: April 22, 2009

If this question were worded slightly differently, I suppose I could see an argument for writing for either side of this debate. I don't see where there is any particular harm in continuing the myth of Santa Claus. It can be used as a sort of example of generosity of spirit and kindness towards others-particularly those less fortunate. However, that isn't the way the question is worded. And, being worded the way that it is, I don't really see anything about this particular myth that is, what I'd call, "good."

I've written this before, and I'll say it again. I'm not a very religious person. That said, if I was a particularly religious person, then I'd go further and say that teaching the myth of Santa Claus is downright bad for children. If one is of a religious bent, then why would one ever want to perpetuate this story? For the religious-minded, Christmas is supposed to be about the birth of Jesus. To the minds of these people, this birth is significant because it was the beginnning of a life of a person many have deemed "God on earth." With the Santa Claus myth there is a tendency to look forward to Christmas for reasons that are wholly "un-Christian."

Even ignoring the religious aspect of Christmas and forgetting about the (unfortunate) commercial aspect, I still see no particularly positive value to the Santa Claus myth. Most myths are based, at least somewhat, in fact. If the person that has become known as St Nicholas (Santa Claus) did, in fact, exist, then I see no problem with relating that story. The story there is about a man who distributed gifts to the poor at Christmas time. He did this because, he knew the tradition of trading gifts during the season and wanted less fortunate children to be able to enjoy the custom as well. It was totally selfless and, assuming it's at least partially true, is a positive example. The whole story about the guy coming down the chimney and delivering gifts, only to the "good" children, is really just a cheap ploy for parents to get their children to behave. Using this story for that end goal can be more a functioning of bad parenting than anything else.

Again, I don't see any real harm in spreading the Santa Claus myth, even if you include the whole "down the chimney" bit. If that's a way to get the kids excited for Christmas, more power to you. I think, however, if you really want to teach children about generosity of spirit (with or without the religious overtones) there are better ways to go about it. Gather up some food and, in the spirit of St. Nicholas, deliver it to a homeless shelter. Take the kids along. It will be a valuable lesson in many ways-for all concerned.

Like I said, if you want to tell the whole "down-the-chimney" story, I wouldn't say it was particularly harmful. But, being that the question is worded the way it is, I can't think of any part of that brand of the Santa Claus myth that is particularly "good" either.

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