by Jo Ann Wentzel

Created on: November 20, 2009   Last Updated: November 22, 2009

I can see no harm in letting children believe in Santa Claus as long as they wish. Santa Claus is an idea. Santa Claus is a belief in goodness. Santa Claus represents all that is loving and giving in a child's mind. The idea that Santa Claus would travel by reindeer and enter their chimney, at children's homes to leave gifts and fill stockings is a wonderful fantasy. Where is the harm?

Santa Claus helps to explain why children cannot have everything. They need to share Santa with the entire world. The myth of Santa Clause creates an atmosphere of hope and expectation. Who is more excited than a child waiting for Santa? The Santa Claus myth should not be the only reason for Christmas. In addition to this myth children should be taught the Bible story of the holy birth.

Children nowadays are too soon expected to adopt the manner and maturity of an adult. We need children to have a longer childhood, not a shorter one. We need children to have a life filled with magic and fun. Those first years of life are so special for we adults as we enjoy our children growing, so why not let them enjoy that same feeling for as long as possible. Why would anyone feel a child's belief in Santa clause to be harmful?

When we take away old childhood beliefs, we become very unhappy adults. We are unable see the world from a child's point of view, which is really quite valuable to retain a magical and healthy imagination. Why is it wrong if a child wishes to believe in the Easter Bunny or Santa Claus or the tooth fairy? Why do adults feel they must keep their children from enjoying these myths, and using their God-given imagination?

Some adults still believe in Santa Claus, or at least, what Santa Claus represents. There is nothing wrong with this viewpoint, because the idea of Santa Claus came to us from the beginning of a good man, who did good things for people. We need to have a more forgiving and loving outlook for the holidays. Although Christmas is a time to celebrate our Lord's birth and honor his memory it is also a time when many people feel stressed or sad or lonely. Santa Claus and what he represents gives hope to those who need it. Santa Claus allows children and adults to believe in a wonderful concept, which should not need to be explained or be refuted. Let children be children. Let those who wish to believe be allowed to believe. It does no harm. It only does good things. As long as Santa Claus exists with the belief of Jesus Christ and that Christmas is his birth date. There is nothing that is going to hurt anyone.

Children need to stay little, as long as possible, because when they grow up too fast; they have missed the important steps of maturity each one on its own timeline. To not let children be children and think with a child's heart is wrong. When children do not experience each level of growing up their personality is often affected. We find that those children that were not allowed to be children have serious problems when they need to function as an adult. Children with shortened childhoods are never quite ready for adult responsibility. Children need to retain their idea of a loving person who visits children on this special day of the year to learn about caring for others and the art of giving. Couple this with the significance of the Savior's birth and your child will grow up loving and caring and ready to show others the magic of Christmas.

Learn more about this author, Jo Ann Wentzel.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.