Conrad has been so much fun lately!
We were walking through the store and he started saying, "Mmmmmmeat!" No particular reason except I'd told him that was why we were there. We'd already picked up the sausage for dinner, but he was relishing the word. We played with it back and forth: Meeeeeeat! meat (whispered) Muhmuhmuh eeeat!
He is in that parrot stage.
Just after dinner, Mike looked across the table and said, "Thank you, Dear." I said, "You're welcome."
Conrad said, "Tankooo ear!"
He had to say it a few times before we could figure it out.
Figuring out a standard two year old is not the simplest task. They have that language all their own. At least he isn't a twin.
However, this particular two year old is becoming Tri-lingual. Aside from English and American Sign, he's also got Spanish going.
I think it was about a month before we figured out he was saying, "?Que es?" (What is it?)
He would pick up a random object and say, "Kee izz?"
I was trying to figure out why everything was sudden a Keeiz!
("What's he saying?" "I don't know, but he picks up almost everything and calls it that...")

You can ask him, "Donde esta el musco?" and he'll point to his runny nose.
"Donde esta Daddy?" He'll point to Mike.

You can say, "Hasta manana," and he'll say, "Bye-bye!" or "Mannanana."

Once, Dora (who watches him) was cooking plantains. The kids love bananas. He asked, "Banana peeease?"
She said, "No hay. Es un plantain."
He said, "Por favor, Banana?"

Yeah... he knows one of those languages should get him what he wants!

Spoiler Alert: This post issues with topics related to Santa.


I've been thinking quite a bit about Santa. Since I spend at least 7 hours a day with 25 children around the age of 10, I've had plenty of experience with the varying degrees of faith kids put in the little bearded guy.
I just wonder why parents want their children to have faith in him.
Let's look at the information we have:

Wears a red suit with fur lining
Goes down chimneys
Delivers toys to good kids
Delivers Coal to naught kids
Has a workshop with lots of little elves who work on those toys year-round
Is married
Flies in a sleigh carried by flying reindeer
Reaches every house in the world in one night
Is omnipotent (he knows who is naughty or nice) or at least all-seeing
Likes cookies and milk

I forgot how embedded the guy is in kids minds until a boy in 2nd grade said, "I didn't get my list in the mail. I think I'll just be happy with what he gives me," and was very matter-of-fact about it. I suggested email. Santa must have email by now.
So, why is it, if parents can encourage so much faith in this fictional character, they can not see the simple faith they need to believe in Jesus?
It truly is the "faith of a child" to truly believe in Christ, so why not look at it from that perspective.
Let's compare the two for a moment.
Santa: There is no getting off that "naughty" list. He checks it only twice and if you're on the wrong one by Dec 24, you'd better start thinking of the new benefits of coal. There is no form of communicating or explaining how or why you're on the naughty list.
Jesus: Is always checking that list and doesn't keep track of those 'naughty' things. Sure, we need to recognize the harm our naughty actions do, but at least you can talk to the guy.

Santa: Only comes once a year and is only available through mail (email access has not been confirmed)
Jesus: Available year-round, any time, anyplace

Santa: Gives gifts for good boys and girls.
Jesus: This one can be very theologically tricky. I don't want to make it too deep. Doesn't really hand out gifts like Santa. "It rains on the righteous and the unrighteous," right? So, sure, good things happen to good people, but so do the bad. Believing in him doesn't mean you'll be more successful than someone who doesn't. Maybe it just means you will feel different about your success... or failure.

So, parents, what is the problem in encouraging your child to believe in someone who seeks them out to love and care for them, is available year-round and wants nothing but good things for them? It seems a lot better than some guy who is only available once a year, has a list, and in whom children eventually lose faith? Actually, the image of Santa reminds me a lot of who people think God is: that Big White-haired Man who looks for our faults and yells at us for them and the only way to please him is to be a good boy or girl.

I know there are plenty out there who could call me a Scrooge about this. I know, I'm pretty much saying I don't have faith in Santa. In society today, that seems horrendous. Its like I'm on track to becoming a new family PG rated movie about that poor doubting person who just needs a little more faith in her life to believe in Santa.

But look at what that movie would really tell kids, "Believe in something that brings others joy. Believe miracles can happen. Believe in the idea there is hope, joy and kindness in the world." Why does that message need to come from Santa? That message appeared long before Santa.

I do have faith. I just choose to put it in something more substantial.

Have a Merry Christmas.