About this time in December seventeen years ago, I went to tuck our youngest daughter Karlyn into bed. “Dad,” she said seriously, “I want to ask you a question.” “Of course,” I replied. “Is Santa Claus real?” This caught me off guard and without Susan by my side, I wanted to be careful, so I ended up stammering around with some type of non-answer.
Karlyn is just like her mother… brutally honest and quite perceptive. “Dad,” the five-year-old said firmly, “Tell me the truth; is Santa real?” I realized this was an important moment for my little girl. “Honey, your mom and I play the role of Santa Claus.” Karlyn stared at me a moment then said something I shall never forget: “Dad, don’t you ever lie to me again.”
John Turner was a little older when he asked the same question. While John has lived with us most of his life, he still has an important relationship with his mom and her ex-husband, Roger, who loves John as a son. John spends most holidays with these extended families, so we have always wanted to respect traditions and we soon learned that Santa Claus was a very important part of Christmas.
My answer to John’s question went something like this: “Do you remember the ‘Lion, Witch, and Wardrobe’ movie? (This is one of our favorites.) Do you believe Aslan is real?” John thought a minute and replied, “Well… I don’t think a lion can talk, so I don’t guess Aslan is real.” I disagreed: “Aslan is real, because in the movie and the book Aslan represents Jesus… and Jesus is real.”
“But I asked about Santa Claus,” John reminded me. “Yes. Do you remember in the movie that Santa Claus (called Father Christmas by C S Lewis) appears and gives Peter, Susan, and Lucy gifts?” “I remember,” answered John. “Well, in the same way Aslan is real as he represents Jesus, so Santa Claus is real in the way he represents moms and dads and loved ones who give gifts and spread love at Christmas time.”
Young John looked curiously into my eyes and summarized: “So… Santa Claus is real.” I thought a second and concluded: “Yes, I think Santa Claus is real.”
Taylor and Emma will get to decide how to answer the tough questions of life for little Wilkes, but until then (and beyond) I pray wonder, joy, and a big smile will rule the day.
Merry Christmas!!
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a Son, and will call Him Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14
“For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end.” Isaiah 9:6-7