Article December 9, 1972 Issue

The Children's Christmas

VIRGINIA A. MILLER

One Christmas season I was indignantly confronted by my small daughter, who demanded, "Mama, tell me the truth. Is there a Santa Claus, or isn't there?" Of course, I had to admit that Santa Claus, like fairies and elves, is an imaginary figure.

In an article entitled "Christmas for the Children," Mrs. Eddy points out that it is right for children to have a happy time at Christmas but that they should not be taught to believe in Santa Claus. She writes: "A deceit or falsehood is never wise. Too much cannot be done towards guarding and guiding well the germinating and inclining thought of childhood."^{The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 261;}

Why is it that so many of us continue to perpetuate the myth of Santa Claus? Can a myth really add to the joys of the season? Of course not. It is no more natural to teach a child to believe a myth about who brings gifts at Christmas time than it is to teach him a falsehood about any other subject. Truth is always more attractive and satisfying than fantasy.

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