Mommy is Santa Clause Real?

The Dilemma All Parents Face

“Mommy, is Santa Claus real?” my four-year-old asked me.

Oh boy.

This question is always tricky for me. I want to nurture the magic of childhood and imagination without lying to my kids. I want them to know they can trust what I tell them. But is it really lying if we are just encouraging their own imagination?

Honestly, I still go back and forth about whether we should “do Santa” in our house or not. People have strong opinions on both sides, and I find myself bouncing between them. Anyone else?

It’s also hard not to believe in Santa when most Christmas movies and songs revolve around him, the North Pole, and elves. And truly—there’s nothing wrong with a fun, imaginative story that adds wonder to the season. I want my kids to have that magic. I don’t want to be a killjoy!

But the story of the birth of God’s Son—through a virgin, in a barn, welcomed by angels, kings, and humble shepherds—that story is even more magical because it’s true. I just don’t want Jesus to get replaced by Santa. God came to be with us, to save us, and give us eternal hope. Now that is an epic, incredible story worth singing about and retelling.

And I can't help but feel like our culture has slowly downplayed the story of Jesus and made Santa's legend more important.

Kids Have Their Own Perspectives

My internal debate was interrupted when my son answered for me:

“There was a real Santa named St. Nicholas, but he’s in heaven now.”

I agreed and explained:“And now other men dress up like Santa with white beards and give away gifts. That’s who we take pictures with.”

My daughter shrugged.“Oh. Well, I believe Santa comes down the chimney and gives me presents.”

Fair enough.

"That is perfectly OK," I told her. "But, I want to tell you one more thing about Santa. The original St. Nicholas actually told everyone that Jesus is the one that makes Christmas so special. He was a Bishop, which is kind of like a pastor."

"Really?" Both of my kids exclaimed. "What was he really like? Did he live in the North Pole?"

Now that question gave me pause. I knew he didn't live in the North Pole or have elves, but I really didn't know much about the man or the true story. So I decided to do a little research.

Who was the original St. Nicholas?

A Bishop in Ancient Turkey

To meet the original St. Nicholas, rewind to around 300 A.D. in the city of Myra, in what is now Turkey. Nicholas was a Greek bishop who served in a beautiful stone church overlooking the sea.

His wealthy parents had died during an epidemic. After their death, Nicholas used his inheritance to help the poor and needy.

A Legacy of Radical Generosity

One legend of St. Nicholas' generosity gave rise when he paid the wedding dowries for three poor sisters. The girls were about to be forced into prostitution, with no other means to pay for their expenses. Nicholas allegedly threw a red velvet bag full of gold through the window and saved them from that fate.

In other stories, he is said to have left gold coins for poverty-stricken families inside of shoes or socks drying by the fireplace.

St. Nicholas gave financially because he wanted people to know the love of Jesus. He didn't want to just preach it, he wanted to demonstrate it.

One author put it this way, "Jesus’ concern for people’s physical and material needs is one of the things that set him apart from the spiritual leaders of his time. He wasn’t just interested in the spiritual well-being of people; he was interested in the whole person. Nicholas understood that. He understood that it is hard to listen to the Word of God if you are hungry and thirsty. He realized that it is even difficult to believe in God if your children are dying of hunger."

He gave because he believed it would bring people closer to God.

But old Nick's life wasn't all candy canes and gum drops either.

Faith Under Fire

Under the Roman emperor Diocletian, Christianity was outlawed and St Nicholas was imprisoned and probably tortured for his faith. But when Constantine the Great came into power, he made Christianity legal, freeing Nicholas to preach without consequence.

St. Nicholas was a man who fiercely stood for his convictions. Not only was he willing to give away his wealth and face torture for his faith. He was willing to publicly call out false doctrine.

He is said to have attended the Council of Nicea, which was a critical meeting for the foundation of the Christian faith, determining essential doctrines and canonizing the Bible. At the Council of Nicea, when one man named Arius claimed that Jesus was not actually the Son of God, St. Nicholas actually stood up and slapped Arius, landing Nicholas an assault charge with more jail time.

What St. Nicholas Never Intended

While many details of his life blend history and legend, one thing is sure: Nicholas never intended to replace Jesus at Christmas.

He dedicated his life to teaching Scripture, helping the poor, and pointing people to Christ. I imagine he’d be saddened to know his name is sometimes spoken more than Jesus’ during the season meant to celebrate Jesus’ birth. He wanted Christmas to be about giving and helping those in need, because that is what God does for us, not because he wanted to become a god-like figure who is all-knowing and determines which children are good or bad.

Keeping the Right Kind of Christmas Magic

I don’t think it’s wrong to enjoy Santa stories or have fun with Christmas legends. But it is important for our kids to know that even the original “Santa” worshipped Jesus.

The nativity should always be the most magical part of Christmas.It truly is the greatest gift—Emmanuel: God with us.

In the end, the story of St. Nicholas can remind us that every aspect of our Christmas tradition can and should point to Jesus. His generosity is a reflection of the heart of God. So as we talk with our kids—whether about chimneys, stockings, or shepherds—may we use every moment to point their hearts toward the One Christmas is really about. Santa can add fun and imagination to the season, but Jesus is the true miracle worth celebrating.

*Edits by Chat GPT

Sources:

Discovery Channel Expedition Unknown: St Nicholas

Brittanica, "Biography of Saint Nicholas"

Dynamic Catholic, "All About Saint Nicholas"