Faith of a Child

My first-born was taught right from the start that Santa Clause isn't real. And that God was. She believed me.

Well, my second child is told by her sister that Santa isn't real, but she doesn't really care - she believes anyhow. I've also told her that although there was a man long ago named Kris Kringle who gave gifts to children (not sure of the exact story here, but my best abridged version), he no longer lives, and Santa Clause is not real, just pretend. She hears me.

But yesterday at a restaurant, when walking by a real-looking Santa, Clara turned to me and said, "There's a real Santa Clause!"

We then let her sit on his lap, and he was a really kind grandpa, very sweet. He talked to her, asked her how old she was, and what she wanted for Christmas, and Clara did not know what to tell him. She's told me what she wishes for, but I don't think she was prepared for that question. She was so happy to be with a real Santa Clause that she didn't care about a gift.

I still think kids should know Santa isn't real and God is. I do believe that. They need to know we aren't lying to them about God's existence.

But I do love her child-like faith.