Growing up, Santa wasn’t always such a jolly seeming fellow. He had a bit of an authoritarian streak, actually. I had to be “good”, had to tidy away my toys and had to go to bed on time every night without quibbles or I’d be one of the unlucky children. Rumour had it that he didn’t bother coming to “naughty” children or children who doubted in him at all. So questions about his authenticity were immediately quashed by my mind just as quickly as they surfaced and I was forever looking over my shoulder because he was somehow always watching me to check I was behaving myself. December was a confusing time and every Christmas morning I would be shaking with a mixture of unparalleled excitement and the unshakeable fear that he might not have come this year after all. But, Santa always came through for me. So he mustn’t have minded that I shoved the cat down a full flight of stairs when I was 8 or that I regularly stuck my tongue out behind my mother’s back. Maybe he was busy the time I told the neighbourhood toddlers terrifying ghost stories and they didn’t sleep for a week, or every time I told my best friend that she was fat and/or smelly when we fell out. In fact, the year a school friend head-butted me full force in the face and bust my nose/lip he even gifted said friend with a top of the range bike. Maybe, just maybe, the rumours weren’t entirely accurate.
As an adult, looking back, I can see that maybe I had Santa all wrong. Of course Santa knows that all children are good. He loves children. His whole life is dedicated to the pure joy of Christmas, which is never more magical than in Childhood. He is devoted to children, whether they’ve forgotten to tidy their rooms or they’ve lashed out and hurt someone. Santa knows, like many of us do, that all Children are good and he understands that too many of them suffer and act out.
Unfortunately, most grown-ups haven’t been blessed with the kind of self-awareness and selflessness that makes Mr. Claus an almost entirely unique individual. Many use Santa in the way they use a great many positive experiences in life, as a way to easily control children when they are feeling stressed and out of their depth. Too many grew up suffering a similar kind of authoritarian control and are simply passing on what they know, without ever really questioning why. Santa’s message has been distorted, but never yet lost. Even the most mis-guided of grown-ups will welcome Santa with open arms each year regardless of what little Ronnie or Reginald has been getting up to. Big or small, his gifts are welcomed and year after year parents delight in their children’s joy as waves of giddy nostalgia wash over them. And so, he keeps on coming.
Wouldn’t it be nice, though, if Santa had a little more appreciation? For he gives each year without hope or agenda, he struggles through with the love of all children in mind and he cares not for the mistakes we have made. Maybe we can try to remember what it is that he does and why his message matters so much.
This Christmas, let’s take a minute to remember. It isn’t about how much you spend, what you buy or how well behaved your little ones are. It’s about love, giving and community. Maybe this year, we could all spend a little less, give a little more and share with those less fortunate than ourselves. This year, my family have been hoping to spread the magic of Santa by anonymously giving away some of our toys to other children who will give them a good home. Children who need Santa that little bit more. This year, and every year, it’s my wish that we will help to keep the magic, and the true meaning of Santa, alive.
