santa clause
...at they would have a dowry and not be sold into prostitution. St. Nick, better known as Santa Claus, is notorious for bringing gifts to children that are in need. Known for having a huge belly and a gigantic heart, Santa Claus brings hope to kids who are hopeless and smiles to those who have lost theirs. While snuggled in their bed, desperately trying to catch a wink of sleep, children around the world await the arrival of Santa Claus. Dressed in red and with a jolly old smile, he manages to fulfill the dreams of kids throughout millions of miles. Even though one might say that, from the moment a child is born there is probably no greater "universal truth" pounded into their head by society and culture than of the existence of a fat jolly man dressed in red who brings good little boys and girls presents each year and is rarely complete without his eight tiny reindeer. It is the one great myth that is inescapable. Stores, malls, songs, programs, teachers, relatives, as well as friends and neighbors rigorously propagate and enforce this little piece of fiction, one could argue that all children have the right to be fascinated and enchanted by the nurturing, age-old myths and fables of their culture. Santa Claus, and yes the Easter bunny and the Tooth Fairy engage a young Child’s Sense of wonder. For kids the concept of Santa Claus much more easily than they can comprehend God. At a young age, they can understand a quasi-deity who can make presents, and deliver them under magical circumstances to all of the children of the world. Santa is a type of simplified God. Once children understand how Santa works, it is a relatively simple step to abandon him and accept an omnipotent, omniscient, all-loving and all-just God. If people think that Santa Claus is just a myth or a lie and has no influence in children’s life, then I think that children should be forbidden to read Harry Potter books because they contain 'dark magic' . If children aren't allowed to indulge themselves with a little bit of magic here and there how are they ever going to be able to live in their lives as kids? The spirit of Christmas is embodied in Santa Claus - he represents the giving spirit, the kind and friendly person who gives without seeking rewards for himself. This isn't about lying to children - it's about giving them something to believe in and have a bit of fun. We as adults seriously think that if we really want to deprive children of a little bit of magic at an early age? To say that Santa is a lie is no more than saying that every imaginative story and movie is a lie to children. To take the fantasy of Santa away from a child is no worse then taking them to Disneyland and telling them that Mickey Mouse is really just a man or woman in a big costume. Santa is as much a necessary part of a developing imagination as are books, movies and dreams. To take Santa away is to condemn that child to a lifetime of emptiness, to make that child grow and believe in nothing. How are children supposed to except that there is a God that they can't see but their mom and dad tell them to believe in, if they can't first learn to believe in the fantasy character of Santa Claus? If parents truly believe that this fantasy is such a horrible lie to...