The gospel according to Elvis

In effort to get as much "into" the Christmas season as possible, which is seemly shorter every year, I've been leaving Christmas music playing in the house, almost 24 hours a day. I really enjoy it and the kids do too. Everything feels more festive with Christmas music going.

But there is a song that is really driving me crazy this year. Its not a new song, its been around like, forever. Actually the version I keep hearing on Pandora is Elvis! (Though he didn't write it.) Its the "Here comes Santa Clause, here comes Santa Clause right down Santa Clause lane"... you know the one. You're singing it in your head now aren't you? Ok good.

Part of that song says "Peace on earth, good will to men, if you just follow the light." Ok, that sounds good. But read this carefully, "Santa knows we're all God's children, that makes everything right. Lets give thanks to the Lord above, 'cause Santa Clause is coming tonight" Uuhhhh... ? No. I'm not okay with that. I mean, I'm not expecting sound Biblical doctrine from Elvis at Christmastime but... seriously?

Its got me thinking.

I'm not an ultra-conservative person. No, my kids don't believe in Santa and never have, but I'm not like, anti-Santa or anything. We watch Dr Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas and the clay-mation version of Rudolph every year. We have wrapping paper with elves saying "don't open til december 25th!" on it because I thought it was really cute. And again, I realize this is just another silly Christmas song. But thanking God that Santa is coming? I'm sorry, I have to draw a line there.

I can't help but think of it this way: If the enemy were to try to use something to deter us from celebrating the true miracle that was the birth of Jesus, what would it be? Maybe some other figure. Not something scary, people wouldn't go for that. (Although I think Elf on the Shelf is just plain freaky, but I think that's just me!) It would have to be something or someone happy. Jolly. That even (if not especially) children would love. What a perfect way to take the focus off of Christ.

And I'm not referring to the origins of Chris Kringle or St Nicholas or who ever. I'm talking about the figure of Santa today. What does Jesus think about Santa? I really really really am not judging anyone for teaching their kids that there's a Santa. Its totally your call. And I'm not trying to be legalistic. I'm just posing the question. At every mention of Santa are we missing an opportunity to speak the name of Christ to our children?

My kids know I buy most of their gifts. Ashley and Emily, just now being old enough to understand, bought all of their family members gifts this year as well. (From the dollar store. The one where everything is actually one dollar :) I love that place.) We've been talking about how Christmas is Jesus' birthday, but since He rose from the grave and lives in those who believe in Him, we give presents to one another, because its like giving presents to Jesus, who lives inside us!

I'm always trying to grow my family. I don't want to slip into parenting auto-pilot and do what everyone else is doing, but I want to parent with purpose. To raise my children as end time warriors for the Lord. Not to live as this world does and not to be desensitized by media that surrounds us.

Lord, I pray that in these last days, that You alone would be glorified. That we would teach our children to rightly divide truth. And that we can all experience the childlike wonder of Christmas when we learn of the birth of the Savior of the world- Your son, Jesus.