I Believe In Santa's Cause

Between the details of the nativity and Santa, Ava is, of course, confused. Lately she spends her days asking question after question:

Where was Jesus born? Can we go see him?
Can we go to the north pole? Can't we just take an airplane to get there?
Why does this Santa have glasses? There are two Santas?
Will Jesus get me a present for Christmas?

Each question is followed by a lengthy discussion, leading to more questions. It's a lot for a 3 year-old to wrap her mind around, and I don't necessarily have answers that make sense for her. Sometimes, I worry she's being overly confused and manipulated with the stories, but also enjoy watching the wheels turn in her brain as she works it out. There is nothing sweeter than to witness her trying her hardest to land on Santa's nice list, not only to get the goods on Christmas morning, but because she believes it "makes Jesus' heart happy."

My earliest Christmas memories most often include the Statler Brothers playing in the background. If you didn't grow up listening to this music, it might not be your first choice, but I have a special place in my heart for their Christmas songs. As I watch Ava trying to make sense of Christmas, I think about the words to their song, "I Believe in Santa's Cause," which basically says that whatever you believe or disbelieve, there is no doubting the magic Santa brings to a child's life. So with all the confusion, I think that whether your focus is on Christ's birth or Santa, the overall message of Christmas is about being kind and generous to family, friends, and strangers. And that's good.