could it be...

SATAN???

At least fifty-three times this weekend people have asked Jake if he is all ready for Christmas, and tickle him while they promise that Santa is coming to give him lots and lots of presents. Well-mannered Jake politely smiles and sucks their chins.
And then there are the people who talk to Jake about how Santa isn't the reason for the season.

Dave and I never considered not allowing Jake to believe in Santa Claus. It is a fun part of growing up, until your entire world comes crashing down on you and leaves you amist the rubble of societal lies and parental deceit, of course. But until then- total awesomeness. Plates of cookies left out (plus carrots for the reindeer), dreaming about the workshop, and writing letters to Santa are some of the best parts of Christmas for children.

When we were little, Santa was everywhere and everything to everybody this time of year. He knew when we were sleeping, when we were good, and whether we were pinching our brother when Mom wasn't looking. He saw our report cards, our messy rooms, our unfinished dinners, and I was convinced that he could even watch me in the bathroom, if he was so inclined, so I better not misbehave even there in fear of my Barbie being downgraded from Malibu to regular. Even my best friend Jenny who was Jewish was good for goodness sake, even though her Santa went by the name of Harry, and we were all okay with that.

Wherever we turned we saw Santa. Santa came to our classroom and to Sunday School, there was the mall Santas, Salvation Army Santas, Santas, Santas, Santas, and I loved it and I was good. I never confused Santa with Jesus, nor do I remember anyone else doing so. Definitely two different guys. As far as I know Santa never slept in a manger or saved mankind, and Jesus never got grey hair or played around in the chimney.
These days it seems like everywhere I go Santa is the devil (seriously, Google "Satan Santa" and see what you get) and Christmas is falling into the hands of the militant because they feel that there is no Christ in Christmas anymore.
There were tracts in the subway this morning revealing that Santa is a farce, right out where the kiddies can see them.
I have a lady at work who proclaims that Christians who celebrate 'American Christmas' are guilty of sin, in accordance to 'true Christian law'. Whatever that is. I guess she should know since she is pretty high up in the Baptist church circuit here in Philly. She keeps books at work about this crap. At work!
People who celebrate Christmas but not Christ are made to feel guilty about sharing in the holiday, and I can't even get into Target without being assaulted by some sort of Coalition member shoving flyers into my face, pleading with me to renounce a secular holiday celebration with trees (pagan) and elves (demons) and Santa dressed in devil's red, telling me that I am sure to be damned if I write Christmas with an X, or wish someone a Happy Holiday rather than a Merry Christmas. That isn't how it works according to that Bible you are hitting me on the head with, sir. Trust me, I know, I've read it. If you want to harass shoppers, Walmart is on the other side of I95. People are used to it there. I'm just here to pick up some Enfamil and socks.

I guess that maybe this animosity towards tradition has always been around and I was sheltered from it when I was younger, but it is so sad to think of my poor baby being told that he is going straight to Hell if he doesn't follow the masses to church on Christmas morning because his mommy and daddy chose to have some family time by the tree or that he is doomed because instead of going to the Christmas Eve service he goes to his grandma's house for pie and presents. It must be true, because that is what a very holy co-worker told me last Christmas when I didn't drag my fat pregnant self to mass last year. God understands. He's been to church in South Philly on a holiday. There is hardly room to stand but for the floor length fur coats and the huge diamond rings. And that's just what the men are sporting. You should see the gay apparel that the ladies don.

Some day soon I might have to explain to little Jake that despite what the crazy lady down the street says, the Christmas tree isn't demonic, even if it does hail to the 12 Rauhnächte, back in the times before Jesus. The decorations aren't horrifying just because red (blood) and green (nature) are the sacred colors of the ancient Druids. And the star at the top of the tree isn't supposed to be a pentacle, no matter how witchy your mother gets around the holidays.

But my Christmas cookies? Now they are down-right full-of-sin good. Bring on the badness. And a glass of milk, please.