When you were a child, did you believe in Santa? Was there a lesson in faith coupled with that wonderful time?

If it's true, as the bible says, that it will take child-like faith to enter Heaven, then I believe it's this very kind of faith that gives each little child the hope of Christmas. It's up to us as parents to separate Santa from the true meaning of this special day...remembering the birth of Christ. My parents were Christians in the strictest sense, but our inclusion of Santa in our celebration didn't take one iota from Christ.

When I was small, I had great faith that Santa would come. There was a time nearing when he would come for me, in the way that each of us should look for Christ's coming. This is a great and wonderful expectation, and we will not see Christ without the faith of a child, and our remembrance of how we waited breathlessly for Santa should help us relate to our faith in Christ, now that we're adults.

We were a "poor" family, but even when Santa didn't bring my desires, things worked out. He knew we'd be satisfied with His way. So we sometimes ask amiss of Christ, and must bow to His greater will and intelligence. It's this child-like faith that I cling to in knowing that Christ will come again.

I've read of many young people who were influenced to the bad by sinful things, but I have yet to hear of any child who rejected Christ because he believed in a Santa, who represents love, joy and happiness.

Yes...I approve of the concept of "Santa Claus."