Lies we tell our children

It seems to me that there is something profoundly wrong about the lead-up to Christmas. Every year, starting weeks or even months before the big day, millions of parents across the globe perpetrate a great falsehood on their impressionable children, leading them to believe in the existence of a certain man with supernatural powers. The youngsters are told that they should be good, for goodness sake, since this mysterious man, the ultimate arbiter of who is naughty and who is nice, is constantly watching and can be relied upon to bestow gifts on those deemed worthy and withhold them from the unfortunate remainder. This lie has major advantages as far as the parents are concerned, not least of which being that while their offspring know mommy and daddy aren’t omniscient, good behavior is still assured because little Billy and Suzy are under the impression that there is someone out there scrutinizing their every move. This ability to detect even the most covert act of naughtiness cannot be in doubt, since the kids are told that the big guy knows when each of them is sleeping, or conversely, when he or she happens to be awake. Indeed, the normal limitation of physics don’t seem to apply to him at all, or at least, they don’t hinder his ability to judge and distribute each person’s just reward. The giant deceit is supported by elaborate subterfuge that even includes specially decorated areas, complete with actors, where the children are told that their requests will be heard. Although the truth may be revealed later in life, children are induced to adhere to a model of approved action in anticipation of this fictional Christmas Eve arrival.

If you, gentle reader, protest that Santa Claus is a harmless ruse and, indeed, one of the most beloved elements of childhood, I would respond that I wish it was jolly old St. Nick that I was referring to. In fact, I’ve been describing another significant Christmas figure, someone who, impressionable youths are told, will judge mankind and mete out rewards and punishments as he deems fit. At least Santa’s good opinion only means the difference between the latest gaming system and a lump of coal, not whether you will spend all eternity in unfathomable pleasure or torment. After all, the man in the red suit is only tempting you into being good with playthings, not everlasting salvation.