Santa Is in Direct Competition With God

Tina was a low-income Latina single mother who struggled all year to provide food and shelter for her seven children. Determined to give them Christmas presents, too, she would buy gifts on clearance sales all year and hide them in her closet. Tina was part of my church small group, and at an early December gathering, one member asked about Santa Claus -- should parents let their children believe in Santa? I didn't have children then, so the issue was merely theoretical for me, but it was very real for Tina. She burst out, "No way I'm telling my kids about Santa! I worked hard for these presents, and they're going to thank me for them. No white man is getting credit for my hard work!" She laughed along with everyone else, but years later, I find her words to be as wise as they were funny.