dear santa

​Each year, on Christmas Eve, our grandchildren write letters to Santa.  A few of our grandkids are at the age where they still believe.  Here are two of the letters from this year:
 
Dear Santa,
I hope you like your milk and cookies.  I really hope I was a good boy.  Thank you for what you have done for our world giving presents to the poor.  We appreciate your kindness.
From,
xxxxx
 
Santa always writes a response to the letters.  Santa’s Response:
Dear XXXX,
How wonderful!  Everything was great!  Hope you enjoy your presents!  I love you.
Santa
 
Dear Santa,
I have been a kind of good boy and a kind of bad boy.  But even if you have been bad, I still want presents, even though I know Christmas isn’t just about presents.  It’s also about Jesus birth.  Bye!
From,
XXXX
 
Santa’s Response:
Dear XXXX,
I’ve had my eye on you, and I’m here to tell you that you are mostly and usually a good boy.  And right you are!  It’s Jesus’ Birthday!  So, I love you.  Enjoy it! 
Santa
 
Later as I read those letters again and the responses, I began to think about the Christian classroom.  How would I respond to comments or discussions like these in the classroom?  Let me think:
 
Dear First Letter,
I see how you try to be “good”.  What does being “good” mean to you?  (Discussion)  No one is perfect.  We all make mistakes and do things we shouldn’t.  And God still loves us and forgives us.  That’s why Jesus birthday is so important.  His birth shows how much God loves us.    
 
Santa is kind – we see that in his gifts to children as you have pointed out in your letter.  How can WE be kind all year long?  Are there things we can do, even as kids, to help the poor?  Do you know anyone else who helps the poor?  What do they do to help the poor?  Jesus was born poor.  When he grew up, he wanted others to think of the poor also. 
 
As God has given us the gift of Jesus, we like to give gifts to others also.  Thank you for thinking about kindness and giving to the poor.
 
Dear Second Letter,
Thank you for being so honest and admitting that you sometimes do things that you shouldn’t.  God knows our hearts.  He knows your heart and sees how you want to be good and that you are sorry when you forget kind ways.  One reason that God sent Jesus into the world is to help the people understand that God forgives us for our mistakes and wrong doing.  God loved us that much.  YES! – It is Jesus’ Birthday.  What are ways we celebrate His birthday?  Why do we love Jesus so much?  God gave us a gift in his Son.  You are a gift to your family and to our classroom.  Jesus is very special to us, and so are YOU!
 
Merry Christmas!
BEcky