I guess I missed all the conflict over Santa vs. Christ as a child. Now, let me preface this by saying I was raised Catholic, but not in the strictest sense (my mother converted from Episcopal).
I guess Santa was just fluff for us. We always had a nativity scene (or two) on display at the house, we always attend mid-night mass Christmas eve (I still love that celebration - it always touches me deep)
I guess for me, they have always managed to stay seperate. We never got much into "going to see Santa", we didn't decorate much with figures of Santa, but we did do the stockings and watch the classic cartoon movies, as well as "Miracle on 34th St", etc. We just downplayed in all, I guess.
We have done the same in our home now. Santa is a side issue, "window dressing". Empasizing the things about the season that matter, and simply not acknowledging the secular aspects.
Now that my kids are older, I've come to accept that I can not control what society does, or does not do. My only prayer is for the strength and discernment from God to equip my children with the foundation of strong Christian values in hopes that this will sustain them as they are exposed to the non-Christian world.
I do not know if we have done a complete job of this, but we keep trying. Every so often, we see glimmers of their faith shining thru in moments of secular exposure. It gives us strength to keep working at teaching them, strengthening their foundation, and praying for God's hand to guide us.
I just don't see the conflict.
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