Some people have a problem with Santa Claus. In our family, however, we were always able to differentiate between Santa and the Christ Child and know who was more important.
On Christmas Eve, Bill would gather the children, and later the grandchildren, to place the annual call to Santa. “Santa,” he would say into the phone, “This is Billy Graham from North Carolina, and I’ve got some excited children waiting for your arrival tonight.” I even went so far as to make the children think Santa was arriving by ringing donkey bells in the chimney and leaving a strand of his beard on ta nail of a boot print in the ashes.
I remember seeing a Christmas card once with Santa kneeling beside the manger. The generosity of Saint Nick poured out from his love of Christ.
from “A Quiet Knowing Christmas” by Ruth Bell Graham
