The red kettles are on the corners and being promoted by the Jonas Brothers. The Blue Santas and Brown Santas are out in force in our home town. There are also angels awaiting adoption at the mall. And in this season of caring and sharing, we all want to impart a spirit of compassion in our children.

So how do you respond when, like my girl did this year, they ask you “why doesn’t Santa visit the poor people?”

Crazy Santa via Creative Commons by dlemieux (www.flickr.com/photos/dlemieux)

I got off rather easy, I think. We had recently been shopping to fill our shoebox for Samaritan’s Purse’s Operation Christmas Child, an organization that focuses on children in war-torn areas of the world. I told my girl that when people were fighting it can be very difficult for Santa to get into their country to bring toys to the children. His sleigh might be mistaken and accidentally shot down, so we help get toys to the children in other ways to ensure that they have something for Christmas.

That seemed to appease her for the moment, but I’m afraid I would have been stuck if she’d pressed further.

I want to make Christmas a magical time for my girl and keep Santa alive as long as possible. If I’m able to explain his chimney expeditions and ability to traverse the world in record time simply by chalking it up to magic, why wouldn’t that give him the ability to grant the wishes of every boy and girl the world over? How do I explain that in a prosperous and peaceful town like our own, there are far too many children who can’t count on Santa?

As I sit here Christmas Eve morning about to begin that last mad dash of gift wrapping, grocery shopping and baking, I say thanks that I don’t have to explain why Santa won’t be coming tonight. And, I hope that I can continue to keep him alive, while also raising a child who appreciates our blessings and learns the joy of giving to others.