Christmas is not one day of naivete and idealism in a world of realism, but the really real in the midst often of illusion. Illusion is where we lose sight of what's important in our world, of just relationships, respect, and food on all tables, of building community, and of gratitude for our earth. Christmas, with all of our hopes and struggles and efforts to make it something, speaks of our yearnings. This is real. They come unexpectedly and depart suddenly, leaving those behind to scamble with their new insights.
Jewish children know their story.
Muslim children know their story. Those who are from a Christian background often know it only in its sentementality. If we want our children to know the Christian story, the story upon which Santa and trees and gifts are built, then let them experience it. The question for us as parents is what story do we want our children to live by. Christmas is the church's marking of the birth of Jesus, and there is wonderful imagery surrounding it.