Santa Claus and Appollo 8

The Santa wars are alive and well on the homeschooling and parenting blogs these days! There are some (like me) who enjoy Santa but focus on Christ in Christmas, there are some who follow the secularized Santa version of the holiday exclusively, and many more who believe that any reference to Santa is anti-Christian idolatry. And, to be honest, on some days I can see their point! Christmas in our modern culture has come very far from its intended purpose.

When Matt was younger, I enjoyed the mythical Santa with him - but we always focused on what "real" Christmas was all about. And now with the wee nieces I also enjoy Santa - and at the same time we watch the Little Drummer Boy and Nestor the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey together and talk about the baby and the star and the promise. A gentle introduction into the true meaning of the season :)

And for a little Santa fun from my childhood, here is a bit from the actual transcript of all Apollo 8 radio contact:

089:34:19 Mattingly: Hello, Apollo 8. Loud and clear.
089:34:25 Lovell: Roger. Please be informed there is a Santa Claus.
089:34:31 Mattingly: That's affirmative. You're the best ones to know.