$t. Nick
December 2021: Weeks before Christmas- Monsignor Stagliano, of the Catholic diocese in Sicily, told a group of children that Santa Clause does not exist. The bishop went on to say that Santa and his red outfit is a creation of Coca Cola in order to promote consumerism. What?!
Parents were outraged and apologies were issued from the Catholic Church.
"First of all, on behalf of the Bishop, I express regret for this statement that has disappointed the children, and want to clarify that this was not at all Mr. Staglianò's intention," it said, "(The intention was to) reflect on the meaning of Christmas and the beautiful traditions that accompany it with greater awareness and regain the beauty of a Christmas now increasingly 'commercial' and 'de-Christianized.'"
"If we can all draw a lesson, young or old, from the figure of Santa Claus (which originates with Bishop St. Nicholas) it is this: fewer gifts to "create" and "consume" and more "gifts" to share," the statement added.
"A real fact has come out, namely that Christmas no longer belongs to Christians," Staglianò told the paper, adding that "the Christmas atmosphere of lights and shopping has taken the place of Christmas."
Sorry, not sorry.
Thank you Monsignor. Thank you for telling the truth to kids. I would love to have more open discussions about this topic, particularly with parents. Christian or not, most of us appear to worship stuff. Accessories. I’m guilty of purchasing many needless and useless ‘niceties’ for myself and others this time of year without explanation. I hear the music, I see shiny things, I may be sad, I get flustered, I think ‘oh, if I buy this, then things will get better.’ Yea, it’s illogical but true. The ‘buying stuff will make everything better’ mentality is ingrained. Even when I pledge not to make purchases, I do. I bought into the Coca Cola delirium frenzy. Unfortunately, what I really crave is truth and sincerity. Facts and honesty. I can handle the truth. We can all handle truths. I’m certain we can if given the opportunity. What is stopping this process of truth clarity- are the lies. The lies our ______ tell us. Fill in the blank: Parents, media, teachers, politicians…
So, what I want to know is: Who are theses ‘outraged’ parents? What are we gaining by lying to our kids? Sure, kids need age appropriate discussions, but what is the message here? Worship a fat man breaking into your house in middle of winter, through a chimney- leaving undisclosed and suspicious packages under a misplaced tree (in the living room) next to old socks- stuffed with sweet delicious treats. The ‘presents’ are suspiciously copyrighted and cleverly manufactured by elves who all are apparently ‘made in China’ (good thing the wee ones can’t read, or identify a map). That might be tricky to explain. As tricky to explain the real message.
The real message is: “the atmosphere of lights and shopping has taken the place of Christmas.” And taken the place of any other means of devoutness- peace and solitude during theses dark times. And I mean literally dark- not as in bleak- but as in opportunisticly enlightened. Finding our own light in the midst of our innate darkness. Not sabotaged by shiny new toys. Sure it is harder, sure it takes longer- and the ‘gifts to share’ are gifts of calm, quiet, serenity, tranquility- the non tangibles- that are very much needed and very much priceless.
Truth is, the Monsignor is right- and I want to listen and adjust. Knowing I will be probably be perpetually surrounded by $t. Nick (consumer Coke Santa), I can pause on pressures to procure property while practicing peace.