Isn’t it OK to share in the wonder and fantasy dreams with your children? They’re filled with the wonder and fascination of life. Let them. You don’t have to lie. Just let them enjoy the wonderful fantasies of childhood while grounding them in the even more wondrous love of God the Father through the matchless grace of Jesus Christ.
When I told my children, I simply told them that I was their Santa and it’s an important lesson for grown-ups: that giving without any expectation of receiving anything in return (including credit) is a beautiful thing. I thanked my children for allowing me to learn this through them. They completely understood. They were not the least bit upset.