Our firstborn figured it out on his own at the ripe old age of four. His mother and I were born again when he was two. We hadn’t made a big deal about Santa Claus before, and didn’t even speak of the tradition after that. But he still saw all of the “santas” while tagging along with his mother and grandma. This perplexed him: Why was there more than one? In fact why was there several in the shopping mall? And also others at the other stores across town?
Well, after seeing so many, he asked his grandma about it. She explained that the ones he saw that day were fake.
They came back to grandma’s house where his grandpa and I were, running in the house, laughing and happily telling us that “Santa Claus is fake!”
We didn’t try to change his mind after that day, and he turned out just fine.
He grew up learning that Jesus knows when we’re sleeping, and knows when we’re awake. He knows if we’ve been bad or good.
We taught him and his younger brother that Jesus is coming again,...through the air,....and that his reward will be with him.
Great story .. you’re right, most children will accept the truth when they’re ready.
I believe my son already knew .. but he just wasn’t sure.
But, it was fun having someone to share the wrapping with.