I have read a few articles saying that kids of today are not getting the real meaning of Christmas — that they only care about material things and Saint Nicholas, or more popularly known as Santa Claus. I was not convinced.

So, Tuesday morning, during my computer class, I asked my grade 2 students to write in their notebook what Christmas means to them. I required them at least 2 sentences.

When they were done, I collected and read all the 25 notebooks. I was surprised by their answers: none of them wrote about Santa Claus. Zero.

As a matter of fact, Baby Jesus was their main answer, followed by these keywords: Love, Sharing, Caring, Family. (in random order)

Sure there are a few students who also answered “time for fun“, “getting presents” and the like. That’s part of the tradition.

These kids are 7ish-8ish years old. They are at the tender age of innocence and will believe almost anything a trustworthy adult would say. So I wondered: How come Santa Claus was left off? Do they “already” have an idea who Santa Claus really is?

My curiosity didn’t end there. The following day, I had the 1st graders, so I took the chance and interviewed random students by asking the same question: “What does Christmas mean to you?”

The answers were basically the same as the previous grade. This time, however, a couple of students finally mentioned the name Santa Claus. Still, it’s just a blip on the radar. And I felt good they are not materially obsessed.

I just had to laugh at some articles that blame the changing times if kids associate Christmas with material things. The point is, we want kids to realize the true meaning of Christmas, but it is us – the grown-ups – who color Christmas with money and attach Santa Claus to material things. The kids are just the reflection of us.

And then we write or talk about how kids today don’t get it.

Maybe we need to look at ourselves at the mirror and ask why.

Bring the kids to church; learn who Saint Nicholas really is and teach the kids why he – as Santa Claus – is a great symbol for this season; give something to the less fortunate without asking for return. These are some of the practical things we can do to teach them the real meaning of Christmas.

I watched my students play in the computer. And I thought: Christmas spirit isn’t really lost yet, but it depends on me and you.

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