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Sheila Schuller Coleman is the firstborn child of Robert H. Schuller, the Founding Pastor of the Crystal Cathedral. Sheila has had a diverse career as a published author (curricula, children’s books, devotionals, and books on family), a public school teacher, and most recently as a private Christian school administrator for over 13 years. She is currently serving as the Director of Family Ministries at the Crystal Cathedral overseeing the Crystal Cathedral Pre-school, Academy, Middle School and High School, as well as the Children’s Ministries and Student Ministries of the Crystal Cathedral. As such, her life has been intertwined with families of all ages in multiple capacities. As a Christian leader she has mentored teachers, principals, preschool directors, youth pastors, and children’s pastors.

Sheila has an Ed. D. in Educational Leadership and Administration from the University of California, Irvine. Sheila and her husband, Jim, have been happily married for almost 30 years. They have four grown sons who are involved in their own careers and academic pursuits.

November 30, 2006

To Be-lieve or Not to Be-lieve

Dear Sheila, As a Christian mother with a beautiful daughter 16 months old, what are your thoughts on Santa Claus? Do you think it would be better to let her believe in the magic of Santa or do you think that this tradition would detract from her learning the real message of Christmas? Signed, To Be-lieve or Not to Be-lieve

Dear To Be-lieve,

I must tell you that I don’t think there is a right or wrong answer to this question. When I was young my father didn’t believe in teaching children that Santa was real. He would tell us outright, “If I told you Santa was real, and then when you found out I lied to you, you might doubt when I told you God was real.” Made sense to me, and in truth I felt somewhat superior to my friends when they talked about Santa being real. I would think to myself, rather smugly I admit, “Just wait until you find out the truth.”
However, my younger sisters were encouraged to believe in Santa and they will tell you that my mother went all out with trying to set the scene, complete with cookies and milk, with bites taken out. Today their faith in God is completely solid and was not shaken in the least by believing in Santa.
As a young mother, I followed my father’s lead and let my sons know that Santa was fun but that he wasn’t real. And when they got to be four years old I found books that told the historical origin of Santa and St. Nicholas who loved Jesus and wanted to spread His love to children by giving them presents. I felt that the lessons that could be learned by becoming familiar with the spirit of St. Nicholas was an important lesson – more important than believing a fairy tale. I wanted them to know the magic of giving and sharing with others who were in need.
So, fear not – choose whichever path appeals to you the most. I do hope that as your beautiful daughter grows that you will include lessons on the true meaning of Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

Sheila

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