A quaint looking Santa's House is the latest attraction at Evia Mall along Daan Hari, south of Alabang Town Center and site of the future Vista City. The attraction is highly visible from Daan Hari road as it is nestled under a giant decorated Christmas Tree and is stood watch by human-sized wooden toy soldiers dressed in bright Nutcracker fashion.
The Santa's House has been drawing more people especially curious kids and exploring parents to visit Evia Mall. The attraction is just beside the big Starbucks, which itself is quite inviting. The cool December Manila weather also makes for a good time to walk around and enjoy the pleasant ambiance of Evia.
Evia Mall has been hugely successful! Ideally suited to the privileged enclaves of Portofino, Verdana, Sonera and Sourh Vale, it currently draws people from all over to enjoy the laid back, old-world appeal of a small town plaza that is enthusiastically decorated and redecorated. The main mall isn't even open yet! So no hard core shopping here for now, just folks hanging out, dining at restos and cafes, getting some personal services done or some minor supermarket shopping, or meandering through the weekend bazaars.
In visiting Santa's House, we should still tell the story of Jesus. Christmas is not really about Santa. Just as Easter is not about the Easter bunny and egg hunting. The Bible says about the birth of Jesus:
For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9:6-7 NASB)
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). (Matthew 1:20-23 NIV)
What do you think about letting your young kids believe is Santa, only to be eventually disappointed when they learn he's not real? They may even feel let down, and that the joke was on them, that they weren't in on the real story. Would you lie to your kids for them (and you) to have some fun? I can still remember that at the young age of six or seven, I was so disappointed with the "harsh" truth that there was no Santa. My loving Dad and Mom were the real gift givers, but I thought Santa was the one putting gifts under the Christmas Tree and candies and goodies in our Christmas stockings. But growing up as a Christian I learned that it's better to let your kids in on the inside story from the start.
What do you think?
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