Lying about Santa makes me a little uneasy. But is it sad to deprive kids of the chance to believe in something magical? Hear a variety of opinions from every side, including author of “The Myths That Stole Christmas,” Dr. David Kyle Johnson. andyoverthinks.com/SantaLies

Dr. Johnson’s book “The Myths That Stole Christmas”

Dr. Johnson’s academia.edu page

Parody Song Lyrics:

You’re denying you’re a bold-faced liar,

Squash that nipping at your conscience.

Deflect when your child starts to inquire.

Your guilt preserves their innocence.

Everybody knows without the magic of Santa Claus in his sleigh

that takes a speedy flight

We’d just be left with a babe in swaddled cloth

who came to save the world one night.

This can’t be problematic

some tall tales are true and some are full of it.

The kids will sort it out or they will try

so that one day they too will tell the lies.

And so I’m offering this simple song

for parents who want to tell the truth.

Although you may feel it’s the right thing to do,

don’t blow Christmas.

You’ll blow Christmas,

you Scrooge.