The Case for Santa?

I was reading a recent article on the Relevant Magazine blog where writer Maria Baer makes the case for letting Christian kids believe in Santa.

Here is a brief summary of some of her points.  (You can read her whole article here.)

1. An 8-year-olds capability to think through complex issues will let  them them distinguish the difference from Santa not being real and believing in Jesus even though you can't see Him either.

Baer writes, "When I found out that Santa’s handwriting was really just my mom using her left hand, I was more confused at why my parents would go to so much trouble to prove Santa to me and less angry at the fake Santa Claus for deserting my needy self. And comparing him to Jesus? Never crossed my mind. Santa is a jolly guy who likes to give gifts to everyone and spends the rest of the year virtually irrelevant. Jesus is the most relevant person in my world … and yours. No comparison!"

2. Children need to believe in mystery.

3. It's nice for your kids to leave you cookies and milk.

4. Santa teaches generosity.

5. Kids will have to know about Santa.  He's all around culture and in songs.

6. Santa wants kids to be nice, not naughty.

Baer writes, "It’s a very basic way of teaching kids their actions have consequences, is it not? It’s a self-involved lesson of course to say 'you should be nice to others so  you receive more gifts.' But I argue that if nothing else, it teaches a child that being nice is, indeed, valuable; and others find it to be valuable, too."

What do you think?  Is this a good case for Santa?