Any parent will tell you that the best thing about Christmas is the kids. The excitement and anticipation, the joy on their little faces”¦but those of us who don’t have children need to be extra careful around the little ones. It’s all too easy to make an unfortunate mistake.

When I was in college, I took an elementary education course, and we were given an assignment for the holidays: create some sort of class activity. (This was before all the hullabaloo about religious diversity, plus it was a Christian university.)  So I decided to write a play, just a short little something that a group of kids could perform for classmates or parents. I was very proud of it. My two main characters were a couple of children who try to sneak a look at Santa Claus”¦and discover their dad putting presents under the tree. They come out of their hiding spot and confront Dad, and there’s a nice little speech about the true spirit of the holidays.

My teacher thought it was great except for one little thing: you can’t perform a play in front of elementary school children that tells them Santa isn’t real.

Needless to say, I didn’t get an A on that assignment.

C. P. is giving away a digital copy of Dark Studies and Secret Studies, as well as a bookmark and a blank journal. (Books are to be awarded to two separate winners) Leave a comment for a chance to win!