Santa Claus, The Easter Bunny, The Tooth Fairy and JESUS.
Written by David Vaughn Parry, Sr.; Illustrated by Christine Alt Parry

When I received this book, I was impressed by the balanced montage on the front cover, one that encompasses pictures of all four central characters of the text. There are whimsical pictures of Santa with his pack and of a tooth carried off by a phantom Tinkerbelle-ian entity, a rabbit, and a headshot of Jesus asking the reader with his expression to set aside the arguments against him, for these alternatives are illogical.

Logic, in fact, is the point of contact between author and reader, a pathway to the precepts of Jesus and a path adorned with good humor and an uplifting Spirit. This is not a demoralizing or brow beating scriptural tract that alienates a reader. It is not frightening or overly emotional. It is fun. The text follows a logical progression of belief and disillusionment in the legends of Santa Claus, Easter Bunny, and Tooth Fairy; and illustrates that the story of Jesus Christ does not suffer the some pitfalls, loopholes, or lies as the three cultural myths.

Pastor Kenneth Hagin wrote a magazine article in the mid-1980s that answered questions for Christians and non-believers alike about whether it is morally permissible for children to believe in Santa Claus, to be allowed to find out that there is none, and then to be asked to believe in God.

His response came from a practical and logical stance. In his article, the pastor stated that children would likely not believe in Jesus, whom they cannot see, if they do not have some precedent to base that faith upon, in this case, Santa. Pastor Hagin advised to let children believe and then to explain that the man, Santa Claus, is a representation of the spirit of Christmas. Further, they can feel this spirit in the happiness of the holiday season and in giving – and receiving – gifts and helping the needy, as well as sharing love. The pastor felt that this would prepare them for future faith in a larger Spirit.

Mr. Parry shows us that as disappointed as children become as they learn that there is no man called Santa Claus, they can have the opportunity never to be disappointed in Jesus Christ. Mr. Parry provides logical reasons for this stance that comprise common sense as well. The gift Jesus gives is permanent, after all, and not a Christmas toy broken on the first day. The Easter Bunny is a harder myth to keep alive and his candy goes quickly; the Tooth Fairy legend is hard to support, because of logistics and tired parents who cannot keep up the charade.

There is no charade surrounding Jesus Christ of Nazareth, illustrates the author. Theorists posit protests based in speculations to the contrary, but Mr. Parry’s logic is hard to refute in the following ways. The stories of the four central characters in this book seem to begin all the same, but only one has a happy conclusion that is a solid foundation for faith, for those who chose it. Three of the mystical heroes of childhood in this culture become bit players in the light of the fourth; and bunny and fairy are reduced to the status of extras or space ensigns eliminated in an early scene on television. The story of Jesus cannot be disproved to a satisfactory conclusion for detractors.

This book contains illustrations by Christine Alt Parry that punctuate the text with good humor and put a face on what Mr. Parry is saying in the text. Particularly appropriate is one in which two wedding guests taste the water turned to wine. One says, “The wine has grassy undertones…,” while his friend replies, “I detect notes of seaweed, myself!”

The final illustration made me laugh aloud and to this day has me singing a Rick James tune with a Christian lyric in my head. I cannot pry it from my consciousness, so my brain will happily have to assimilate it. The language of the text is understandable and a slight drift into minimal scatology in the dead-ends of illogic that are made evident makes the story more realistic to the everyday person.

Santa Claus, The Easter Bunny, The Tooth Fairy and JESUS is long enough to be interesting, but not long enough to lose the reader. It is readable in a single sitting and provides readers a fresh perspective from which to make a decision to consider the story of Jesus or perhaps to research his history on their own. It is an offering, not a demand. It offers a point of view that is not preachy and can be appreciated by children, youth, and adults.  It would make a good gift, perhaps even in the next Easter basket you give.

Reviewed by Patty Inglish, MS — Jidokwan Christian Martial Arts International  

Hub Pages writing collection