Since When Did Santa Become the Bad Guy?

Yes, his name rearranged spells Satan.  Yes, he is make believe.  Yes, he carries a lot of hype.  And yes, the line between those who love and hate him is becoming clearer.
This entry is based on my thoughts and is not meant to knock on anyone else's, but I've been assured by my husband that I will definitely ruffle some feathers, and probably more so than with the trophies and birthday bag post.  
Let me start with my youth.  I come from a Christian family.  We believed in Santa as children.  I stayed awake almost all night once hidden behind the sofa with my camera determined I would get proof of his existence.  Many Christmas mornings he never let me down as the stash of presents lay under the tree.  I wrote him letters, sat on his lap, laid out the plate of cookies, and imagined what I'd say to him if I ever saw him (you know, the real one who came Christmas Eve).  I was jealous watching Christmas specials when the kids in the show ACTUALLY got to talk and be with him.  Santa was magical, gave me hope and made me feel loved.
As a child I also had a knowledge of Jesus Christ.  I never prayed, read scriptures, or really knew any  Bible stories well enough to tell them.  I only attended church a handful of times throughout the year.  Yet, I specifically remember when the Christmas tree was up and I gazed upon it, I thought about the nativity and the birth of the Savior and never did my thoughts turn to Santa.  I played with the nativity scene that was on the coffee table...from the beginning with the angel visiting Mary to the end with the baby being laid in the manger.   I would sing hymns around the house, dress my Barbie's like Joseph and Mary, and knew in my heart what Christmas was about.  One of my most memorable experiences was a dream I had.  I was probably about 8 or 9 years old at the time.  In my dream I was sitting at a long table, and when I say long, it went on forever.  Every seat was filled with other children.  They were speaking excitedly to each other about what was happening and when 'He' would get there.  As I looked down the table to the one being honored as he entered...it was Jesus, and we were there to celebrate his birthday with him.  When I saw him it was magical, gave me hope, and I felt loved.
How was I able to have such a clear understanding and separate each?  I don't know.  It's possible maybe we don't give kids enough credit for what they know...even if they don't say it.  Here I was, a young child with a very BASIC understanding and yet completely understood.  
Yes, my parents lied to me and told me there was a Santa Claus.  Do I hold it against them?  No. Do I even consider it a 'lie'?  No.  Did I lose faith in things?  No.  I am thankful to them for allowing me to be a child and imagine I was a dolphin trainer, Princess Leia, and that there was a Santa.  Make believe as a child is what made childhood magical to me and gave me hope I could be anything and do anything as an adult. 
Another thing I've been hearing lately is that in some homes Santa brings one gift because the parents want the credit for giving most of the gifts.  Um, you are the same person.  O.k., so maybe your kids don't know that and will thank you for their presents..for ONE second, but in the end does it matter who gets the credit?  And if Santa is going to be responsible for bringing the 'slop', then what's that to look forward to as a kid?  When did we become so consumed with who gave who what?  Geez, give Santa a break...(well actually you are because apparently he isn't making as many toys.)
I understand the deeper meaning.  Parents want their kids to understand what the 'true' meaning of Christmas is...without the hype and without feelings of 'receiving.'  I know where the focus of the teachings need to be and we strive hard in our home to do that.  I'm having a harder time with those who choose not to believe in Santa who look upon me as a heathen because we do allow our kids to believe.  I will not push Santa on anyone, but I do not appreciate those who think I have a less Christ-centered Christmas because Santa is spoken of in my home.   Santa is not the bad guy.  The bad guy is when Christ is not spoken of or taught during Christmas or when the emphasis is placed on 'things.'  The bad guy can be the malls, or Kohl's...with their BIGGEST sale of the season (every other day), or anything that tries to monopolize on the meaning of Christmas.  Santa, to me, will always be the good guy who was a part of my childhood that happy memories are associated with.  ***UPDATE...A friend of mine shared this quote with me from President Faust.  Find it here.Thanks Elise.
Actually, speaking of 'bad guys'...who came up with this one?   The 'upside down' Christmas tree:

We saw this trend starting last year.  Seriously, someone explain this to me.  What's next year...sideways trees?  Folks, we have worse problems than Santa.