We've never been proponents of maintaining fictions for children without their consent. (No Santa Claus in our house!) We do have a deeply-held faith.
Generally, we respond with facts to those questions that can be answered factually, with the necessary caveats about the scientific method, but also take into account that some questions are not really asking about tangible reality.
For example, is Santa Claus real? Yes, in the sense that there was an historical figure (the bishop of Ephesus) who quietly gave gifts to needy families. Yes, in the sense that our community uses the idea of Santa Claus as a representation of goodness, generosity, joy, and child-like wonder. No, in the sense of a bearded gentleman literally stuffing himself down chimneys, while laden with a large bag of toys.
And please don't run out and tell all your friends that SC is dead (like one of ours did, after putting together the time period of the said bishop of Ephesus and our present date!).
