‘Twas the Night Santa Quit Smoking

Santa is giving up smoking for Christmas. The iconic picture of Santa smoking a pipe is being removed in a new version of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. Author, Pamela McColl, decided it was sending the wrong message to kids. So, she shelled out $200,000 of her own money to self publish the politically correct version of this classic. She even deleted two verses: “The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth and the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.” You have got to be kidding me. The poem was first published in 1823. My children don’t focus on Santa’s nicotine habit when I read the book. They are enamored with the idea of a jolly man in a red suit leaving presents under our tree. It is not like Santa is cooking Meth. Besides, how many people do you know who say, “I smoke because Santa does.” Don’t get me wrong, I teach my children about the dangers of smoking. In fact, my son acts like he witnessed a crime when he sees someone puffing on a cigarette. “Mom, look! That guy is smoking!” However, I think the PC Police need to leave Kris Kringle alone.