This column is written for the little boys and girls who have not been “good” all the time this year and who are concerned if their past behavior is going to affect how generous Santa will be December 25th when he comes for his annual visit.  
As their advocate, I have some questions that should be cleared up about the statement known to every child, “You better be good…”
First of all, what is the meaning of good?  Does this mean that one has to be perfect all the time and if so, what is the use for Santa to come down the chimney in the first place? One can be ‘good’ doing some things and then occasionally miss the mark.  For example, he can perform all his household duties, take care of his pet, make up his bed, wash his hand perfectly before meals but when the math test is given, he forgets to put in the decimal thereby not making the hoped for 100 on the test.  Is he still counted as being good? What is the recognized standard for good?  And then, what is the time limit on being good?  A year is a long time to walk the straight and narrow and reasonable people would not hold anyone to absolute perfection all the time.   
What if you were good all the time except when you locked the house door so that the sister had to wait outside in the rain, when you whined about having to dress up for church or not apologizing for impolite behavior?   Wouldn’t bringing home good report cards make up for some of the minor stumbles in behavior?
And just who is the judge for the what-might-be misbehavior?  What if the sister reports an infraction but with prejudice?
For instance, just because he told her that her new outfit was tacky, she decides to get even with him and reports something not entirely factually true. Does one have an opportunity to challenge her assertion and be vindicated?
What about forgiveness?   Sunday School teachers say that “we should turn the other cheek” which can be read as our starting over from scratch.  If we are forgiven, isn’t the misbehavior then forgotten meaning that original goodness is restored?
Remind your accuser that the Bible has a story that only those who are perfect are in a position to ‘cast stones’ and since all fail that test, who is to judge?
So pay attention in your Bible study.  
Learning what it says and applying it can get you out of a lot of trouble, even with the Jolly Old Man. In the meantime, have a plan B.  Tell Mama you love her. It works every time.
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Bill Lee, .PO. Box 128,
Hamer, SC 29547