[JADE]

First, the mall is not state so that silly church and state fiasco definitely doesn't apply here.

Second, freedom of speech does except that if the store the hired the Santa wishes to control their Santa they have the right.

Third, since it is not illegal for Santa to speak of Christ, and if the store has no problem, then there is no problems other than the ones made by parents that have issues.

Fourth,(because I wanted to keep going) :rofl The only issue I have with it is if the Santa is misrepresenting Christ in any way. As far as Santa, the store clerk, the rabbit, my neighbor, etc. misrepresenting Christ is always a possibility. So it still remains the parents duty to keep their kids informed properly.

At many churches and Christian schools they have Santa hand out gifts. But they always explain the real reason for the season and they teach the kids about the real Santa and that while he has nothing to do with Jesus, he has a giving spirit and there is nothing wrong with that.