room for both?

So I find myself in this place where I have been sort of half-you-know-what-ing it on the Santa thing and it is starting to be a problem. All the years before this, the boys weren't really that into it. They would ask a few questions now and then but nothing major and I was foolishly hoping that it just wouldn't be a big thing. Then this year came when Jem is looking at the flu in our chimney and asking how Santa is going to get in if we "have a wall in our chimney." He is asking to go see Santa so that he can tell him what he wants. He wants to know how Santa fits all of the toys into his bag. And suddenly my normal answers of "That's nice sweetie" or "Yep, uh huh, Santa's great" just aren't cutting it.
Here's the thing. I love the idea of Santa. I love the sense of wonder and magic that he brings. The real world catches up soon enough. However, I also know that Santa, with all of his presents and decorations and cheer, isn't the real reason that our family celebrates Christmas. And I don't want my kids to lose the even greater wonder of a Savior being born in the face of a guy who comes down the chimney with toys.

I'm finding it to be a hard line to walk. And I'm asking myself the question of whether or not Santa and the nativity scene can share space on the mantel?