Question about Santa Claus

I have close Christian friends who chose not to "do" Santa Claus with their child, who is now 6. She was told from the beginning Santa was not real, and the true meaning of Christmas. At first I thought they were kind of radical. Then I thought about it, and thought it was a good idea. (My daughter is 14 months so I am now thinking of stuff like this). Anyway, I figured Santa was not Biblical, helped commercialize Christmas, and took away the true meaning of Christmas. But then I thought some more and questioned "why can't I teach my daughter about Jesus, meaning of Christmas, but still have Santa". I would never state Santa was Biblical, but by the time she is 7-8, she would know there isn't really one anyway. So what is the harm?
I'd love to see both sides. I truly respect each person's choice, as I respect my friend's decision. But her little girl recently got into a physical fight with someone at her school because she was telling everyone Santa was not real, and the kids were getting mad and upset.

Hello Stephanie,
I often thought of that also, what is the right thing to do. I do believe that it is a personal thing and is something individual parents will have to address.
This to me is an example of what would dictate the choise. What if you lived in poverty and it was all you could do to supply your child with food, would you tell them that there was a guy that gave presents to "good" boys and girls?
The one very importian thing to make sure of as a christian parent is to make sure Jesus is the one we are placing in christmas to our kids. One thing I did think of as I was writting out this post was, Jesus used alot of parables to teach could we as parents use santa clause like Jesus would have used a parable? Just a thought.

God Bless
Chuck

I don't think u can use Santa Claus as "a parable". Its a story that goes far too long.

I think its better that at the very start, you tell her that Santa is just a story, same as the Easter bunny and the tooth fairy.

I know of some kids who get pretty [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse]ed off by being "deceived" all these years. Then they doubt whether Jesus is also real.

I kinda look at it like this. I don't think we should share Chrismas with Santa. That is, it is ALL about Jesus and anything that detracts from that is, just that, a distraction. My kids love Christmas and Santa is just something that seems to be there but they don't seem to care one way or the other about him. I guess cause we have never made anything about him.

Let's try to get Christ back in Christmas.

Did any of you really believed in Santa when you were young? My parents who were Christian told me from the beginning that Santa was not real, and that Christmas was all about Jesus. This has helped shaped me to become the man I am today.

Why won't people believe that I exist???

Hey Ya'll,
Thanks again for the input. I totally understand about Santa taking away from the real meaning of Christmas, and being a distraction. But what about gift giving, or putting up a tree, and all those decorations? I am not challenging you, I am asking you questions I ask myself, and people have asked of me when I have commented on not doing Santa.

I do have a friend that goes to a church where some of her friends/parents do have Santa. However, one mother has Santa bring three gifts, just as the wise men brought Jesus. I thought that was interesting.

By the way, I would never tell my child if she was good, Santa would come. I never agreed with that anyway.

I guess it is something I really have to pray about. However, I think I already know my answer.

For those of you who were always told Santa was pretend, I have a question:
Did you go along with the "fairy tale"? Or did you tell other kids Santa was not real?

UGH, the joys of parenthood!! Especially as a new Christian.

What about the Tooth Fairy, or the Easter Bunny?

Hi, Stephanie:

As a mom, I can understand your point of view. When my son was a youngster, I chose to center my teaching of Christmas around Christ only. Bringing Santa into the picture would only cause confusion and/or center around gift giving more than Christ Himself, IMHO. Kids already look forward to presents and surprises, and Santa would cause more diversion away from Christ.

You can't start early enough in keeping them on the "straight and narrow" when it comes to Jesus and the Bible, especially in this day and age where worldliness and humanism reigns. It's a tough job for us Christian parents as it is!

God bless!

Well, we decided a long time ago that we will not tell our kids there is a Santa Claus (or Easter Bunny, etc.). My first idea on this was that why should I start my kids out by lying to them? Will they trust me later? The reason I decided this was because I was Christmas shopping one year and there was a little boy, about 7 or 8, following his mother around the store, saying, "I WANT," "SANTA BETTER BRING ME,", etc. etc. and I decided right then that my child would not grow up thinking that Christmas was about "me gettin' stuff" Christmas is about Jesus, not how much "stuff" we get.

I also had a friend bring to my attention (she and her sisters were raised w/out Santa Claus) the reason her mother and father did not teach them that Santa was real. Her mother's reasoning is that we teach the children that if they're good, then Santa will bring them lots of presents as a reward. If they're good, the Easter Bunny will bring them lots of candy and presents. If they're good, Jesus will come and take them away to heaven. Wait! Santa isn't real? Oh no! Wait! The Easter Bunny isn't real? Uh-oh. Wait! Is Jesus real? hmmmm......

I had never thought of it that way before...

I also had another friend whose parents told the kids simply that Santa was "someone who loved them very much". They didn't learn the whole fat man in a red suit deal, that they had to try to be good or santa wouldn't bring them anything, just that santa loved them very much. (which, of course santa is mom and dad, so they do love them very much) Maybe an idea for those who want to use santa with the kids.

We plan to home-school, so I don't know any advice about keeping the kids from "ruining it" for others, except maybe explain the whole Santa Claus idea to them and tell them that's what other children believe, so don't ruin it for them. Most kids figure it out after they get in elementary school anyway because the older children ruin it for them.

Hope I could be of some help!

Love in Christ,
~N~
<><

__________________
***The life you live is the lesson you teach***
***We do not see the world as IT is, but rather, as WE are***

"...Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" -Rev. 5:12(NIV)