What do you all think about Santa Clause? Personally, I'm kind of against the myth of Santa Clause because I believe that children tend to focus too much on Santa and not enough on Jesus, the true reason for the season. Now don't get me wrong, I don't see Santa as some kind of evil thing but I do see it as a distraction from the true reason for the season, Jesus.
Take the N in SANTA and move it to the end. SATAN!!! Oh Noëlzz !!!!!!!!1111!!!!eleventy-one!!!!!!!
We never really pushed the Santa thing at our house. We read the stories, etc., but never make the claim that they're true. It's a good way to introduce your kids to cultural mythology. "Santa? Yeah, Santa!" (nudge nudge, grin grin, wink wink, say no more)
We didn't want our kids to get the idea that we were lying to them. Anyway, Santa is really just Gandalf the Red.
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Last edited by Tangible; 23rd October 2009 at 12:20 PM.
Take the N in SANTA and move it to the end. SATAN!!! Oh Noëlzz !!!!!!!!1111!!!!eleventy-one!!!!!!!
We never really pushed the Santa thing at our house. We read the stories, etc., but never make the claim that they're true. It's a good way to introduce your kids to cultural mythology. "Santa? Yeah, Santa!" (nudge nudge, grin grin, wink wink, say no more)
We didn't want our kids to get the idea that we were lying to them.
We do the same thing. Santa Claus and the tooth fairy are a funny little game we play. We've always been very open about who Santa and the tooth fairy really are, so it becomes make-believe rather than a trick.
I think it is sad that Santa is pushed so mch and yet there are children who get nothing for Christmas. What do they think? It's because they are bad after all?
In my family, we always got gifts from "Santa Claus" and the Reindeer and stuff, but my brother and I never actually believed in a big fat man dressed in red that flew around in a sleigh delivering gifts to everyone. From the beginning we were always told that Santa was a fictional figure that represented the spirit of giving, nothing more nothing less. We were warned not to tell other kids about it so as not to ruin their holidays, but that was it. We knew perfectly well that S.C. was Dad, and Mrs. Claus was Mom. I plan on doing the same thing with my kids when I have them.
To put too much emphasis on Santa does take away from the true reason why we celebrate Christmas. But at the same time I don't think that Santa is entirely non-compatible with the message of the season either, as long as is taken in the proper context. The man most of the Santa traditions were based on was a man who genuinely cared for the poor children around him. The focus of the holiday just needs to be shifted away from the "gimme gimme gimme" to giving to others.
We don't have kids. But if we did, we wouldn't be doing the Santa thing. That's not what Christmas is about for Christians. Not that I judge others for doing it. I was taught to believe in Santa when I was a kid, and I survived. But I remember even when I was little wishing that we could celebrate Christ instead. No one else in the family wanted to, so we didn't. Thankfully now, my sister has decided not to do the Santa thing with her kids, and instead focus on Christ. I know there are Christians who don't celebrate Christmas at all because it was initially created to be joined with pagan celebrations. I totally respect that and have seriously considered it as well over the years. But I do believe that is a matter of conscience.
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I was raised in a Christian home and yes, I believed in Santa. I still remember the Christmas Eve I found out he wasn't real. It upset me at the time but it certainly didn't leave me with any emotional scars.
My children always had Santa come and are none the worse for it. They also knew the truth of Christmas and we always read the true Christmas story from their Bibles before bed on Christmas eve. They have all grown up to be Christians and now the two that have children of their own have Santa come pay a visit every year.
I believe you can have the fun of Santa, the reindeer, North Pole, all the make- believe, and still have a Blessed Christian holiday. It's all in how you approach it.
__________________ Romans 1:18(GB) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness, and unrighteousness of men, which withold the truth in unrighteousness. Proverbs 24:24-25 (GB) He that saith to the wicked,"Thou art righteous", him shall the people curse, and the multitude shall abhor him. (25) But to them that rebuke him, shall be pleasure, and upon them shall come the blessing of goodness.
When I was in college, I explained that most false gods are not all-powerful. I explained that Santa Claus is a benevolent god, with some supernatural powers, and that the Scriptures forbid us to have other gods.
The president of the college got me aside and advised me not to tell people that I believed that. However, my fellow Christians haven't stoned me for it yet.
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