Not teaching Santa?

[Bella Vita]

My husband and I have decided not to do Santa with our children. As part of our faith we believe Santa and the idea of him takes away from the true meaning of Christmas and the birth of Christ. Santa has only feed our society in making Christmas about shopping, gifts, and commercialism. We also believe that Santa feeds the moralistic idea that if you are good you get more gifts and that goes against everything in the Bible. We plan to still have fun with our kids and have traditions in our family but ones that are more focused on Christ. We still plan to raise out children to respect the tradition of others, and that it is not nice to tell other kids there is no Santa. Even though we don't practice it in our house I don't want them going around ruining it for other children that is not nice.

Do any of you not do Santa with your children? If so what other Christ centered traditions do you have in your family instead?

Also how do you deal with the heat of other parents? My husband and I shared one time that we were not doing Santa and we became the world's worst parents ever. I don't know what it is but the Santa subject is really touchy and if you don't do it you become the devil.

 

[Jimmy P]

We still let our boy believe in Santa...but he also knows Christ...he prays regularly and does pretty good

The way your family does it, that is between you and your family..don't let anybody try to change that..personally we're fine about Santa...my belief, it's the media and stores that made Santa look bad...when I was younger, I saw Santa as a caring person that was giving to others...but nowadays, his image has been tarnished...but we tell our boy of Santa and his nature...keepin' Santa lookin' good for him

But he does know Jesus and whom Christmas is truly about...

 

[jamantc]

We don't so santa. We begin December by doing activities that lead up to the birth of Christ. We decorate and celebrate the birth of our Lord. Search the net, some great ideas can be found there.

 

[George95]

I don't have children , but I'll share how I grew up.

My parents did the whole Santa thing with us with the whole milk and cookies and the fake reindeer food(to this day, I don't think not even a regular animal ate the supposed reindeer food ), but we knew from a young age what Christmas was really about.

What I think is so touchy about Santa is that some people say it's a fun thing for kids to grow up with, and taking that away from them will not allow them to enjoy their childhood.

That's just my synopsis.

 

[Bella Vita]

We don't so santa. We begin December by doing activities that lead up to the birth of Christ. We decorate and celebrate the birth of our Lord. Search the net, some great ideas can be found there.

Thank you it is nice to know we are not alone. And yes I have seen some greta books as well as some ideas on pinterest. =]

 

[jamantc]

Thank you it is nice to know we are not alone. And yes I have seen some greta books as well as some ideas on pinterest. =]

We do put up the tree and sing carols at home. We read verses from Matthew and other areas of scripture that pertain to the coming birth of Christ. I hear people say they are either in the Christmas spirit or not in the Christmas spirit, but for us, the Christmas spirit is something we live in all year due to having the Holy Spirit dwell in us daily . We do devotions that pertain to how much more important it is to give than to receive since God sent us the greatest gift that will ever benefit any part of our lives, Jesus. By teaching biblical truths with the meaning of Christmas and not representing a pagan deity with it as well, we have taught the importance of Christ coming. We do the same at Easter, we don't celebrate the pagan bunny (we do egg hunt just as we put up the tree) but teach the biblical truths of the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior and what was accomplished at the Cross and the importance of why God looked away in order to redeem us and give us new life. I don't mind people around me celebrating and my children have been taught to not disappoint others if they do celebrate, but be truthful at the same time since a lie can't be justified no matter how "white" of lie it is

 

[1watchman]

Here is an interesting paper about Santa Clause and Christmas:


HAVING OTHER GODS

THE EVIL OF SANTA CLAUS
Commentary By Robert DeWitt​

It may come as a startling statement to some people, but the fairy-like figure known as Santa Claus is a representation of an apparition for evil, I believe. Though fairly well understood by adults to not exist in person, it is acknowledged by many as a real spirit. It is evil because indulging this fantasy imitates, demeans, dishonors, and usurps God, I see.

This creature called "Santa" is set forth as a god-like being who can be everywhere at once, and knows what we are doing and thinking; and he will not give rewards if one is "naughty". He is shown as one who blesses good and admonishes bad behavior. This awful lie violates the first and second commandments of God (Deut.5:7-8). I dare say that those professing Christians who participate in this mockery and idolatry will have to answer to our Almighty Creator for it.

This subject speaks of the evil ways of Satan who would turn minds away from God to accept man's god of pleasures and foolishness. Parents promote all this when they speak of such a one, and encourage their little children to believe the lies, while saying "it is all in fun with no harm".

It is not only offensive to our Creator-God by robbing Him of the glory due Him, but teaches the lesson to children after they begin to see Santa is not a real person, that any god we choose is alright, or all such thoughts are just fantasy; and they may then grow up believing anything you can't see is a myth. This opposes the gospel of Christ and turns people from spending any time reading the Word of God --- to their eternal loss.

Some people speak of "good will toward men", though with no thought of God who is the giver of all good, and they frolic about fun and self-indulgence, and even mockery of the true God of all creation. We are warned: "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Heb.10:31).

We need to consider also that even the acclaimed account of one called St. Nicholas going about to do good for poor children in days of old, should be disregarded. The history shows he was a religious "Bishop" in Russia and considered there as "the protector of children" - Webster's Dictionary. His spirit is regarded by some people as working today. It is wrong to exalt such a one as akin to deity. It only sets forth a man and makes him the object of a national celebration, and one to emulate instead of our Creator.

This writer has said before and continues to allow, that one might well pause to remember the birth of Jesus Christ and give emphasis to the fact that "unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given" (Isa.9:6) ---"the Prince of peace" and Hope for the world. Saints of God would do well to read with their family and friends the account in Luke, chapter two, on the special evening set. It is of no consequence that we do not know the date of the birth of Jesus Christ, but if the world in any measure sets a day to honor the coming of the "Savior of the world" (John 4:42; 1 Tim.4:10), that is profitable---forbid them not.

Evil voices, however, will always work to pollute and corrupt God's testimony; and professing believers in Christ must stand resolutely against the fantasies, and be glad to tell forth that story of old of the glory of God in Christ Jesus. Saints of God can surely allow the special day to remember the coming of HOPE from God to this poor world, and even be pleased to seize the moment to be a good witness, without participating in the folly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~​

ADDENDUM: One can appreciate this, notwithstanding some failure in earlier years. Thankfully we grow in grace and discernment in the Christian life. These thoughts come again to mind, and are shared here to help parents who have not had the privilege of good Christian training and example in their childhood. May we always seek to honor our Lord in all that we say or do or think. - RLD.

 

[dogs4thewin]

My thing would be that ( and I do not plan to have children) but if I did they will find out either through school ( unless you home school them) BUT you can only do so much as far as the media and they will find out and asks about it anyway. My parents did and actually still do the Santa thing I am 22 and my sister is 17 however they did teach us what Christmas really was from an early age.

 

[Hammster]

We didn't do Santa with our older kids, so we also won't with out mini kids. The reason was that we felt it was lying to them. There's the commercial aspect, too. Letters to Santa are just kids asking for stuff. We've been blessed to have kids that aren't materialistic (at least like I was when I was their ages). They let us know one or two things they might want. And if they don't get them, they aren't overly disappointed.

Our tradition is Advent. We usually find a story to read each night (I think we are behind this year). Christmas morning, everyone gets up at their normal time (not 4 am like I did as a kid). We start breakfast, read the story of the birth, I will try and give a little lesson, and then presents.

Now, we have friends who have done, or do, Santa. That's cool. That's their business. We taught our kids to be respectful of that, and not "blow the surprise" for their friends. It's a family decision, and we respected that. And they respected us.

 

[Hammster]

I don't have children , but I'll share how I grew up.

My parents did the whole Santa thing with us with the whole milk and cookies and the fake reindeer food(to this day, I don't think not even a regular animal ate the supposed reindeer food ), but we knew from a young age what Christmas was really about.

What I think is so touchy about Santa is that some people say it's a fun thing for kids to grow up with, and taking that away from them will not allow them to enjoy their childhood.

That's just my synopsis.

^^^Still believes in Santa.

 

[jamantc]

I don't have children , but I'll share how I grew up.

My parents did the whole Santa thing with us with the whole milk and cookies and the fake reindeer food(to this day, I don't think not even a regular animal ate the supposed reindeer food ), but we knew from a young age what Christmas was really about.

What I think is so touchy about Santa is that some people say it's a fun thing for kids to grow up with, and taking that away from them will not allow them to enjoy their childhood.

That's just my synopsis.

How is not celebrating a fictitious person taking the childhood away from someone? I am sorry that I don't understand. I grew without celebrating santa and I loved my childhood, gained wonderful respect for my parents for telling me the truth, and learned to give more than receive to those in need verses being greedy and falling to commercial predators. I know those aren't your words, and I understood your statement, but for those who think it destroys a kids childhood obviously have less respect for Christ and more for santa

 

[WisdomTree]

I agree with the OP in that Santa Claus does in fact sideline the true purpose of Christmas, which is Christ. In fact, the person it was based off would be turning in his grave should he see what his image has become.

That's why if one were to teach something about Santa Claus, I'd take the more realistic approach of teaching history and doing it on the proper feast day which is December 6th.

 

[Bluelion]

We still do Santa . I have struggled with it, but we already plan to explain when he is older that santa is more of an ideal of how people should act toward each other not just because of The birth of Christ, but they should love each other all year round as Jesus said. So we will tell him it is an idea of how to act.

It is a lot of fun, but we also have given our son gifts from Jesus. We will explain that as God spoke to us in our heart and blessed us so we could get this for you from him.
everything is from God anyway truly, he created it all and owns it all.

That's just what we do and how we explain it.

 

[Bella Vita]

My thing would be that ( and I do not plan to have children) but if I did they will find out either through school ( unless you home school them) BUT you can only do so much as far as the media and they will find out and asks about it anyway. My parents did and actually still do the Santa thing I am 22 and my sister is 17 however they did teach us what Christmas really was from an early age.

I understand they are going to know what Santa is. We will go over it with them and probably tell them about the real man St. Nick. But it will never be presented to them that he is alive and real and goes around the world in one night. They will know him as a story and nothing more. We won't be giving gifts marked Santa.

 

[George95]

^^^Still believes in Santa.

Lol oh hush.

 

[George95]

How is not celebrating a fictitious person taking the childhood away from someone? I am sorry that I don't understand. I grew without celebrating santa and I loved my childhood, gained wonderful respect for my parents for telling me the truth, and learned to give more than receive to those in need verses being greedy and falling to commercial predators. I know those aren't your words, and I understood your statement, but for those who think it destroys a kids childhood obviously have less respect for Christ and more for santa

I'm glad someone touched up on my post. It's really more of the fact that it's how Hammster said about the commercial aspects. What I'm basically driving at is that society will make you out to be a horrible parent and that you're ruining your child's childhood by depriving them of some childhood fun. If you get what I'm saying, wasn't sure how else to say it.

 

[jamantc]

I'm glad someone touched up on my post. It's really more of the fact that it's how Hammster said about the commercial aspects. What I'm basically driving at is that society will make you out to be a horrible parent and that you're ruining your child's childhood by depriving them of some childhood fun. If you get what I'm saying, wasn't sure how else to say it.

Understood my friend. That's why I didn't direct my question to you, only used it as the back drop

 

[Hammster]

I'm glad someone touched up on my post. It's really more of the fact that it's how Hammster said about the commercial aspects. What I'm basically driving at is that society will make you out to be a horrible parent and that you're ruining your child's childhood by depriving them of some childhood fun. If you get what I'm saying, wasn't sure how else to say it.

I've actually never been made to feel line I'm a horrible parent, even among the non-Christians. At worst there were some awkward moments when someone would would ask my kids if they were excited about Santa coming.

 

[WisdomTree]

I've actually never been made to feel line I'm a horrible parent, even among the non-Christians. At worst there were some awkward moments when someone would would ask my kids if they were excited about Santa coming.

My mother used to teach me that God is Santa, because Santa knows whether you're good or bad. My father has a similar view to mine in that the real Santa is totally a legit fellow, but the modern take is anything, but cool and that it is the world taking advantage of the "lease" given to them in terms of Christmas i.e. they are hijacking it. It was one of his sermons at his church.

 

[MrJim]

We never did the Santa nor Halloween stuff, boys are now 13 & 18 and don't appear damaged from our decisions