Question about Santa Claus

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???

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~
<><

Hi, Hagiadzo:

Am glad to hear you're planning to home school your children. We live in California, a very liberal state where the public school system has "gone down the toilet," so to speak! Home school has been one of the best experiences for both my son and me. I would do it again in a heart beat.

My best to you and your children. Go for it!

In Christ,

Pat

MIZ~
I know how bad CA's school systems are...Dad lives in LA, with my youngest brother

I'm glad the home-schooling is working out so well for you. We are praying by the time we have children in school (or just have children ) we will be able to afford for one of us to stay home with them, because Indiana's school systems (especially the ones around here) are pathetic. In fact, I took myself out of school in high school and my mother allowed me to home-school myself through a correspondence program. That's how bad they are...not only in teaching poor attitude and destructive behavior, but in education as well.

~N~
<><

Hey, I read all your discussion and is interested in this topic as well. How about this?
During Christmas, teach your children about Jesus being God and he died on Christmas to watch away our sins. While Santa is a good man who used to give good gifts to children. He respect Jesus and thus, the children should respect Jesus, too.
Then, say that all gifts come from God.

Just my opinion. (Somehow, I joke less and less each day. Hmm... is it a sign of maturity? Nay, I think I just grow wiser.)

Hagiadzo, your Mom did well by allowing you to home school yourself in light of the poor quality of public education. When we used to live in LA, we wouldn't have thought of enrolling our son in any of the public schools there. It wasn't just the humanistic education but many of the kids had an attitude problem and many belong to gangs. The teachers are nothing but babysitters and can't control the bad ones. You probably heard all about it from your father.

We moved farther south and live in a conservative leaning area where the school systems are very good, but humanism is still prevalent here. The independent Christian schools are popular and many require being placed on a waiting list. Home schooling is still my first choice, however. You have control over the academic curriculum and Christian teaching.

Christian parents can't be too careful these days when it comes to their children's education and spiritual growth. I hope you'll be able to home school someday.

God bless.