How Would Christ Respond

[leehop71]

We all know that we play along with our children concerning Santa, when, in reality, we are lying to them for x amount of years.

IF a Christian couple made the decision NOT to lie to their children and tell them the truth about the 'story' of Santa and not pretend, how do you think Christ would perceive their decision?

 

[miamited]

We all know that we play along with our children concerning Santa, when, in reality, we are lying to them for x amount of years.

IF a Christian couple made the decision NOT to lie to their children and tell them the truth about the 'story' of Santa and not pretend, how do you think Christ would perceive their decision?

Hi @leehop71

I'm assured that he would approve. I'm one of those parents who will go along with it for the first few years of a child's life, but by the age of 6, it's time to tell the truth. My daughter in law was majorly upset with me for telling her 6 year old daughter the truth. She's now 11 and Santa isn't even a thing with her. It's all about Jesus and we give gifts to one another as a representation of God's gift to us, not because some fat old man rides around the world all night going down chimneys, that don't even exist today in most homes. She's perfectly happy and enjoys Christmas and the gift giving just as much as anyone. However, on Christmas morning, just before settling down to open all the gifts, I read the story of Jesus' birth found in Luke's account and explain that's why we give gifts.

My way allows the child to know and understand that they get gifts because their parents and family love them. Not that some fat old man who doesn't even know them gets his rocks off sneaking around at night putting gifts under their tree. So for me, it's a matter of wanting my children in the family to know why we really celebrate Christmas. It's likely the first real experience of God's love that they hear.

God bless,
Ted

 

[IntriKate]

Im sure God would love that he is being honoured instead of santa..
I raised my boys to know from the start that santa wasnt real. They would still receive gifts and have fun but we used to have a birthday cake for Jesus and we always gave the day to him.

 

[sandman]

We all know that we play along with our children concerning Santa, when, in reality, we are lying to them for x amount of years.

IF a Christian couple made the decision NOT to lie to their children and tell them the truth about the 'story' of Santa and not pretend, how do you think Christ would perceive their decision?

That is how my wife and I handled it. We had both been Christians for a number of years and we decided that we were not going to lie about…..Santa, Easter Bunny, and Tooth fairy…. just a personal choice. And it actually eliminated the compound lies that are associated with sustaining fictitious character. The only people who were not happy with our decision were grandparents. And we had to teach our kids that other kids believed these things, so they should not discuss it with them.

Some of the other things we did was, no cartoons…. ever. They were allowed to watch certain Disney movies, but no toons...and no gaming…they never played any video games….again personal choice based on different criteria.

 

[Whyayeman]

I can well understand the enjoyment little children have in believing in Santa Claus. It is quite difficult to tell when they know the truth about his existence but play along for the fun (or the presents) with parents and the wider world. I was five when some older children told all the reception class at school that there 'is no Santa Claus'. Quite a few of us said there was, so there! But the seed of doubt had been planted...

Is there anybody here who believes in him still?

 

[ViaCrucis]

We all know that we play along with our children concerning Santa, when, in reality, we are lying to them for x amount of years.

IF a Christian couple made the decision NOT to lie to their children and tell them the truth about the 'story' of Santa and not pretend, how do you think Christ would perceive their decision?

I was raised to understand that Santa Claus was fiction, a symbol of the generosity and kindness of the Christmas season.

As I got older, I learned about the history of Santa Claus, how the modern American Coca-Cola jolly red-suited North Pole residing fairy-man came to be as a pop culture icon.

If the Lord ever sees fit to bless me with children, I have no plans on telling them that Santa is real, but I will use Santa as a symbol. Not of rampant capitalism run amok, but as a symbol of charity, kindness, and generosity. And I will tell my children about the very real St. Nicholas of Myra, the kind and generous 4th century bishop who came from a wealthy background, and then freely gave away his inherited wealth to help those in need.

As one of the nearly 320 bishops who presided over the Council of Nicea, he was one of the 318 who affirmed the Creed drawn up by the council. Also, he supposedly got so infuriated with Arius at the Council of Nicea that he slapped him. Not exactly a very charitable thing to do, but honestly kind of hilarious IMO.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Whyayeman]

Also, he supposedly got so infuriated with Arius at the Council of Nicea that he slapped him. Not exactly a very charitable thing to do, but honestly kind of hilarious IMO.

It certainly would not do in the Grotto at the local department store if the good fellow's dressed-up avatar did the same!

I think you were wise to explain that Santa Claus was pretend from the start. I never did. If I asked my children now what they believed (and I never would) I think I would just get a pitying look and an affirmation that of course Santa is real.

 

[partinobodycular]

I'm assured that he would approve. I'm one of those parents who will go along with it for the first few years of a child's life, but by the age of 6, it's time to tell the truth. My daughter in law was majorly upset with me for telling her 6 year old daughter the truth. She's now 11 and Santa isn't even a thing with her. It's all about Jesus and we give gifts to one another as a representation of God's gift to us, not because some fat old man rides around the world all night going down chimneys, that don't even exist today in most homes. She's perfectly happy and enjoys Christmas and the gift giving just as much as anyone. However, on Christmas morning, just before settling down to open all the gifts, I read the story of Jesus' birth found in Luke's account and explain that's why we give gifts.

My way allows the child to know and understand that they get gifts because their parents and family love them. Not that some fat old man who doesn't even know them gets his rocks off sneaking around at night putting gifts under their tree. So for me, it's a matter of wanting my children in the family to know why we really celebrate Christmas. It's likely the first real experience of God's love that they hear.

God bless,
Ted

So you're perfectly fine with indoctrinating children into your own myths, just not someone else's.

 

[ViaCrucis]

It certainly would not do in the Grotto at the local department store if the good fellow's dressed-up avatar did the same!

I think you were wise to explain that Santa Claus was pretend from the start. I never did. If I asked my children now what they believed (and I never would) I think I would just get a pitying look and an affirmation that of course Santa is real.

It should be noted that the Nicholas Slapper-of-Heretics story is almost certainly apocryphal, but it does make for fun memes.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[keith99]

I think if your Christ is as claimed and came back his reaction to people telling their kids that there is no Santa Claus would depend almost entirely on why they did so. And those insisting that telling the truth while actively destroying the enjoyment of children was always the right thing to do would not fare well.

The least such could expect to suffer was their other self serving lies being exposed. Pray that he would be kind enough to at least at first expose them in ways only you understand (if you are one such). Do not expect his patience to last long if you continue.

 

[Beanieboy]

I was always told Santa was fictional, and because of how religious my parents were, thought it detracted from Christ's birth.
So, I thought it very silly when my friends talked about Santa. And always wondered how they felt finding out the truth.

One friend joked that when he was told around 8, he was very disappointed. Then he said, "And the Easter Bunny?" That's us. "And the tooth fairy?" Us, again."Wow....and Jesus???"

 

[Beanieboy]

But to answer the question, I think that would be the last concern Jesus had. However, I always remember being told, "It's not about the presents. It's about Jesus' birth." But as a kid, it was about the presents. As an adult, however, it's like celebrating my parent's birthday by giving my siblings presents, and hearing people talking about spending 1000's of dollars, or trampling the Walmart Greeter to get an XBox is just vulgar. With my expartner, we got each other one gift, and one shared gift we bought together. We then would buy toys at Target for kids in need.

My grandparents were especially strict religious folk, and one Christmas, my Grandpa says, "It's somebody's birthday today?" I said, "Really? Someone was born on Christmas (which has to suck). Is it ..." I ran down a list of relatives, wondering how long this was going to take. He turns to my brother abd says, "Do you kniw?" "It's Jesus' birthday."
"Thst's right!" he said, then looked at me and said, "and don't you forget it!!!"
"Um...ok...M..Merry Christmas." I was 12. I knew Jesus' birth was celebrated on the 25th. Kind of hard to miss when it's hammered into you. It was just the weird tone of his voice, like somewhere between singing Away in the Manger or being a shepherd boy during the service, I completely forgot.

 

[Beanieboy]

But would have loved to show him that he was actually born in September, according to scholars. And that Christmas trees are following the Winter Equinox, a pagan tradition. Just saying.

 

[Whyayeman]

Christmas trees are following the Winter Equinox, a pagan tradition.

Yes. Christmas is at the time of the Winter solstice, the pagan ceremonial to invoke the New Year's return to life. The feasting conveniently finished off the preserved foodstuffs that were starting to go off, so we eat Christmas cake and puddings for this reason. The freshly killed meat at the feasting came about because the provender was running out and the animals would soon starve.

Almost the whole of the shape of the festival originates in pagan traditions. I don't know about the presents. Any ideas?

 

[RDKirk]

I think if your Christ is as claimed and came back his reaction to people telling their kids that there is no Santa Claus would depend almost entirely on why they did so. And those insisting that telling the truth while actively destroying the enjoyment of children was always the right thing to do would not fare well.

The least such could expect to suffer was their other self serving lies being exposed. Pray that he would be kind enough to at least at first expose them in ways only you understand (if you are one such). Do not expect his patience to last long if you continue.

I would expect that Santa Claus would not have been the only hope of enjoyment in their lives.

We never told our children about Santa Claus. We told them from the beginning that Christmas presents were from us and relatives.

They still seemed happy enough to get them.

 

[miamited]

So you're perfectly fine with indoctrinating children into your own myths, just not someone else's.

Hi @partinobodycular ,

I can appreciate your position. I'm really only interested in 'indoctrinating' my children in the truth. It has been confirmed in my heart and soul and mind that the Scriptures, as handed down through Israel, is that truth. I can understand that you won't agree with that, and that's ok with me, but I do get to parent my children as I see fit. You are, of course, free to indoctrinate yours as you see fit.

So, it really boils down to what any parent believes to be the truth about the world. Do you believe that there really is a man who rides around on a sleigh pulled by reindeer that visits every house in the world on one single night? If so, then you should certainly teach your children that is the truth.

God bless,
Ted

 

[partinobodycular]

Hi @partinobodycular ,

I can appreciate your position. I'm really only interested in 'indoctrinating' my children in the truth. It has been confirmed in my heart and soul and mind that the Scriptures, as handed down through Israel, is that truth. I can understand that you won't agree with that, and that's ok with me, but I do get to parent my children as I see fit. You are, of course, free to indoctrinate yours as you see fit.

So, it really boils down to what any parent believes to be the truth about the world. Do you believe that there really is a man who rides around on a sleigh pulled by reindeer that visits every house in the world on one single night? If so, then you should certainly teach your children that is the truth.

God bless,
Ted

But apparently you're okay with parenting other people's children as well, seeing as how you mentioned that your daughter-in-law was upset that you told her six year old daughter the truth about Santa. Which leaves me wondering, what really is the boundary beyond which you believe it's inappropriate for you to interfere with how other people raise their children?

Was your behavior inappropriate?

And likewise, if I had told your then six year old daughter my version of the truth about Christ would you find that to be inappropriate?

 

[miamited]

But apparently you're okay with parenting other people's children as well, seeing as how you mentioned that your daughter-in-law was upset that you told her six year old daughter the truth about Santa. Which leaves me wondering, what really is the boundary beyond which you believe it's inappropriate for you to interfere with how other people raise their children?

Was your behavior inappropriate?

And likewise, if I had told your then six year old daughter my version of the truth about Christ would you find that to be inappropriate?

Hi @partinobodycular

Oh, a bit of historical narrative needs to be exposed here. My D-I-L had had her parental custodial rights revoked and my wife and I were her 'parents' at the time, and in fact, still are.

As to your telling my child your understanding of things, if it wasn't the truth, I would merely correct it. I don't hold it against people to believe what they choose to believe in most circumstances. I also choose not to get particularly worked up about what other people teach my children, within reason. I know that's going to happen throughout life and as a responsible parent, I believe it my job to teach them how to listen respectfully, weigh the information and discard or accept what they are taught. Of course, this is only a concern as regards spiritual things and 'understandings' of the creation.

I think that all children need to learn how to separate wheat from chaff in such things.

God bless,
Ted

 

[Whyayeman]

I am uncomfortable with the idea of anybody indoctrinating children. To me this has disturbing undertones of manipulation.

Children should be helped to think for themselves.

 

[miamited]

I am uncomfortable with the idea of anybody indoctrinating children. To me this has disturbing undertones of manipulation.

Children should be helped to think for themselves.

Hi @Whyayeman

Again, I can appreciate that understanding. However, it isn't what God tells His children is the right way to raise their children. As a believer in the one true and living God, I am naturally inclined to follow His instructions over the instructions of man. But, as I have allowed, one must understand who God is and believe who God is to see things in that way.

Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. Deuteronomy 4:9

Remember the day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, when he said to me, “Assemble the people before me to hear my words so that they may learn to revere me as long as they live in the land and may teach them to their children.” Deuteronomy 4:10

Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 11:18-19

So, I fully understand that those who do not know or follow God aren't going to be in agreement with His instructions. But, for those who do, God has given fairly clear instruction that it is a parents job to teach their children about Him and His ways and hopefully bring them to know and find the same faith in eternal life so that they may all share in the promise of God together. Now, I fully understand that those who have no understanding of the things of God are likely to say, "Well, let them grow up to find out the truth for themselves." But that isn't how God has instructed His children. I believe that God actually holds parents responsible for what they teach their children about Him.

And please understand that I just used the word 'indoctrination' because that word was introduced by the original post that I was responding to. I actually believe that the word that God uses to refer to instructing our children is to 'teach' them.

God bless,
Ted