Santa Claus

kenrapoza · Dec 7, 2011

Hey all,

This is something that I have to start thinking about now and I'd like the thoughts from other mature Reformed believers...

For those of you who have kids, did you teach them to believe in Santa Claus? Do you think it is a harmful lie or is it an innocent way for a child to experience some wonder and fun this time of year? Does it interfere with Christian education?

Thanks!

Ken

cajunhillbilly · Dec 8, 2011

St Nicholas, whose feast day was Dec 6, was a devote Christian and was known for his generosity to the poor. Google him and see some of the things he was known for. I think if you emphasize the Christian caracter of St Nicholas and that Christmas is the day to celebrate the birth of Jesus, and not Santa Claus, it should be okay. But others will probably have a different take on it. So weigh all the advice you get and make a godly decision.

ThatWhichIsnt · Dec 8, 2011

It you stress that Jesus is the reason we celebrate Christmas, then just add Santa for fun, I don't see anything wrong with it. Let kids be kids.

kenrapoza · Dec 8, 2011

When thinking about this years ago, my thought was that a good approach would be to do just as suggested and educate the kids on the historical St. Nicholas and then use the day as an opportunity to teach them about the birth and incarnation of our Lord.

What about the idea of the kid going to bed excited to wake up and see what Santa left for him under the Christmas tree during the night?

elahmine · Dec 8, 2011

kenrapoza said:
When thinking about this years ago, my thought was that a good approach would be to do just as suggested and educate the kids on the historical St. Nicholas and then use the day as an opportunity to teach them about the birth and incarnation of our Lord.

What about the idea of the kid going to bed excited to wake up and see what Santa left for him under the Christmas tree during the night?

As long as they understand that a gift from "Santa" is really just another way of saying anonymous gift. I don't think it's horrible if your kid believes in the fake overweight jolly santa, but I personally wouldn't try to convince my kids to believe a myth. It just adds confusion later on down the line.

heymikey80 · Dec 8, 2011

kenrapoza said:
When thinking about this years ago, my thought was that a good approach would be to do just as suggested and educate the kids on the historical St. Nicholas and then use the day as an opportunity to teach them about the birth and incarnation of our Lord.

What about the idea of the kid going to bed excited to wake up and see what Santa left for him under the Christmas tree during the night?

Once-yearly excitement is a big thing for a kid with a stable home life.

For one without it, the solidity of a yearly tradition is a big thing.

Speaking from experience on both sides of this situation, I'm kinda in favor of a light, enjoyable mystery for a kid to pursue. It's also a great, humble reminder later in life that what we've always experienced, we may be misinterpreting once we reflect on the reality of the situation.

I learned a lot from the mystery of Santa Claus. It can teach a lot of lessons, not least being the love of parents.

Look Up · Dec 8, 2011

Granting that in the secular, "of the world" US (where we live), the Santa Claus mystique (and commercialism) has in some sense long usurped the attention and adoration of Jesus in the Advent Season, yet as Christian parents, we were never uptight about such usurpation in our family, so with our young children we enjoyed the vaguely gracious and noble qualities of the much evolved red-clad character as portrayed in seasonal media favorites.

And we also taught our children about Jesus. Of course our children were taught of Jesus at home and school--Christian school--much more than seasonally. Eventually our children grew in maturity to the point when they were able to distinguish between the tooth fairy (and so on) and reality, not that we ever encouraged our children to "believe in Santa Claus." And as older children, any temptation to idolatry and selfish pleasures they endure comes from other sources than from our culture's version of Santa Claus.

cygnusx1 · Dec 10, 2011

I have three children , all grown up now , they never have believed in Santa Claus .

I told em from day one "it's made up to entertain kids" , they still got presents , I told them the truth , I said "these gifts are from The Lord by your parents and friends " , God has to be in everything , and Christmas should be all about thanksgiving.

btw , I also told them "other kids will have been told by their parents Santa's going to reward them with presents , they believe their parents and that is up to them , don't tell other kids and get into trouble " .

GrinningDwarf · Dec 13, 2011

We always kept Jesus the primary focus of the season, and always told the kids that Santa is a fun game of pretend that we play.

twin1954 · Dec 14, 2011

As a kid growing up with Santa as a big part of Christmas I don't know of any real spiritual harm that came from it. When my girls were small and I was an unbeliever we celebrated Christmas with Santa and It didn't seem to do them any great harm either.

Still when I was was a legalist I went so far as to refuse to deliver the paper on my paper route because it had a big picture of Santa on the front page. Now I don't have any Santas in any of the decorations in my home but don't make a big deal out of Santas in other folks homes.

When you think about it though he is an antichrist to be sure. He knows what everyone is doing, he can be all around the world at once, he gives gifts to those who are good and lives forever. But you have to pick your battles.

The fact is that the pygmy Jesus that is commonly taught and believed is a far greater danger to souls. He loves all men and died to save all men but can't actually save anyone without their permission.

GrinningDwarf · Dec 14, 2011

twin1954 said:
He loves all men and died to save all men but can't actually save anyone without their permission.

LOL! Do you have any idea what group you're posting in, bro?

twin1954 · Dec 14, 2011

GrinningDwarf said:
LOL! Do you have any idea what group you're posting in, bro?

Sure I do. Why would you ask? I certainly would think that Calvinists would recognize the false christ that the religious world calls jesus before anyone else. The false christ of free will works religion isn't the true Christ of Scripture. That is why I said that he is far more insidious and dangerouis than Santa.

cygnusx1 · Dec 14, 2011

Sounds like someone's fishing ^

twin1954 · Dec 14, 2011

cygnusx1 said:
Sounds like someone's fishing ^

Not fishing just stating an observation. I am not interested in debating things. If you can debate what you believe then what you believe is debatable.

cygnusx1 · Dec 14, 2011

twin1954 said:
Not fishing just stating an observation. I am not interested in debating things. If you can debate what you believe then what you believe is debatable.

it has nothing to do with debate , it has to do with compiling answers to use at a later date , I am not new here .

fish , copy , and then paste !

twin1954 · Dec 14, 2011

cygnusx1 said:
it has nothing to do with debate , it has to do with compiling answers to use at a later date , I am not new here .

fish , copy , and then paste !

I PM'd you.

GrinningDwarf · Dec 14, 2011

twin1954 said:
Sure I do. Why would you ask? I certainly would think that Calvinists would recognize the false christ that the religious world calls jesus before anyone else. The false christ of free will works religion isn't the true Christ of Scripture. That is why I said that he is far more insidious and dangerouis than Santa.

Got it. I didn't notice the sarcasm and thought you were making a straight statement.

cygnusx1 · Dec 17, 2011

Marx brothers : you cannotta kidda me , there is no Sanity Clause !

Santa Claus

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