Santa

[lilouisianagal]

...?

 

[seebs]

!




Seriously, what's the question?

 

[lilouisianagal]

How do you feel about santa?

 

[ps139]

Bishop of Myra in Lycia; died 6 December, 345 or 352. Though he is one of the most popular saints in the Greek as well as the Latin Church, there is scarcely anything historically certain about him except that he was Bishop of Myra in the fourth century.

Some of the main points in his legend are as follows: He was born at Parara, a city of Lycia in Asia Minor; in his youth he made a pilgrimage to Egypt and Palestine; shortly after his return he became Bishop of Myra; cast into prison during the persecution of Diocletian, he was released after the accession of Constantine, and was present at the Council of Nicaea. In 1087 Italian merchants stole his body at Myra, bringing it to Bari in Italy.

The numerous miracles St. Nicholas is said to have wrought, both before and after his death, are outgrowths of a long tradition. There is reason to doubt his presence at Nicaea, since his name is not mentioned in any of the old lists of bishops that attended this council. As early as the sixth century Emperor Justinian I built a church in his honour at Constantinople, and his name occurs in the liturgy ascribed to St. Chrysostom. Bishop Reginald of Eichstaedt (d. 991) is known to have written a metric, "Vita S. Nicholai." The course of centuries has not lessened his popularity. The following places honour him as patron: Greece, Russia, the Kingdom of Naples, Sicily, Lorraine, the Diocese of Liège; many cities in Italy, Germany, Austria, and Belgium; Campen in the Netherlands; Corfu in Greece; Freiburg in Switzerland; and Moscow in Russia. He is patron of mariners, merchants, bakers, travellers, children, etc. His representations in art are as various as his alleged miracles. In Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, they have the custom of making him the secret purveyor of gifts to children on 6 December, the day on which the Church celebrates his feast; in the United States and some other countries St. Nicholas has become identified with Santa Claus who distributes gifts to children on Christmas eve. His relics are still preserved in the church of San Nicola in Bari; up to the present day an oily substance, known as Manna di S. Nicola, which is highly valued for its medicinal powers, is said to flow from them.

I like the idea of Santa Claus, it makes the Christmas holiday lots of fun, and a special time - Christmas carols, Holiday Spirit etc.
The danger is that kids know more about Santa than Jesus, the Reason for the season. Parents should teach their children why we give gifts, that it is a season of giving and not getting, and that 2000 years ago God gave us the Greatest Gift of all.
As long as this is the focus of Christmas, Santa is alright. But unfortunately today Christmas has become a holiday of greed, and Jesus is nowhere present.
This doesnt mean Santa is the cause, it is the parent's inability/indifference in raising children, and the hijacking of the holiday by big business and the media. It wasn't always like this.

 

[sunshine]

I believed in Santa when I was little and I don't think I've been permanently scarred as long as it doesn't get too carried away, I see nothing wrong with it

 

[Shekinahs]

Blessings,

My parents always signed the gift card "from mommy and daddy" they never gave me anything from "santa" Their logic was santa didn't work every day for those gifts they did. LOLL.

I have no problems with santa for kids. I think it's cute.

~ShekinahMoon~

 

[seebs]

I personally have a problem with any attempt to convince kids that "Santa" is a real entity. I have no problem with telling them that it's a fun game of pretend.

 

[Miss Shelby]

Kids aren't dumb. My five year old had it figured out when she was four that Santa is a big bogus farce. She doesn't realize totally that she realizes it but last year one of the older kids yanked the beard of off her uncle and she said something to me then about not thinking Santa was real.

I took my kids down to the zoo last year when they had reindeer. These reindeer looked half dead. Their fur looked like it had been eaten by piranaha. My kids were all excited because they were going to see real reindeer. My older daughter looked up at me and said 'Mom, I don't think those reindeer really know how to fly' LOL. It won't be long before I am busted for lying to my kids.

Michelle

 

[River88]

I was raised with the belief of a Santa, and I thought it was a fun little game, but now I don't agree with it. Don't you think it is all a big lie? And don't forget the Ten Commandments: Thou Shalt Not Lie.

 

[msjones21]

I think that it's so special to see a child open a present they really wanted "Santa" to bring. I think that if the focus is Christ's birth then letting a child have simple faith in Santa is acceptable. After all, how can we teach our children about faith in what they cannot see if we don't allow them to believe in something as simple as Santa?

 

[Shekinahs]

...last year one of the older kids yanked the beard of off her uncle and she said something to me then about not thinking Santa was real.

I took my kids down to the zoo last year when they had reindeer. These reindeer looked half dead. Their fur looked like it had been eaten by piranaha. My kids were all excited because they were going to see real reindeer. My older daughter looked up at me and said 'Mom, I don't think those reindeer really know how to fly' LOL. It won't be long before I am busted for lying to my kids.

Michelle

Ok the visual of both those stories had me just

Taking your kids to the zoo $30.00
Buying them popcorn and candy $20.00
The moment your child paraphrases the Merry Christmas song... priceless

 

[indigo tree]

Hey I just noticed that you can re-arrange Santa to spell "satan."
Anyhow, I have no problem with the guy. From what I remember I was taught that he existed at first, but then I was told the sprirt of Santa only exists, and not a real man. I decided I was going to believe anyway, so I guess I must have been a rebel child.
I'll probably teach my kids that Santa once existed (St. Nicholas) and now his spirit lives on.

Of course telling you kids he actaully exists isn't really a bad thing. Its not like kids run around wailing, "You LIED to me mother!" upon discovering he does not exist. Most people will probably tell you that they enjoyed the magical expirience as a child , believing in Santa.

 

[Pacigoth13]

I think Santa is a terrible piece of mythology that like the rest of what we now know about Christmas has been projected back into the idea of 'Jesus being born'. The actual birth of Jesus has little, if anything, in common with Dec. 25. There should be a distinction in 'holidays'. Dec. 25 is in many ways the "celebration of the sun". Well fine, I'm happy to see winter leave too. This implies none of the mythology and deification that society puts into this time of year.

That said, the Christian idea of "celebrating the Son" is beneficial. However, we cannot literalise such a celebration, as we do not know when Jesus was born. We can, however, celebrate the Jesus experience every day in our hearts when we love others the way Jesus loved others. This is Christmas and it will happen everyday when we love one another.

 

[Pacigoth13]

P.s. Until then, perhaps I will spend December in a Muslim country, or something to that effect.

 

[He put me back together]

Nobody has a right to tell another person how to live their life and raise their children, but since this thread asks for a guy's two cents, here's mine:

Saint Nicholas was a good man--Santa is a lie. Teaching your kids about the little traditions around Christmas isn't so bad--and singing "Here comes Santa Clause" is just fun. Hanging up stockings and leaving cookies is not evil. But teaching your children that reindeer truthfully fly is simply wrong. In addition to it simply being a LIE, it tampers with their understanding of reality. Would you teach your kids that witches fly on brooms and the boogey man will devour them if they don't eat their brussel sprouts? It's ok to read stories to your kids--it's ok to have fantasies. But kids should know the difference between what is real and what is not. Don't lie to your kids. Tell them the truth.

 

[Kelly]

Doesn't Santa teach of selfless giving? At the dinner blessing, my daughter (4) likes to tell God what she is thankful for. Unlike our abstract and life large thank yous, her's are very straightforward and basic. "Thank you for candy" for example.

Anyway, a few nights ago she said "God, thank you for Santa for giving presents to boys and girls all over the world".

Every year, parents give to their kids through Santa, who ends up getting all their praise, the parents get none of it, directly. I think that aspect is sort of cool.

 

[Miss Shelby]

I was raised with the belief of a Santa, and I thought it was a fun little game, but now I don't agree with it. Don't you think it is all a big lie? And don't forget the Ten Commandments: Thou Shalt Not Lie.

When Jesus was telling parables, was He telling true stories?

Michelle

 

[secretdawn]

Doesn't Santa teach of selfless giving? At the dinner blessing, my daughter (4) likes to tell God what she is thankful for. Unlike our abstract and life large thank yous, her's are very straightforward and basic. "Thank you for candy" for example.

Anyway, a few nights ago she said "God, thank you for Santa for giving presents to boys and girls all over the world".

Every year, parents give to their kids through Santa, who ends up getting all their praise, the parents get none of it, directly. I think that aspect is sort of cool.

Good point. The whole idea of Santa is a great fun way to teach your kids about giving and charity. I really doubt it will harm anyone to have this fantasy, it is all in good fun. As long as Jesus remains the focus of the season and the children don't forget what it is all about, I think it is fine.

 

[purestdove]

I was raised with the belief of a Santa, and I thought it was a fun little game, but now I don't agree with it. Don't you think it is all a big lie? And don't forget the Ten Commandments: Thou Shalt Not Lie.

That is not one of the ten commandments, and I agree with a little bit of the Santa thing...because Santa was really a man who became known as St. Nicholas who brought presents to the poor and needy kids, and it was made a little fun game to play...but I do not agree with the parents having to lie to the children, the Bible DOES forbid us not to lie...I think if you make it something where you don't have to lie or deceive the child to really think there really is a Santa Claus...but tell them the true story of Santa Claus...BUT ALWAYS TEACH THEM THE REAL MEANING OF CHRISTMAS FIRST AND FORMOST!!!

Maybe an example of having the father dress up as Santa Claus...but telling the child who this Santa Claus really is (meaning the father) and it can just be a fun little game! So, River88 I do agree with what most of what you said, I would like to know more of your views, maybe you can teach me how it might be wrong...I am open to what you have to say. GF&ILY God bless.

 

[purestdove]

When Jesus was telling parables, was He telling true stories?

Michelle

Lying and telling parables are two TOTALLY different things. Also, children do not understand the "selfless giving", I watch children watching TV and when a toy commercial comes on they announce, "I WANT THAT!!!"
You rarely ever hear them announcing, "I'M GOING TO GET THAT FOR MY FRIEND!"

Now, tell me is that being selfless or selfish? Teach the child about Jesus, and His birth...that is more important than this Santa Claus stuff!