Santa?

Sandy - posted on 12/16/2010

We still have Santa as a part of Christmas, even though our boys know he is not real. When they were small, my husband and I were not strong in our faith, so Santa was ok to believe in. As the boys grew and we grew in our faith, we began to change our views in that we needed to teach them the essence of what Santa is. Then once they knew he wasn't real, we talked about where Santa really came from (a Coke commercial), but we also talked about St. Nick and what he stood for and how the world has taken all this and mashed it together. I have the ornament of Santa kneeling at the manger. I think that says it all. There is a great poem to go with it and I think it is a great thing to teach to children. We can be living in this world and not be of it. We can have fun with Santa, but teach our children the true meaning of Christmas.

Amy - posted on 12/15/2010

My personal reason for NOT doing Santa is that I just don't want to lie to my kids. We watched a pbs special on the history of santa and I explained that there was a man a long time ago who did good deeds and would help children with food/clothes, etc if they couldn't afford it. someone asked my daughter what santa was bringing her this year - she's 4 - and she politely said, "oh, he died a reeeally long time ago." I think she felt bad that the lady asking her didn't know! :) I don't have a problem with it depending on how it's done. If people teach kids that there are those, like santa, out there who like to try and do good without expecting anything in return, that's fine. But if they use it as a "you be good or else santa won't..." then I think it's awful. My child will probably be the one who "ruins" it for other people's kids. But my main concern was that if I tell her there's a real Santa right now and she finds out there isn't, she's not going to believe me that there's a God either. After all, she's seen santas, but never God....if that makes sense.

Michelle - posted on 12/15/2010

I am teaching my son that santa is from a person call Saint Nicolas who was very generous and loved God very much. He does not believe in the fictional santa (besides the fact that I feel like I would be lying to to him telling him there is still a santa claus and then later have to tell him "oh by the way I lied about santa") So in the spirit of St. Nick we give stockings.

Heidi - posted on 12/14/2010

I will tell her the story of Santa, but he will only be a small part of Christmas. Main focus being Jesus' birth and the true meaning of Christmas. I've known Christians who are very against Santa (even pointing out how Santa is just the word Satan if you move the letters around)--if find that to be hogwash. Santa means saint and the story is based on true happening about what one man did to help the poor and to help kids. It is a nice story--a story that has evolved a lot through the years to include the north pole, magic reindeer, elves ect. I will tell her that Santa Claus is just a story and that her mom and dad are the ones buying her the presents. I won't go as far as saying Santa is evil, but definitely want her to know the truth right away.

Toni - posted on 12/14/2010

My boys believe in Santa. They are also only allowed to ask for a few things, and sadly I have never thought of a thank you note. What a great idea!! They have been taught also why we celebrate Christmas. We say that Santa's magical sack is made from the swaddling clothes that Jesus wore, that is why it is special.
My husbands dad was a preacher, and we are the only one of his children that allow thier children to believe in Santa. I don't see why they shouldn't. He was a real person too. He really gave toys to children. I don't know, I just think it is fun, and as long as they know that it is ALL about Jesus...

Gail - posted on 12/13/2010

Hi Melissa, I usually pass when I see you already have had a lot of responses, but I thought my angle was more unique and you and others might appreciate this angle:
My girls are adults now, but when they were younger I decided to address this with research of "Santa Claus" there is a real one out there, in fact there are others in other cultures with slightly different names too. The root story I found was a man who was sorry for a family of young women who could not marry because they were to poor to have a dowery (the only way they often could marry back then) So he tossed some coins into their window where they had their stockings hanging. HIs act was a christian act of good will. Learning the history was very instrumental for helping us decide how we thought of this Character and how we would respond to this person in history. Looking at the heart of Christ, it is not about us, and it is not our birthday it is Christ's so with the heart to put others above ourselves we found a number of interesting ways to celebrate Him.
The Scriptures tell us regarding holidays, feast, festivals and the likes, "What ever you do, do to the glory of God". (celebrating or not celebrating!)
My husband often states we don't celebrate Christmas, but the truth is we celebrate the spirit of Christmas in a unique way, many of the years have expressed it in a variety of ways, And I feel, and I think my duaghters do too the memories were precious and carried Christ through and through. If you desire I can share some of the different ways we did this over the years. Blessings as you seek Him in your journey to celebrate HIM!

Susan - posted on 12/13/2010

We went to the North Pole the other night with our 14 mo old! We will keep Santa in my daughter's life because there are so many learning points between the belief in Santa and the belief in Christ. As children grow older they hear the stories of St. Nicholas, Kris Kringle, Nester the Christmas Donkey, as well as the wisemen (btw the Bible doesn't specify how many wisemen), shepherds, angels, and our God incarnate - Jesus.

My favorite Christmas painting is one where Santa (Kris Kringle) is kneeling before the Christ Child (Christkindl in German) in complete and solomn reverence. How awe-inspiring it is!!! To me, that solidified that Jesus IS the king of kings and lord of lords! Also the parallels of the jolly Gift Giver bowing before the One who gives life to all who receive Him is too much for words. It's easy for a child to understand that you must believe in Santa to receive a gift. That lesson so easily translates to one must believe that Christ is the Son of God to receive the gift of eternal life.

Santa shouldn't be considered a "lie" (and it's sad that anyone would tell a child that Santa is a lie) for it's not the person of Santa that we as Christians stress but the SPIRIT of CHRISTKINDL.

Also, your child might not react the same way you did when you learned "the truth." Btw I still believe in the SPIRIT of Santa because I know if it weren't for a little teenage girl and her new husband submitting to the will of the Father 2000 years ago, that spirit of the ultimate gift would have never happened and where would we be but lost and hopeless.

Marye - posted on 12/13/2010

I raised 4 children and we don't feel that we had lied to them, we were Santa , the tooth fairy and the easter bunny. They loved it when they were young and share it with their children now. My husband and I are raising two of our 12 Grandchildren and they are 11 and 13. They still think there is a Santa but in the back of their minds they have a feeling that it is us. We love the Lord with all our hearts and they know that he is the most importand person in our lives. They know that he is the reason for the season and that is what is important.

Kim - posted on 12/13/2010

I am not judging, Dont just follow the trend,just listen to that nagging in your head / heart. It's happening for a reason....everything good comes from God.Know your bible..and you will know in your heart the right thing to do..none of us are perfect..we are all sinners but for Jesus..There is NO easter bunny...there is NO santa....tell me why these fun things ,..(make believe) that apeals to our innocent little ones , which makes it hard to not participate.
The bible never tells us to follow pagan rituals. The information on all these pagan rituals are easy to find and see for yourself.Jesus never told us to give up passover....why did we???? He never said to follow and worship anything other than God. Read your bible , know it , dont be decieved . You cant guarrantee that your children will follow as they get older...dont stress, keep praying...dont keep God in a box. I want my whole family saved, dont you?
If it came to the crunch...who is more important
God or santa
Is it really that hard to choose....

Amy - posted on 12/11/2010

I believe the best idea would be to not lie to your child. It may seem like a small thing but God hates lies. And also when the child finds out that Santas not real how can you explain that Christ/God are real. :) Sometimes its hard to be different than the world.

Bridgette - posted on 12/11/2010

When I was young, my parents told me that Santa was real. At 3, I started asking how did he get into peoples homes who had no fireplace etc. When they could not answer me logically, my mom actually hired a guy dressed as Santa with a one reindeer sleigh. I called her on it and would not believe anything she said for a couple of years without verification of some kind! We were not a church going family, but it made an impact. At that time, I decided that I would NEVER lie to my children about something so trivial. They know it is just a fun thing that some people believe and some don't. I have had to teach them to respect other peoples traditions so as not to hurt their family relationships, though. Really, what you choose to teach them is your own business and you should be happy with what you have chosen to do. When it comes to these kinds of questions, I like to look to 1 Corinthians 10:23-31. I hope that helps:)

Brooke - posted on 12/11/2010

We tell the true story of St. Nicholas, who had such great faith in Jesus Christ, miracles were performed through him. We make sure our daughter knows that he was a real man that lived and died many years ago, and he loved Jesus. He showed his love for Jesus by loving the people in his care. We give gifts to each other to celebrate Jesus' gift of eternal life.

Mary - posted on 12/11/2010

I only have one question, who or what is Santa? I taught my children that we celebrate Christmas in celebration of the birth of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Not that it is the day of his birth, but that he was born. We also use the time as a season of gift giving. We start on Thanksgiving Day by everyone giving thanks to God for what he has done for them during the year. Santa is no where in our celebrations.

Victoria - posted on 12/11/2010

Calling Him Father Christmas almost makes it worse, because that's seriously put him above God at least verbally. Anyway each to there own, some who tells my kids off for lying, explaining to them that the bible says all liars go to the same place (and it's NOT heaven) I still will NOT lie to my kids, by telling them that santa, father christmas or whatever you want to call it is real.

Jesus is the reason we celebrate this season, like the feasts of old, we set aside a time to celebrate something God has done.

BLESSINGS

Laura Zoey - posted on 12/11/2010

But wouldn't Joseph be father Christmas? Or God for that matter!

Lody - posted on 12/10/2010

I think that's the correct way to do it. Some Christians rant and rave about the whole Santa thing and how kids should be taught the real reason for celebrating Christmas. I'm a born again Christian and I cannot see why my kids can't have the best of both worlds? They too believe in Santa and understands that it is Jesus' birthday we are celebrating. They too write Santa letter asking for a couple of things of which they only get one and then they also get one gift from Daddy and I know. They fully comprehend that JESUS is the reason we celebrate Christmas and it is also a time we should be good to others. In future I would like to teach them to buy a gift for someone who doesn't have the priviledge of having a loving family to share this joyous occasion and so teach those kids about Jesus too. You keep Santa alive for you kids and continue teaching them about Jesus... in my opinion you're doing the right thing! x

Victoria - posted on 12/10/2010

That is true, God rearranged makes Dog......Mans best friend, and often a substitute for the only true best friend any of us could have.....God. Still interesting.

Laura Zoey - posted on 12/10/2010

Very interesting Victoria! Never saw that before, although rearrange the letters of god and you get dog.... :) but Yahweh, Jehovah, Jesus, I think those are pretty un- rearrangable !

Victoria - posted on 12/10/2010

I find it interesting that if you rearrange the letters in santa ever-so slightly you get satan. when satan was the arch-angel lucifer, he was jelous and wanted to receive praise like God. Look at santa, something that trys to take the glory away from God on a day that we have set aside specifically to celebrate Christ. Just a thought.

Ann - posted on 12/10/2010

It's hard to buck the trend but, we tried to focus on Jesus. We didn't have a tree. We put presents under the manger, explaining that we did this as an act of love just like God gave His Son as an act of love. We say Santa is from a story about an old legend, or fairy tale, based on a real believer in Jesus. We made a birthday cake for Jesus, sang happy birthday, and tried to focus as much on Him as possible. They still got presents, but when they got older, they were encouraged to think of things to give to Jesus. So, it is a blend of things, giving gifts to show appreciation and love for the people in your life, but NOT over doing it. Being fully aware of who the reason for the season is, and making sure His birthday is celebrated. And allowing for joy. We told our kids to respect the beliefs of other children about Santa. (In other words, don't deflate their baloon) and still left just a little mystery about it.

Susan - posted on 12/10/2010

"I grew up in Brazil and most Christians there think of Santa as the antichrist." I guess that is how I feel. What does "anti" mean? "Informal opposed to; against" When Santa takes the place of Christ in our worship or center of a celebration, this puts him "opposed to" Christ. You could just as well say "Santa" is "Baal". It is what we do with each thing that puts either Santa or Christ first. Christ is supposed to be first in our lives. If we add Santa, even if we put Christ first, most of the time our children will not remember Christ but Santa because he is portrayed all over the place during this time of year. Personally, I place Christ first all year long and do not push giving or receiving gifts for any particular day of the year. Any day can be a day for this. Why just make it when "Santa comes"?

Kristi - posted on 12/10/2010

Our daughter goes to see Santa at the mall to tell him what she wants, but she doesn't get gifts from him - they are from us and the family. She's 2 1/2 and loves to pray to Jesus and for other people so we are not bringing Santa into the mix other than for a visit at the mall.

Candy - posted on 12/10/2010

We have fun with it. I love Christmas and Santa. We do the letter but we also know the real reason for the season. We also do thank you notes to all that give to us including santa. I think you can blend to two nicly and not lose the true meaning of the season.

Lu - posted on 12/10/2010

I grew up in Brazil and most Christians there think of Santa as the antichrist. We don't do Santa and did explain to our children that Santa is not real, just like the tooth fairy and the Easter bunny. My 6 year-old was actually scared of Santas in stores when she was little. They know that we celebrate Jesus' birthday on Christmas and our church even has happy birthday Jesus Christmas parties. They know we celebrate Jesus' death and resurrection on Easter. We have also tried to teach them to be sensitive to kids who do believe, telling them that it's their parents' choice to play make believe and that someday they will know the truth. I don't think I'm taking away their innocence because they still have a great imagination and have a lot of fun decorating the tree and making cookies, and of course opening gifts from mom and dad and other family members on Christmas eve. Just make sure that your child knows that Jesus is real and keep your focus on him and don't dwell on Santa. I'm sure you have been doing that. Merry Christmas to all! Jesus is the reason for the season!

Melissa - posted on 12/10/2010

i was young and not really knowing how I wanted to do santa so he was big, now that I am older I wish I would have done it this way...the right way. i think you have teh right mind and are doing a great job. God bless you!

Onny - posted on 12/10/2010

Regardless of what you teach them the world tells them about Santa @ Christmas time. I tell my kids this... St Nicholas was real. He was a bishop from Myra who gave secret gifts (gold coins) to those in need out of his love for Christ and his desire to bless others. The idea of the American Santa developed when news of the generosity of St. Nicholas spread. As a believer we know that St. Nick lives eternally in the kingdom of God, still doing the Lord's work. When we give and recieve gifts at Christmas it is done to spread the love of God - a reflection of the gift God gave us in Jesus - JUST LIKE ST. NICK DID. If that is your belief then the same Spirit that guided St. Nicholas to give to others is still alive and well in your Christmas celebration. Western Chirstmas stories tell us that "Santa" has helpers (elves). When we give to others from the heart - especially those in need - WE in a sense are Santa's (St. Nick, St Nicholas) helpers and his spirit of giving lives on. I tell my kids that I have never seen Santa but I know that God's Spirit of love and generosity that St. Nick works through is alive and well today. We adopt a needy family or child to buy gifts for at Christmas time. We talk about the real story of St. Nick and we pray over the gifts before we send them on their way. We also buy for each other and "Santa" fills stockings and brings one gift. Once the kids are older I will not have a lot of "explaining" to do b/c I have not lied to them about Santa. I instead have told them from the start about God's Spirit prompting us to spread love and generosity and we have practiced it in our home - taking our example from St. Nick. There are books and websites that tell the story of St. Nick. We make that part of our Christmas reading tradition. Christmas is a great time to spread God's love and bless others - THAT is what the "real Santa," St. Nicholas, was all about.

Shirley - posted on 12/10/2010

Now that I am saved, I don't have little ones. I did the whole Santa thing when my son was little. It was a big mistake. I should have taught him more about the Saviour's birth and the true meaning of Christmas. Tell the child the truth. It's harder later to explain to them the lie the Santa is about. It's wiser to explain the real reason for gift giving.

Rochelle - posted on 12/10/2010

I love Christmas and all its beauty, but yes teach your children the right purpose on Christmas...the birth of Jesus Christ, but dont make santa out to be so small because Santa was true at one time...just got glorious through out the years....St. Nicholous was a very true person and on Christmas Eve he would go to the childrens orphanage and pass out gifts to the children...we just carried on this tradition to our own children throughout the years....I hope this helped....Merry Christmas to you and your family

Kim - posted on 12/10/2010

Hi Melissa, I told my son that there was no santa at a very young age, and he accepted it very well.As I grew as a christian I didn't want to lie to my child and I didn't want my children's attention and love to focus on someone that isn't reall. As I have grown and read the bible for itself I felt that we shouldn't celebrate christmas at all.Don't ever stray from the truth with your children they accept the truth 9 out of ten better than adult's.
Godbless you and keep you all well
Kim

Catrina - posted on 12/09/2010

Santa is not a lie. I grew up knowing that there is a Santa or Santa's out there that help the needy and bring gifts. I also was crushed when I found out he was not actually real but my mom made me realize he brings gifts to kids and that there used to be a Santa and that is where we got that from. She still to this day does Santa for me and I am 25 lol. I have children of my own and make sure like my mom did to let them know that Jesus is the reason for the season. He only gets 1 gift from Santa and a stocking. I also was 1 to say that I was going to tell my son the truth about it but there are Santa's out there and we aren't lying.

Selinda - posted on 12/09/2010

We have never really celebrated Christmas as Jesus' birthday, since His birth was most likely around March. We celebrate His death, burial and resurrection every Sunday as we partake the Lord's Supper. However, we have recently decided to go along with the whole Chist is the reason behind the season idea (I mean, we celebrate our dog's birthday even though we don't know when it is, and how much more important is Christ being born, right?) But we still celebrate it as a secular holiday and have Santa. We have an ornament that we bought a few years back that has "Letters to Santa" on it. They write a letter to him and he always leaves one for them. We save these letters every year as a Christmas memory. Another thing we do is we always try to help someone who is less fortunate than we are. We talk about how blessed we are and not everyone is as blessed. There are LOTS of places to get names and wish lists for these people. But we always do it anonymously (like Santa). We try to take the focus off of us and what we want and put it out there as a way we can serve as Christ would want us to.

Gabrielle - posted on 12/09/2010

My kids have attended Catholic school before, and one of the traditions me and my oldest son do are sing at Midnight mass each Christmas. It's especially a special time for us because he is also singing songs from his Czech heritage (He's almost ten and has been singing with me since he was 6 years old.)

Gabrielle - posted on 12/09/2010

As far as Santa goes, I have taught my boys that the real Santa cannot be seen by us, but the ones we see in malls and such are Santa's helpers. I think what you're doing sounds good.

April - posted on 12/09/2010

I think that our children should be celebrating the true meaning of Christmas. Anything else would just take away from that. It is not easy to be a Christian parent, but some things we just have to pray to God for strength to be consistent with our beliefs. I believe that is one reason that of our society has been able to become a "neutral" part of religion because no one is strong to their faith and the ones who are treated to be shunned or not "PC".

Tracy - posted on 12/09/2010

After answering this question the other day, I talked with my oldest and they way she viewed Santa was pretty good I think. Simply put, while Jolly Old St. Nick is a fictional character based on a saint, he does bow down to Jesus. At age 17, she enjoys helping put the added touches to our Christmas celebrations when the youngest goes to bed.

Kelly - posted on 12/09/2010

As long as you keep the focus on the birth of Jesus...you are fine. Sounds like you do what I do...We sing happy birthday to Jesus with a cake and ice cream after reading the story of Jesus' birth.

Jenna - posted on 12/09/2010

We have discovered that the best way to look at the Santa situation is that we are teaching our children to believe in magic.There really is magic in this world and we feel it is healthy for a child to share in the magic and wonder of, not only Christmas, but everything around them. When they are old enough, we pull them aside and tell them that sometimes magic needs a little help. Then we offer them the chance to help make magic for other. My older children love making the magic real for my younger children. They think it is the neatest thing to be one of Santa's helpers and keep "the secret" so that their siblings can experience the magic of the season. They know that Jesus is real and that he too needs help in order to give to those in need. Santa is just an alias for those who give.

Lugene - posted on 12/09/2010

I just never taught my son about Santa- only about the true meaning of Christmas. He heard about Santa and I explained the concept to him. I also urged him to not tell his friends that there was no santa as that was up to their parents. He had a deep understanding due to the way that we taught him. At four he came to me and asked me if it was ok to pretend that there was a santa that year and we told him sure! Kids love to pretend and that same year he thought himself Master Splinter from the Ninja Turtles.

Elena - posted on 12/08/2010

so my son knows its jesus birthday and we don't mind the santa decor, pics, movies. my son knows santa is not real he says his family is santa.lol but he knows the truth.

Melissa - posted on 12/08/2010

We talk about the 3 wise men bringing gift to Jesus. If we give gifts from anyone other than is we always say that they are from the 3 Wise Men. Then we talk about being the 3 Wise Men for someone else who does not have any gifts. We often take gifts to other children and they are given from the 3 Wise Men. We do not do Santa at all and our kids like it that way. Christmas is all about Jesus in my house. We even sing "Happy Birthday Jesus."

Melanie - posted on 12/08/2010

My husband and I had to discuss this as our daughter is 2.5 this Christmas. At first he didn't think it was a good idea but he talked to a wonderful godly co-worker and she agreed with me. We teach our children the true reason/meaning of Christmas but it's ok to include Santa...it's just for a few years and it adds to the wonder, excitement and imagination of a child!

Maria - posted on 12/08/2010

Saint Nicokalas was a monk that loved to give to the needy.After he passed way other took his palce doign the same. That is how the santa's tradition started..the spirit of giving is santa.
Good luck!
Merry Christmas

Teresa - posted on 12/08/2010

Susan, we give gifts to our children and others as representation of the gift that Jesus gave to us. I don't decorate the tree.... my kids do that... and it's a plastic one.

I see that you are very convicted of this and that is fine, but it doesn't mean that others that disagree w/ you are wrong either.

Michelle - posted on 12/08/2010

we tell our children that Christmas is only about Christ, we do let them do the school plays etc. but my husband do not give them or others gifts on Christmas because its is the celebration of Christs birth, and when it is our birthday we get the attention for that day its our day, so we want to make one whole day just about Christ.

Susan - posted on 12/08/2010

If we truly want to be "Christ like" (which is what Christian means) and obedient to the Lord we will do as He says. If you want your children to show their love for you, they will do your bidding. That is all God really wants of us.

Amanda - posted on 12/08/2010

We too teach our children & celebrate the true meaning of Christmas...we do advent, devotionals, and talk about Jesus all throughout the month, obviously more than most other months. However, I love Santa and the innocence of him and the look on the kids faces when they find out Santa came. I am very sad that this will probably be our last year as a family where all three kids believe in Santa! It's just a fun thing to do, so long as that's not the focus.

Tracy - posted on 12/08/2010

Each year Santa gives our girls (ages 9,16 &17) a small nativity priced under $10 and an ornament for the tree. As for the Santa gifts that are normally under the Christmas tree, we wrap them from all sorts of characters from the movies. (also the tooth fairy gives the girls dental equipment). Any big ticket items are given from Mom & Dad, not a fictional character. We also keep our large family Nativity up year round on the entertainment center where are TV is located. We also have the book that talks and shows Santa kneeling at the manger.

Trisha - posted on 12/08/2010

we aren't going to teach our son about santa. we are going to explain to him how hes a part of christmas, but arent going to lead him to believe that his presents are from him. we are going to focus christmas on christ, the real reason for christmas. both of our sets of parents say we are ruining the spirit of christmas, which just makes us realize we are doing the right thing. i think u are doing a good thing too. your children are understanding that christmas is about jesus and not santa!!!!

Jennifer - posted on 12/07/2010

@Susan My daughter and I both have tiaras. We (I) wear mine when I clean the house. Breaks up the monotony. And with the Lord as our Father I feel justified... Plus when people are over the tiara is a nice segue into discipleship... LOL... That's how I get 'em! Just kidding. This is my email and blog signature: *The Jesus Loving Princess*

*Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Luke 6:22 *

Loved your post. :) Be blessed!

Nikkole - posted on 12/07/2010

@Natasha Well said! Everyone is entitled to there own beliefs and family traditions!