How to seperate God and Santa

Emily - posted on 01/03/2010

I don't know if anyone mentioned this but I have some friends who celebrate St. Nicholas Day with their children. It's on his birthday which is some time in December. They learn about the real St. Nicholas and leave out socks at the end of their bed to be filled during the night, just like St. Nicholas did. My baby is too young, but this is what my husband and I plan to do with him when he is older. We do not feel comforable lying to him by saying that Santa comes flying in the night to bring presents. We agree that it would then be harder for him to believe us about Jesus.

Julie - posted on 01/03/2010

when I was a child, if you didn't believe in Santa, then you got a cold potato under the Christmas Tree. Having grown up in a Christian home and now married and a christian myself and also my husband, at first i thought that santa was fun, but I have really been convicted by the Holy Spirit, and something my husband said when we were first married. That Santa is just another way of spelling Satan, I thought what a stupid thing to say, but having asked my friends children who dont believe in God, there answers are Christmas is about getting stuff and Santa coming. When I ask them about Jesus, they simply say WHO, so what does that tell us. Santa really is just a wolf in Sheeps Clothing to me anyway. I think only the Holy Spirit can convict you and you need to make the decision for your family alone and not worry about everybody elses. Our two kids asked, we have a 6 and 4 year old and they where 4 and 2 when the asked if santa was real, we said no he was just a man dressed in a red suit. That Christmas had nothing to do with Santa or Saint Nicholas. It was all about Jesus. When then proceeded to tell them that Saint Nicholas was real and the story about him was referring to boxing Day, still nothing to do with Christmas. However when they hear about santa, they know him as St Nicholos. Concerning them letting others know by mistake, that is the price you may have to sacrifice. I have told my kids santa is only real if to others if they believe in him and that is their choice. Praise God for convicting me, I feel free about this issue for the first time in my life. I dont what to lie to them and I dont want them to lie either.

Joy - posted on 01/01/2010

I don't feel there is any harm in it. Yes we have taught our 5yr old that christmas is about Jesus being born in a manger long long time ago. He also learned that in preschool, but I think that their innocence is taken away from them so early that believing in something that isn't here for awhile is magical and exciting and he will learn soon enough and will be grown up soon enough also. So we will continue to tell him about our Saviour and when the time comes and he has questions we will answer him.

Jill - posted on 01/01/2010

I did some research some years ago (before internet!) on St. Nicholas...I taught my kids that at Christmas long ago there was a man (Nicholas) who loved the people in his town, knew others who needed food, and were so poor. So as a surprise he left presents in their stockings which were hanging on the bed footboard to dry. Others found out about this and copied him. He believed in God and knew about Jesus. He kept putting gifts in stockings till he got so old he died and went to heaven. He was happy. Now at Christmas time we copy him. He tried to copy God by giving to the poor and showed us one way how to do it. So now when we see the men dressed up as Santa in our town, we remember Saint Nick who was the real man who loved the poor and tried to copy Jesus by sharing. St. Nick was just a man, though, like us. That is what I told my kids as they grew up.

Tamra - posted on 12/31/2009

We've told our kids that Santa is a fun story to pretend. They know that "Santa" is Mommy, Daddy, Grandma, Granddad, aunts, uncles - whoever gives them presents. We leave the cookies and chocolate milk for "Santa", but the kids giggle b/c they know Daddy's going to eat their treat. But they have fun pretending. I've told them it's fun to pretend the story just like when they act out the Big Bad Wolf with Daddy. And they know that Christmas is all about Jesus' birth. That's just the way we've chosen to deal with it.

Brittney - posted on 12/31/2009

i have 3 young children... we told my 7 year old the truth about santa 2 years ago and he still talks about santa around christmas time sometimes u cant win for losing we just tell them the truth and let him decide for himself

Sara - posted on 12/31/2009

Check out the book Santa and the Christ Child. Good book to show who Santa is and who Jesus is without saying Santa is not real. I used this book many years in daycare and never had a child question Santa's existence and yet was able to bring Jesus back into the picture! I do not plan to teach my kids about Santa. When they ask I will let them know that others believe in him and that is ok (no different then allowing other religions to be who they are Jewish, catholic, pentecostal, etc.). I think that way they can be free form the lie yet able to allow others to believe in Santa.

Kathleen - posted on 12/29/2009

I know exactly what you are going through...my son is 6 and my daughter is 4. My husband and I stress that Santa is a nice story but that we wouldn't have Christmas without Jesus. I found a great little book that told a story of all the Christmas traditions but that the true meaning was Christ. As long as you instill those values in your children, they will grow up knowing the true meaning of the holiday! God Bless!

Valerie - posted on 12/29/2009

Funny story about this topic....when I was little my mom never said anything about santa one way or another because she didn't feel comfortable lying to us. We knew about santa just because of how prevelant he is. One day I asked her if Santa was real (I think I was 3 or 4) and she then told me about saint nicholas and who he was and what he did. I thought about it for a second then asked if he was now dead. She said that he lived a long time ago so yes he was now dead. That night when my dad came home I announced to him, "Guess what dad? santa's dead!" We still get a kick out of that story. Basically, if my kids ask, I'll tell them who santa clause really was but I don't intend to make a big deal one way or another. In our house we make Jesus a birthday cake and sing him happy birthday on Christmas morning along with the christmas story. That is more important in my mind. :)

Glenda - posted on 12/29/2009

I never believed in Santa growing up, but my husband did. His parents were not Christians & only went to church a few times a year. When he found out Santa Claus wasn't real, he then questioned the reality of Jesus. So, for different reasons, we both agreed that we would never teach our kids to believe in Santa Claus. My reasoning is simple--it's lying. Santa doesn't bring the presents, friends and loved ones do. I think it better teaches kids about giving out of love to know that we give presents to each other because the wise men came & gave gifts to baby Jesus. BTW, my kids still go to bed without much under the tree and awaken to find all the gifts, so you still get that wonderful Christmas morning excitement--just no Santa. Plus you don't have to go tiptoeing around trying to hide the truth from them and all the disappoint when they find out the truth.



(Incidentally, I have 4 kids, aged 9m to 11y.)

Kami - posted on 12/29/2009

I personally don't feel that telling kids about Santa is a lie. He was a real person, now he's just kind of a folk legend. My 3 kids still believe in Santa and I tell them once they don't believe in him he doesn't come anymore. I still believe in the things St. Nicholas taught like generosity, selflessness and caring for others. I don't feel that teaching these things to our kids through the image of Santa will in any way make them see Christ any less real.

We make Jesus a huge part of Christmas, when we put out our manger scene we read from the Bible about how it happened. We do this every year and the kids know and understand the Bible is truth and this is a real story about what actually happened. Santa is explained as a kindly toymaker who follows Christ's example and follows the tradition of giving gifts on Christmas, like Jesus came to bring us the biggest and best gift of all. We don't dwell on the how or why, he just does. So when my kids come to say "I don't believe in Santa" he just stops coming by for them and Mom and Dad take over the gift exchange.

In my opinion, Santa is real, he is with us every time we buy a toy for a child that's not ours or when we give to a charity like Operation Christmas Child or Toys for Tots, he's there just like Jesus is. But Jesus is and will always be the reason for the season and He and He alone is on the throne....period. God Bless.

Heather - posted on 12/22/2009

Everyone keeps mentioning how similar Santa and Jesus are. And your right, however, I personally view that as a bad thing. Here is a blog someone shared with me earlier this week. You should check it out.

http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/2141_thi...

Melissa - posted on 12/22/2009

I have a 7 year old son and he still believes in Santa. Unfortunatly this might be his last year cause he is starting to question a few things, but none the less, he believes. My son goes to church every Sunday so I am confident that when he finds out Santa is not real, that he will still believe in Jesus. The difference is that he is going to church to learn about God and there's a Bible that has all his teachings and such in it. What is there to prove there is a Santa....nothing. Plus, by the time your children figure out that there is no Santa, they will be older and can differentiate the difference between what is not real and what is. You will have no problem with them loosing faith in God. My son knows about Santa, but I make sure that he knows the REAL reason we celebrate christmas, and that is because it is Jesus' birthday. They will be alright. Best of luck. Happy Holiday's!!

Mary - posted on 12/21/2009

My boys are still little, 2 and 4, but I tell them that we give presents on Christmas because it is Jesus' birthday and Jesus is in each of our hearts. They do believe in Santa, and I do worry about them loosing sight of the real meaning of Christmas, so I'm hoping this explanation will help prevent that. We've also read the St. Nicholas story, so when it comes time for them to find out the truth, I plan to tell them that we play Santa to keep St. Nick's spirit of generosity and sharing alive. I've also been circling around the idea of "We give because He gave." I got that line from a Veggie Tales video, but I think its an awesome thought. I haven't discussed that with them much, as I think they're too young to understand, but I do plan to incorporate that idea in our future Christmas celebrations.

Lana - posted on 12/20/2009

I feel that it is really all about your child and how receptive they are to actuality and make believe. Santa is a part of Christmas for commercial reasons, Jesus is Christmas. The name of it says it all. First you need to find out just what your kids know about Santa and how they see him. That might help in explaining him better. But it comes back to you and your priorities. What is more important? Them enjoying the thought of Santa once a year, or enjoying Jesus for an eternity?

Margaret - posted on 12/20/2009

not so and they will learn the difference between the 2 as you teach them.Actuall y St Nick cared for the poor and so does Jesus and can certainly teach about how to share Christmas with others.Christmas at that young age should have wonder!Don't worry too much!God bless!

Kyle - posted on 12/20/2009

Quoting Heather:

I would look up the history of St. Nicholas and you might even find a story that they will understand. Santa reminds us of generosity and caring. I have a wonderful book that helps explain a little bit about Christmas. It mentions God and Santa. The book is called "God Gave Us Christmas" by Lisa Tawn Bergren. It is a very cute book with Polar bears as the characters. It shows how we can always see God. And how he gave us Christmas.
I believed in Santa when I was a kid, but for a very short time. And then after I knew the truth I still played along for fun.

Thank you, I will check this out!

Heather - posted on 12/20/2009

I would look up the history of St. Nicholas and you might even find a story that they will understand. Santa reminds us of generosity and caring. I have a wonderful book that helps explain a little bit about Christmas. It mentions God and Santa. The book is called "God Gave Us Christmas" by Lisa Tawn Bergren. It is a very cute book with Polar bears as the characters. It shows how we can always see God. And how he gave us Christmas.
I believed in Santa when I was a kid, but for a very short time. And then after I knew the truth I still played along for fun.

Nadine - posted on 12/19/2009

I personally don't think that the disbelief in Santa would in any way effect their belief in God (the question didn't even enter my or my sister's mind when we found out). God is all year round and the fact that Santa brings presents on Jesus's birthday is completely irrelevant to God's existence. That's just my opinion though (and my personal experience)

Guinevere - posted on 12/19/2009

Quoting Kyle: I would just tell her mommy & daddy do some presents and santa does some, if she ever asks. I have a 7 and 9 yr. old. One believes in santa the other don't. They both believe in God. So they don't really have a issue with it.  I don't think they will think Jesus isn't real. look around us tons of stuff you can prove about God.

How to seperate God and Santa

Would like to hear other moms input on letting children believe in Santa.
I am debating on how to go about telling my children about Santa. They know santa is a big part of Christmas for alot of people and is also the birthday of Jesus. Basicly I am afraid if I let my children believe in Santa then when they find out he is not real then they might think the same about Jesus since they are both a part of Christmas. My husband has no worries about this but i just don't want them to lose faith in God and think he is not real just because Santa is not real. My daughter is 5 and already believes in Santa but i havent told her any stories about him "flying around delivering presents to little boys and girls and stuff" she just knows he is a "special" person that comes around Christmas time.