Santa & Christmas

Susan - posted on 02/07/2013

For some reason, my twins (8 yrs old) never got into Santa.

In fact, last year we were at the mall, and passed by a bored Santa. The guy taking the pictures tried to get the twins to have a picture made, but they just said, "Nah."

The man said, "Come on. This is Santa! He's the greatest!"

My sweet little Connor looked at him, shook his head, and said, "Jesus is WAY better than Santa."

The man's mouth dropped open, and it was all I could do not to cheer.

Stephanie - posted on 03/30/2012

My child is an academically gifted third grader. Her imagination has not been harmed by the fact that we have always told her the truth. She loves Jesus and knows that He is worthy of her focus. She is thankful that her parents did not lie to her. Be blessed this Easter!

Faith - posted on 12/24/2011

sorry that was the norse god odin or woden. an they also celebrated the winter soltice.

Faith - posted on 12/24/2011

hi! i dont want to hurt anyones feeling but the bible says all liars will have their part ing the lake of fire an santa is a lie the whole thing is a made up story. its acctually a pagan holiday. the sun God s birthday was on dec 25. there was a false god by the name of alden with the same attributes as santa an actually look like him. the christmas tree was also a heathen god jerimah 10:3. if u want to know more u can research it on the web. i have taught my children the truth bout santa. an they are proud of what they belive in an are not ashamed.(a little untruth in sometruth still makes it a lie)

Denikka - posted on 10/16/2011

Santa is actually a Christian Saint. His day is actually December 6th. I personally see no reason to completely exclude Santa from the teachings.
What you could do it teach the true story of Saint Nicholas. That he was a very generous man who especially tried to help children. You can teach that he was a good example of Christ's teachings of kindness and generosity. And because he was such a good example, we remember him around Christmas time so that we can follow his example to follow the word of Christ.

I personally see no reason to teach that Santa isn't real. In actuality, it would be a lie to say that he never existed, because he did. That would be like saying Mother Teresa never existed. These people should not be passed off as fairy tales. Their true story should be told and used as an example for the kind of behaviors that should be emulated.

Toni - posted on 10/16/2011

I am a mother to an eight year old and I have explained the true meaning of Christmas being Jesus' birthday we read the Christmas story and I have explained that I am the person who buys the gifts so that she understands that Santa Claus isn't real!! Though I have no problem with her seeing Santa on the street, in the stores, on tv and getting excited! Once she understands that he isn't real and the real reason behind the season is Christ!

Lareashia - posted on 08/23/2011

I just tell my girls the truth about its make believe and we just don't celebrate a lie

Marina - posted on 03/31/2011

Your little one I feel is too young to really comprehend the "heavy" part yet so go simple. When its Christmas give him the presents so he knows Mommy and Daddy give it to him and read the Christmas story (you can find some great Board Books from Tommy Nelson, Zonderkidz etc) And another thing we love doing is having a cake that be put candles on and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus on Christmas morn. Allow him to enjoy the experience of seeing Santa around at Fests and the Mall but as he grows explain to him that Santa is a fun character like Mickey Mouse or the Wonderpets and maybe you can sit down and watch Veggie Tales DVD Saint Nick with him.

Amber - posted on 10/30/2010

My husband and I have talked an talked about this since our first child's first christmas. We have decided that we are going to teach our children that we celebrate Christmas as Jesus's b-day. To her that is that. When she is asked what Christmas is she responds Jesus's b-day. Santa is nothing more then a character like Dora or Thomas. She can still have fun with the idea of Santa as a fictional character. Santa never has and never will bring her presents on Christmas. When the children are a bit older we will teach them about St Nicholas and his love for God and for children.

Debra - posted on 10/28/2010

When my kids was little they enjoyed all the holidays. But at the same time I taught them the true meaning to each holiday. Christmas time...they enjoyed sitting on santa's lap but they knew the true meaning of christmas. at easter they hunted eggs but they knew that Jesus rose from the grave. they knew that no bunny was laying eggs. this is what I did, just listen to what your heart is telling you.

Erica - posted on 04/02/2010

I had or do not have any intentions in partaking in the whole Santa Claus, Easter bunny or Halloween just so my daughter won't be left out. I feel that a lot of people, who are Christians make a mistake in this. If you want to have your child grow up in the belief system of Christ and his whole meaning, and to know whats right or wrong, I feel that you should tell them the truth. At my church, my pastor does a good job of having youth session during different holidays to show the whole meaning of each holiday and the origination of how Santa Claus, the Easter bunny, and Halloween came to be, so that the children can grow up in knowing whats what. The only issue I have is my daughters father who feels different in that its harmless children's fun, which I disagree with. But everyone is entitled to their own beliefs and raising of their children.

Nickole - posted on 12/01/2009

Ok well this is how im doing it " I have a 2 year old and a 4 month old" we have told him the truth about Christmas ' jesus bday" and santa comes the nite before to delivers gifts so on christmas we can celebrate jesus birthday. So to sum it up santa is just a man that loves jesus so much he wants everyone to celebrate the birth of jesus so he deliveres gifts so we can all have a party to celebrate. Make sence?

Amberle - posted on 09/25/2009

I'm going to have this same problem...My husband never had Santa when he was younger, but I did...Even though my family went to church and I of course knew the right reason behind Christmas, but I love the idea of Santa Claus and I love Santa decorations...My husband doesnt want our daughter, 2 yrs old, to believe in Santa, but I think that's pretty crazy, especially since she will be going to a public school...I think that Jessica had a great idea....I'll try that...thanks

Melissa - posted on 09/06/2009

I know I'm new to this conversation,but my husband and I struggled with this same thing.If you tell them that Santa,the Easter bunny and the tooth fairy are real and then one day tell them they're not,they will wait for the day you tell them God is not real either.

Sekeithia - posted on 06/11/2009

He is to young to know the truth about santa, just keep teaching about Christ and when he gets older tell himthe truth. My 9 & 7 year old know that santa is not real. They know it's by the grace of God we have the funds to buy christmas toys for them. You don't have to stress about that conversation right now. Keep teaching him about Jesus.

God Bless

sekeithia

Amanda - posted on 04/10/2009

I was not raised with Santa or Easter Bunny. I have always told my kids the truth. It's all they know. If they want to get their pic done with Santa I let them.  Recently my seven year old asked about how do we know Jesus is real and not someone we only read about.  I like the idea of letting them know about St. Nicholas and leaving it at that.

Leigh - posted on 02/02/2009

my older kids r 5yrs & 8yrs & they know alot about Santa . that is a guy in a costume, that most countrys have their own traditions etc & the story of St Nick. They also know that Santa represents love, sharing, giving etc etc.

they have always know Santa isn't "real" & every year we talk more about the reasons we celebrate Christmas (being Jesus' birth, of course!)  & what that means for us today etc etc. As a family we try to avoid the commercialism & concentrate on Jesus

As to Danielle's comment, I think that many people realize that Christmas is not the actual date of Christ's birth. but just because the date is incorrect doesn't mean you can't celebrate the birth of our Saviour! the Bible doesn't have a rule against celebrating birthdays on the wrong day. my daughter was born 2 days after Christmas & we've chosen to do most of the celebrating of her birthday a few weeks into the new year. that way she gets our undivided attention! And for Christmas, because we live away from our extended families,  we usually end up having 2 to 3 "Christmases"! One in mid Dec with one side of our family, one on Christmas with our immediate family & another in mid Jan with other relatives. the important thing is not the gifts or the date but the love of your family & the birth of Christ. I am not lying to my kids when we celebrate Christmas in Dec.

Danielle - posted on 01/30/2009

One of the most important things to remember is never lie to your child. So many times we tell them about Santa Clause and the Easter bunny because we don't want them to be left out. I have never taught my children about these things because of the history behind Easter and The lie of Christmas. Christmas is not about the birth of Jesus Christ.! This may be an unpopular thing to hear but truth is truth. Jesus was  born sometime aroung September.If you want more information about this and other holidays please visit our website nuvisionministry.com and click on tracts. It is all lined out for you.

Deborah - posted on 12/18/2008

My daughter and I make a birthday cake or cupcakes for Christmas morning every year. I want her to know who Christmas is really a celebration for before we dig into gifts. As far as Santa goes, we explained that he is like a cartoon character...fun to think about but not real. It has worked great for us because she has "fun" with Santa. If we go to a mall or some other store, she loves to go and sit on Santa's lap and talk to him, but doesn't take it too seriously. Between her Father and I, church, and that she attends school at our church, she definitely knows the real reason behind Christmas.

Krista - posted on 11/12/2008

We are really starting to address this as well with our 3 year old. It wasnt a big deal until now because she hasn't talked about Santa and we haven't brought it up. We choose not to teach Santa but Christ to our children as well. I have gotten a couple of books about Saint Nick and we talk about how he was a good man who did great things for God but that he loved Jesus and that he would want us to remember Jesus' birthday. So we are having a big birthday party for Jesus at Christmas. I also take time to explain that we give gifts at Christmas as a way to remember and celebrate how God gave us the greatest gift of all. If she was to ask to sit on Santa's lap at the mall I would let her but remind her that we know Santa was really a man who lived a long time ago that gave gifts to others but that he died like everyone else. I think its okay to let them be curious about it but at the same time I want my kids to know that what I tell them is truth and that they don't have to doubt what I tell them. Plus it is important for us that the focus of Christmas is Jesus and not Santa because truly that is what Christmas is about. One book I have that I read is Santa are you for real? by Harold Myra. This book is great on explaining St. Nick and how he loved Jesus and the great things he did. The only thing is the last couple sentences and last picture the boy looks out the window and sees Santa Clause. It ruins the book a little for me but I usually skip the very end of the book and just cover the important stuff.

Tara - posted on 11/11/2008

Great question and great response. My husband and I have discussed this issue as well. My family did the santa thing growing up and I have fond memories of it. I don't remember ever actually believing he existed, though. I knew my parents were the ones who put the gifts under the tree, but I thought it was still fun to pretend that santa came down the chimney. I think the St. Nick suggestion is great, though. I never want santa to overshadow what is REALLY important during the Christmas season.

I recently heard of a family who only gives 3 gifts to each child, plus a stocking, for Christmas. They like to tie that tradition to the story of the 3 wise men who brought Jesus 3 gifts. I thought that was a cool idea (not that it has anything to do with santa....just got off on a tangent there LOL)

Alicia - posted on 11/11/2008

Thanks Jessica. That's actually a great suggestion. My husband and I both accepted Christ in our 20's so we both grew up with Santa. We don't want to lie to our son, so I think telling him about Saint Nicholas would be good. God bless you too:)

Jessica - posted on 11/11/2008

I am a new mom too and i definately want my Son Teagan (11mths Old) to firsta nd foremost know that Chirstmas is about Jesus Christ, however like u i want him to enjoy Christmas with the thoughts of Santa as well, My husband and i struggled with this for a while and then decided that he can have both worlds to coexsist...Saint Nicholas is how Santa come along and he delived toys to the neddy children around the world...I want Teagan to know that Santa is a man who God gives the oppertunity to go out and give all the children he saw being good that year get toys just from him...i now others may disagree but i think it is healthy for our children to have an imagination....i hope that this helps you out...God Bless