Santa

[~Shalhevet~]

Why is it Christmas day that everyone feels obligated to dedicate to Jesus and not every other day?

Amen, amen and AMEN!

[artsylady]

Is Santa any different than your favorite TV character or the significant other that may steal away your attention from things spiritual?

I'm going to borrow Traveller's post from another thread because I think it sums it up very well.

The reason is because Santa is so different from most childhood fantasies. Santa is one upon whom the children base their dreams, their hopes. Christmas has been made to be a time of year for reflections, and stories of miracles, and times of change for the good. It is a time that parents build up for the children, to bring joy and excitement. All this wonderment, this magical time, this surreal environment is revolving around a fictional character that does no wrong, fulfills dreams, is a user of great magic, and completly loves children. Certainly I'm not speaking of the many families of believers who place Christ first and foremost in their childrens lives. But children are subjected to books, movies, songs, plays, downtown Santas and traditional stories from their very first Christmas. All this is to give them one night and one day filled with anticipation and joy.

Of course the children learn to expect certain things from Santa, and to place faith in his appearance, and to hope. Once they learn the truth, that it was a fabrication of commercialism, where even the parents participated, their childlike hopes, trust and dreams are crushed. I wonder if a blow like this can condition their developing brains to guard against such future hurt and instill even a slight degree of skepticism for future hopes and dreams and faith building fertile ground?

Childlike faith is a powerful thing. It should be nurtured in the truth and not tarnished with fabrications that can cause even an ounce of unbelief.

I think Chason's response really emphasizes this, although I've never heard of anyone praying to him. Although it wouldn't shock me if a lof kids do that.

I am seeing the teaching of santa more and more as psychological (and spiritually) dangerous. If your 16 year old daughter was down or insecure, would you make up a secret admirer and send her wonderful notes, candy, flowers to make her feel special? Woud you revel in her newfound zeal for life, caused by this fake secret admirer? Would your heart be warmed to see her singing a love song or bragging to friends about her new love? Of course not. Especially knowing eventually you would have to admit you are the secret admirer.

So why is it okay to do this exact same kind of things to small children?

[BFP]

My son was absolutely devastated. His sister convinced him...and I never knew he really believed in Santa, it wan't something I taught him, but it wasn't something I denied the existance of either. He was 8, and when he figured it he went to his room and cried. I went in and explained to him that his siter was right, there was no Santa...To this he replied, in tears, "Oh, and I bet you're going to tell me that the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy don't exist either!"

Many tears were shed that night....

[Fez]

So why is it okay to do this exact same kind of things to small children?

Because Christmas should be a time of joy and fun for children? And because millions of us were never hurt by the myth, but gained joy? And because in a Christian home, children who have been guided properly will be able to handle the truth? Especially if they base their true belief in Jesus, as do a lot of friends kids that I know.

Blessings

[~Shalhevet~]

Because Christmas should be a time of joy and fun for children? And because millions of us were never hurt by the myth, but gained joy? And because in a Christian home, children who have been guided properly will be able to handle the truth? Especially if they base their true belief in Jesus, as do a lot of friends kids that I know.

Blessings

But little children...I'm talking 3, 4, 5....they don't know the difference between real and unreal. My son thinks Dora the Explorer is real. He tells me that Jesus is pretend. I can teach him as much as I possibly can about Jesus but I can't make him "real" until he is old enough to understand. Children this young do not understand and cannot "base their true belief in Jesus." JMO

[~Shalhevet~]

Is this the famous "Christmas debate" that everyone's been warning me about?

[artsylady]

And because millions of us were never hurt by the myth, but gained joy?

But the joy is not real. It's like seeing 'joy' on the face of a teenage daughter who has been tricked into thinking she has a secret admirer.

And how do you know which kids are not going to be affected by it and which ones will be devastated by it?

I am actually more concerned about nonChristian kids than Christian kids, to be honest. I wanted to put the thread here in hopes that more of the atheists would respond, but none have (to my knowledge). Most here have said "yes, I was hurt,BUT BECAUSE I ALREADY HAD GOD, I was okay". *paraphrased

What about kids who learn that their fantasy of Santa is just that, but also do not have God?

[sheya joie]

I can remember lying awake in bed one night, trying to reconcile Santa Claus with Jesus. I don't recall being devastated when I learned the truth - but I did decide that truth was more important to me than a 'fun game' - so with my kids I don't do Santa Claus. What amazes me is how very anti-Santa my youngest is! (She is 9.)

[~Shalhevet~]

I actually remember being afraid of Santa sometimes. That song...he sees you when you're sleeping...he knows when you're awake...

I seriously thought Santa was watching me get dressed and even worse...go to the bathroom! lol

[Fez]

Hey he's a fat guy in a suit! Lets all relax

Well maybe we can start up on this one? Christmas tree, yes or no? Ornaments, tinsel, mistletoe, Christmas crackers at lunch?

Or maybe sackcloth and ashes and a bowl of gruel?