santa claus the evil and dangerous deceiver

[sweetycakes]

Is not anything that takes our eyes off Christ spritually or our children's wrong and contrary to the Word of the Lord.

YES...but the idea of Santa doesn't neccessarily take the eyes of a child off Christ. Actually, if done correctly, the concept can help a child understand the concept of giving freely preparing the way to understand the free gift of God's Grace.

Is it okay to read "The Spooky Old Tree" to a child or "Alice in Wonderland" to a child? Of coarse not. We read children's books as well as tell them Bible stories. One doesn't have to conflict with the other.

Can not a child understand about our Saviour without stories of Santa? I think children understand more than many give them credit for. As for examples of giving freely should we not be setting the example before the children by our lives and actions? And as for unconditional love and grace we as Christians parents in our daily lives reflect unto them that wonderous gift of God's Grace and Love which the Lord has bestowed upon us. We teach by example of our very lives which children are ever watchful.

And yes the idea of Santa does not always take a child,s eyes off Christ, but as I asked before how many children know of Santa, how many of those same of Christ? Why take the risk of placing a stumbling block called Santa when we simply need to by our example show our children Christ in us and teach them the truth of His word?

Pro 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Give Christmas back to CHRIST!

Don't let all the images and depections of Santa that we are bombarded with every Christmas obscure the fact that this is supposed to be primarily a celebration of the CHRISTMAS story.

I also suggest people should read the whole of the original article before making up their minds.

[billie]

That article blew me away, Stephen. I read it back when you first posted it. Thanks for sharing it.

[WayneB]

Is not anything that takes our eyes off Christ spritually or our children's wrong and contrary to the Word of the Lord.

YES...but the idea of Santa doesn't neccessarily take the eyes of a child off Christ. Actually, if done correctly, the concept can help a child understand the concept of giving freely preparing the way to understand the free gift of God's Grace.

Is it okay to read "The Spooky Old Tree" to a child or "Alice in Wonderland" to a child? Of coarse it is. We read children's books as well as tell them Bible stories. One doesn't have to conflict with the other.

Can not a child understand about our Saviour without stories of Santa?

Sure they can but that's not the point. The question for me is whether or not it is in wrong to allow a child to use their imagination and believe that some character named Santa brings gifts to children. The fantasy, which is Santa, and the reality, which is Jesus Christ, do not have to conflict anymore than a Fairy Tale conflicts with the truth found in the Word of God. Children can enjoy the musings of their imaginations and not be at risk of being led astray spiritually as the grow older. I've raised two sons to adulthood and they seem to be well-balanced.

Regardless, you feel convicted and I won't argue that. I have to be honest though and say that a ministry that posts..."Dial-the-Truth Ministries is a King James Bible believing ministry" and "We provide informational tracts on the King James Bible, exposes of corrupt Bible versions... Christian music, rock music..." sounds a little like a ministry burdened with legalism. That's just my impression though.

I will concede this point though. You are right when you say that too many people focus ONLY on the lights, the tree, the feeling of Christmas and Santa rather than focusing on Jesus Christ. They would do that Santa or no Santa.

One correction by the way...my previous post meant to say that it is okay to read Alice in Wonderland to children. Sometimes I post before I have the time to review closely and edit.

[WayneB]

Give Christmas back to CHRIST!

Amen!

[Gerioke]

Consider this, we celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ, along comes Santa Claus, we celebrate the Resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ, along comes the Easter Bunny, and the final one will be the appearing of the Anti-Christ, whom the world will believe is the real Messiah although nothing but a evil worthless counterfeit copy. Now does anyone see a pattern of Satanic deception here?

Santa is the antichrist. The Easter bunny is the beast. The great pumpkin is the false prophet.

[billie]

[sweetycakes]

Consider this, we celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ, along comes Santa Claus, we celebrate the Resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ, along comes the Easter Bunny, and the final one will be the appearing of the Anti-Christ, whom the world will believe is the real Messiah although nothing but a evil worthless counterfeit copy. Now does anyone see a pattern of Satanic deception here?

Santa is the antichrist. The Easter bunny is the beast. The great pumpkin is the false prophet.

And what of Santa's little helpers?

[RustyAngeL]

Much ado about nothing.

Full of sound and fury, signifying nothing...........

I agree too Leonard. Some people get shook up over the littlest things. There is no harm in letting kids have their childhood and believing in Santa as long as like with my parents they taught me that Christmas was about Jesus. Believing in Santa didn't destroy my faith or hurt me. Sometimes I think the paranoia is worse and causes more of a problem then poor ol Santa.

[billie]

I just couldn't bring myself to lie to my kids.

I don't condemn anyone else, I just can't do it.

[RustyAngeL]

I was taught that Christmas was about Christ and there was no Santa.

Believe me...I had a great childhood and I enjoyed Christmas as much as anyone.

My son has been raised the same way. If one has to believe that there is a Santa in order to have a childhood, then something is very wrong. Our focus should always be on Christ. Santa is a distraction.

I didn't say you had to believe in Santa to have a good childhood. I said I had a good childhood and was taught that Christmas was about Jesus and not Santa. I'm just saying that some people get upset over the wrong things. I'm more upset about the music that kids listen to and the role models that kids look up to. I would much rather have my kid believe in Santa the see Briteny Spears getting out of a limo with no underwear on. Parents have no problem with things like that but I do. At least Santa is dressed.