santa claus the evil and dangerous deceiver

[53Christian]

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?

Edited December 7, 2006 by 53Christian

[RGR]

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?

Quite frankly, I don't!

[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?

Quite frankly, I don't!

I do.

I thought about this quite a long time ago

[ladypeartree]

we celebrate Christs birth but when the children were little ( and now with my grandchildren ) I just tell then that on their birthday we give them presents to tell them how much we love them and are glad they are part of our family.....on Christmas Jesus gives US presents to remind us just how much HE loves us and how happy He is that we are part of His family. Santa is just "saint Nicholas" who helps Jesus by bringing some of the presents that people want to share. None of my children have been traumatised or upset when they found that other children didnt believe in Santa just as they were not traumatised ( but were sometimes upset ) when they found out that some children do not believ in Jesus.....They have never accused me of lying to them, they have never rejected Christ because of the "santa story" and they dont need to find excuses for their belief or on occassion lack thereof. All too often we take away the innocence of children by trying to find excuses and reasons for actions they take as adults instead of just letting them be the age they are and not trying to make them old before their time

[RGR]

we celebrate Christs birth but when the children were little ( and now with my grandchildren ) I just tell then that on their birthday we give them presents to tell them how much we love them and are glad they are part of our family.....on Christmas Jesus gives US presents to remind us just how much HE loves us and how happy He is that we are part of His family. Santa is just "saint Nicholas" who helps Jesus by bringing some of the presents that people want to share. None of my children have been traumatised or upset when they found that other children didnt believe in Santa just as they were not traumatised ( but were sometimes upset ) when they found out that some children do not believ in Jesus.....They have never accused me of lying to them, they have never rejected Christ because of the "santa story" and they dont need to find excuses for their belief or on occassion lack thereof. All too often we take away the innocence of children by trying to find excuses and reasons for actions they take as adults instead of just letting them be the age they are and not trying to make them old before their time

[sweetycakes]

we celebrate Christs birth but when the children were little ( and now with my grandchildren ) I just tell then that on their birthday we give them presents to tell them how much we love them and are glad they are part of our family.....on Christmas Jesus gives US presents to remind us just how much HE loves us and how happy He is that we are part of His family. Santa is just "saint Nicholas" who helps Jesus by bringing some of the presents that people want to share. None of my children have been traumatised or upset when they found that other children didnt believe in Santa just as they were not traumatised ( but were sometimes upset ) when they found out that some children do not believ in Jesus.....They have never accused me of lying to them, they have never rejected Christ because of the "santa story" and they dont need to find excuses for their belief or on occassion lack thereof. All too often we take away the innocence of children by trying to find excuses and reasons for actions they take as adults instead of just letting them be the age they are and not trying to make them old before their time

[WayneB]

we celebrate Christs birth but when the children were little ( and now with my grandchildren ) I just tell then that on their birthday we give them presents to tell them how much we love them and are glad they are part of our family.....on Christmas Jesus gives US presents to remind us just how much HE loves us and how happy He is that we are part of His family. Santa is just "saint Nicholas" who helps Jesus by bringing some of the presents that people want to share. None of my children have been traumatised or upset when they found that other children didnt believe in Santa just as they were not traumatised ( but were sometimes upset ) when they found out that some children do not believ in Jesus.....They have never accused me of lying to them, they have never rejected Christ because of the "santa story" and they dont need to find excuses for their belief or on occassion lack thereof. All too often we take away the innocence of children by trying to find excuses and reasons for actions they take as adults instead of just letting them be the age they are and not trying to make them old before their time

Wise words. Santa Claus is nothing more than a metaphor promoting the spirit of love, giving and innocence. When my children grew up, I revealed the true identity of Santa...ME. They never felt deceived nor did it throw a stumbling block in their spiritual walk. There is enough other things in this fallen world that does that. What does matter is how the concept of Santa is presented to a child. IF Christmas is all wrapped up in Santa, then you are wrong BUT if Santa is just a part of the overall celebration, I don't see anything wrong with that. The reason for the season is Jesus and the idea of Santa can be a good tool to express the concept of unconditional love and giving to an innocent child. That's all.

[53Christian]

we celebrate Christs birth but when the children were little ( and now with my grandchildren ) I just tell then that on their birthday we give them presents to tell them how much we love them and are glad they are part of our family.....on Christmas Jesus gives US presents to remind us just how much HE loves us and how happy He is that we are part of His family. Santa is just "saint Nicholas" who helps Jesus by bringing some of the presents that people want to share. None of my children have been traumatised or upset when they found that other children didnt believe in Santa just as they were not traumatised ( but were sometimes upset ) when they found out that some children do not believ in Jesus.....They have never accused me of lying to them, they have never rejected Christ because of the "santa story" and they dont need to find excuses for their belief or on occassion lack thereof. All too often we take away the innocence of children by trying to find excuses and reasons for actions they take as adults instead of just letting them be the age they are and not trying to make them old before their time

Is not anything that takes our eyes off Christ spritually or our children's wrong and contrary to the Word of the Lord. Jesus was the gift of God to all the world, Since when does Jesus need St. Nicholas's help? Why does the birth of Christ or His resurrection need to be associated with earthy designed fables. Are not both enough in themselves to teach our children. In other words is not the birth of Christ our Saviour and His resurrection the glorious power of our God, are they then to be overshadowed by the fables of men. What the Lord did for us in those two events are they not good enough that we must add such nonsense to them? How many children if asked would be able to tell you of Santa, how many of those same children about Christ Jesus?

And please let us remember also the magic associated with these fables which we as Christians are to have nothing to do with.

1Ti 1:4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

Edited December 7, 2006 by 53Christian

[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.

Edited December 7, 2006 by Wayne B.

[53Christian]

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.