Christians, tell your children there is no Santa Claus

[Vickilynn]

If someone wants to tell their kids that Santa is not real, then fine. If someone else has kids that believe in Santa, then fine. A big deal is being made out of nothing here. I mean, raise your kids how you see fit and my wife and I will raise ours how we see fit.

Shalom Forrest,

Nope. What the BIBLE says trumps what man "sees fit."

G-d's ways are what we as Christians should do, not man's.

Telling children that santa is real is a lie, which is against G-d's Word.It also robs G-d of the glory due Him.

It also removes the REAL reason for Christmas and substitutes a lie.

None of these are right for Christians to engage in.

[Guest Biblicist]

If someone wants to tell their kids that Santa is not real, then fine. If someone else has kids that believe in Santa, then fine. A big deal is being made out of nothing here. I mean, raise your kids how you see fit and my wife and I will raise ours how we see fit.

forrest, what you say is true. Romans tells us that we each answer to God for our own actions. But if it's such a non-issue why do you bother debating it at all?

It's been shown, Biblically, why lying to your children, for any reason, is a sin. Do you not agree with that? If you are feeling defensive about it then maybe it is conviction from God, who is trying to reach you through His word about this very issue.

If it really doesn't bother you to tell your children about Santa then you should not be bothered by the Word of God being preached to the contrary. It is wrong for someone to do something that they are not 100% convinced in their mind is good. (Romans 14) If you are 100% convinced that it's Ok to teach your children about Santa, then what does it matter what anyone says?

Really, this issue should be between each Believer and God. However, God uses other Believers to help us stay on the right path. When one is admonished from the Word of God about something, I believe it's best to listen to that admonisment. Even if it does not change their mind at the time. One can always learn something from the Word.

As Vickilynn said, "It is all about GOD!" It should always be all about God.

HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING, GLORY TO THE NEWBORN KING!

[Smalcald]

I realize the concern.

But having a rich childhood with toothfairies and santa's and goblins and fairytales is a wonderful thing. Christmas is a wonderful time to spread the Gospel and also the mystery and buety of Christ, but I just don't see the harm in having Santa. The bigger harm to me is the focus on gifts and more gifts, the overload.

[sierra21]

Okay I suppose I will add my 2 cents.

As children my brother and I believed in Santa, but it wasn't this overwhelming thing that my parents encouraged or anything like that. It was just a fun thing that we talked about, and sure enough, every year until I think we were 18, a present from santa would be under the tree.

I think for the most part, we knew Santa wasn't real. But it was FUN.

We also did all the other Christian activities that went along with Christmas...but having the element of the illusive santa, made the season just a little bit more magical. I know that y'all will probably attack that statement, but being a child is all about fun, fantasy, and imagination. As long as it doesn't get out of hand, I don't think theres anything wrong with it.

[sierra21]

I realize the concern.

But having a rich childhood with toothfairies and santa's and goblins and fairytales is a wonderful thing. Christmas is a wonderful time to spread the Gospel and also the mystery and buety of Christ, but I just don't see the harm in having Santa. The bigger harm to me is the focus on gifts and more gifts, the overload.

[Guest LadyC]

just decided, i'm not going to just write a letter... (thanks sierra, you're the inspiration for my modified brainstorm)... besides the gift he gets from grandma and grandpa, i'll include a gift from santa, and attach the letter to the gift. since he'll be getting lots of gifts from santa, i'll tell my daughter what i'm doing, and ask that she make sure my santa-gift is the last one he opens.

or maybe, just maybe i'll create a little book that is both the gift AND the letter.

maybe not... he's only two, he'd probably rip the book to shreds.

[Emily~Anne]

I agree with your reasoning, freed from sin. When I was a kid Santa was a big thing, but somehow my mother was able to make it clear that Jesus was really the reason for Christmas (and Easter). I was never confused about this and we always worshiped Jesus.

When I had my daughter and was faced with the question of do I bring Santa in or not, I decided that every year "Santa" would write her a letter. He would tell her what she had done good in that past year and what she needed to improve on. The letter would end with a reminder that Jesus and His birth were the real reason to celebrate Christmas, that Santa was fun, but Jesus was real.

She is 18 now and is not confused a bit about who brings the presents (Dad and Mom) but more importantly she knows Who gave the greatest gift - not Santa, Dad, or Mom, but Jesus Christ.

<>< ><>

Nathele

I think people may have missed the part I bolded in the above quote. It sounds like Nathele does Santa strictly for fun, but yet makes sure her kids know Santa is not real? If I were to do such a letter, I would think it would be especially important for the children to know that Santa is not real and just for fun. So as not to tangle a very important truth with what is essentially a lie. (if the children are being told Santa is real that is)

[tah]

LadyC...good idea...I like that..

My little one year old grand baby is too small he would just eat it..

But Kiara is 3 and it will mean something to her..

[Guest LadyC]

ok, i have been needing a new project to occupy my time with.... i think i'll use picaboo to create a photo book from santa... he'll tell all about himself, and then somewhere in the middle, he'll say something like 'but i'm not really real' and go on to tell the story of Jesus' birth.

here's the good part... as my christmas gift to anyone who loves a child, if you sign up with picaboo, i'll share my photo book with you and you can order printed versions to give as gifts. (at least i think if i share them, others can order... i've never tried that before, but it's worth a shot!)

[Ovedya]

These threads happen every year. So every year I write the same thing.

I know that a lot of believers don't like it when I write this, but Christmas is a traditional holiday in which Christians make a huge fuss over the birth of Jesus. It's only "traditional" in the sense that, at no other time in the year is the birth of Jesus celebrated. And even though there is no Biblical foundation for the observance of the Messiah's incarnation, if the incarnation were truly such a miraculous and astounding event to be observed, then Christians should observe it throughout the year.

So that's why I find the whole "anti-Santa" thing a bit disingenuous. As Christians we tell our kids that Santa is a lie, yet we observe traditional yearly ritual which ultimately has no true Biblical origins. Then we continue throughout the year with barely a thought, or, let alone the mention, of the incarnation of Christ.

Here's where Worthy poster usually start to grumble, because I've found personally that when you touch a person's traditions you deeply offend them, as if you're tarring and feathering their grandparents. So I've learned to not make such a bother over the issue. Let us all enjoy the holidays, each to his own, according to his own conscience. Kumbaya.

Ultimately the issue with fantasy characters like Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, etc. is lying to your children. If you truly want to establish an open and honest relationship with your children you would not entertain the yearly observation of lying to them. In fact, you wouldn't lie to them about anything.

Even, "Christmas is Jesus' birthday."