Christians, tell your children there is no Santa Claus

[Vickilynn]

It's the yearly ritual which has no true Biblical origins. In other words, Paul didn't celebrate Christmas, nor did any of the other apostles. The tradition of celebrating Jesus' birth is purely of human origin.

Shalom Ovedya,

I won't argue with you since this not the topic of this tread, but I strongly disagree. I believe the celebration rejoicing and honoring of Messiah's birth to be found in the Scriptures. It is a very Biblical expression and emulation of the rejoicing at the time. I believe the celebration of Messiah to be VERY Scriptural as in the FIRST part of your statement below:

I would contend that, although the incarnation of Christ is truly a miracle, was lauded by the angels, and was observed by kings to be one of the most significant events in human history, it does not rise to the occasion of ritual observance.

The second part of your statement is purely your opinion, and you are entitled to it even though you using generalizations and blanket statements that do not reflect individuals and thus cannot be correct.

I do believe also that your accusation of people being "disingenuous" if they do not support lying to children about santa, but they do celebrate Christmas to have crossed the line here. You do not have that right Ovedya to judge people's heart and accuse them of being disingenuous if you do not agree with their views. This Brother, is wrong.

We can share differing views, but to judge someone's heart? That's G-d's job.

[ColleenLovesMischief]

And yet Christmas was a pagan holiday to begin with.....hummm.

[ColleenLovesMischief]

The Origins of Christmas

So do those avoiding santa also avoid the tree and the lights?

[MrsSealedEternal]

The Origins of Christmas

So do those avoiding santa also avoid the tree and the lights?

Jer 10:1 Hear the word which the LORD speaks to you, O house of Israel.

Jer 10:2 Thus says the LORD, "Do not learn the way of the nations, And do not be terrified by the signs of the heavens Although the nations are terrified by them;

Jer 10:3 For the customs of the peoples are delusion; Because it is wood cut from the forest, The work of the hands of a craftsman with a cutting tool.

Jer 10:4 "They decorate it with silver and with gold; They fasten it with nails and with hammers So that it will not totter.

Jer 10:5 "Like a scarecrow in a cucumber field are they, And they cannot speak; They must be carried, Because they cannot walk! Do not fear them, For they can do no harm, Nor can they do any good."

Do you mean this one?

[ColleenLovesMischief]

The Origins of Christmas

So do those avoiding santa also avoid the tree and the lights?

Jer 10:1 Hear the word which the LORD speaks to you, O house of Israel.

Jer 10:2 Thus says the LORD, "Do not learn the way of the nations, And do not be terrified by the signs of the heavens Although the nations are terrified by them;

Jer 10:3 For the customs of the peoples are delusion; Because it is wood cut from the forest, The work of the hands of a craftsman with a cutting tool.

Jer 10:4 "They decorate it with silver and with gold; They fasten it with nails and with hammers So that it will not totter.

Jer 10:5 "Like a scarecrow in a cucumber field are they, And they cannot speak; They must be carried, Because they cannot walk! Do not fear them, For they can do no harm, Nor can they do any good."

Do you mean this one?

I am sitting here with my jaw dropped....I have honestly never seen those verses like that before!!! WoW

[Emily~Anne]

While I dont teach my kids Santa is real, I also dont believe Santa is necessarily pagan. There is not enough to back that up. Santa is a commercialized version of Saint Nicholas.

[Ovedya]

It's the yearly ritual which has no true Biblical origins. In other words, Paul didn't celebrate Christmas, nor did any of the other apostles. The tradition of celebrating Jesus' birth is purely of human origin.

Shalom Ovedya,

I won't argue with you since this not the topic of this tread, but I strongly disagree. I believe the celebration rejoicing and honoring of Messiah's birth to be found in the Scriptures. It is a very Biblical expression and emulation of the rejoicing at the time. I believe the celebration of Messiah to be VERY Scriptural as in the FIRST part of your statement below:

I would contend that, although the incarnation of Christ is truly a miracle, was lauded by the angels, and was observed by kings to be one of the most significant events in human history, it does not rise to the occasion of ritual observance.

The second part of your statement is purely your opinion, and you are entitled to it even though you using generalizations and blanket statements that do not reflect individuals and thus cannot be correct.

I do believe also that your accusation of people being "disingenuous" if they do not support lying to children about santa, but they do celebrate Christmas to have crossed the line here. You do not have that right Ovedya to judge people's heart and accuse them of being disingenuous if you do not agree with their views. This Brother, is wrong.

We can share differing views, but to judge someone's heart? That's G-d's job.

Vicki, I wrote that, "...I find the whole "anti-Santa" thing a bit disingenuous." I do not think that's judging anyone's heart.

In fact, in my opinion, some Christians are very judgmental of other people's holiday traditions. That would include telling their kids about fictitious holiday icons. Who are we to preach against Santa Claus or Christmas trees anyway?

[Ovedya]

The Origins of Christmas

So do those avoiding santa also avoid the tree and the lights?

Jer 10:1 Hear the word which the LORD speaks to you, O house of Israel.

Jer 10:2 Thus says the LORD, "Do not learn the way of the nations, And do not be terrified by the signs of the heavens Although the nations are terrified by them;

Jer 10:3 For the customs of the peoples are delusion; Because it is wood cut from the forest, The work of the hands of a craftsman with a cutting tool.

Jer 10:4 "They decorate it with silver and with gold; They fasten it with nails and with hammers So that it will not totter.

Jer 10:5 "Like a scarecrow in a cucumber field are they, And they cannot speak; They must be carried, Because they cannot walk! Do not fear them, For they can do no harm, Nor can they do any good."

Do you mean this one?

"For the customs of the peoples are delusion..."

Yep.

[Emily~Anne]

To put the verses in context:

Jeremiah 10

God and Idols

1 Hear what the LORD says to you, O house of Israel. 2 This is what the LORD says:

"Do not learn the ways of the nations

or be terrified by signs in the sky,

though the nations are terrified by them.

3 For the customs of the peoples are worthless;

they cut a tree out of the forest,

and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel.

4 They adorn it with silver and gold;

they fasten it with hammer and nails

so it will not totter.

5 Like a scarecrow in a melon patch,

their idols cannot speak;

they must be carried

because they cannot walk.

Do not fear them;

they can do no harm

nor can they do any good."

6 No one is like you, O LORD;

you are great,

and your name is mighty in power.

7 Who should not revere you,

O King of the nations?

This is your due.

Among all the wise men of the nations

and in all their kingdoms,

there is no one like you.

8 They are all senseless and foolish;

they are taught by worthless wooden idols.

9 Hammered silver is brought from Tarshish

and gold from Uphaz.

What the craftsman and goldsmith have made

is then dressed in blue and purple

[Vickilynn]

And yet Christmas was a pagan holiday to begin with.....hummm.

Shalom,

Nope. The celebration of the birth of Messiah is very Scriptural.

Luke 2

The Birth of Jesus Christ

8And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger."

13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 "Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"