Always Learning: Believing In Santa?

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Believing In Santa?

When Alyssa was five years old, our pastor taught that celebrating Christmas was great. Just get rid of Santa. Christmas should revolve around Jesus and His birth, not Santa. We thought that was very good advice so we went home and broke the news to Alyssa. {We have it on video and it is quite funny.}

Needless to say, she was not happy about this. She cried and complained, but finally she understood that Christmas was about Jesus and we, her parents, bought her gifts to celebrate His birthday.

Ryan, at three, was listening in so Ken put him on his lap after telling Alyssa. He was upset for a few minutes then stuck his finger into Ken's face and said, "You is Santa Claus!" Very precious moments.

Christmas is about Christ and we want to keep it that way. I know there are some Christians who refuse to celebrate it because of its pagan roots, but we celebrate it as Christ's birth.

I am sure God in His grace and love doesn't mind if we celebrate something with such wonderful and warm memories. He is a loving Father and enjoys seeing His children enjoy the life that He has provided for us.

Since we have a personal relationship with Jesus..."And He walks with me and He talks with me and He tells me I am His own..." {That song is running through my head!}, every day is spent celebrating Him and what He has done for us. Christmas is a time to get together with loved ones, share special memories together, and remember what Jesus did for us.

I respect those who don't want to celebrate Christmas. I just don't like it when they get legalistic about it and tell others they are sinning if they do celebrate Christmas. Even then, it really doesn't bother me. Everyone is allowed to have their own opinions. I just disagree with them!

P.S. Don't get too discouraged about society throwing out Christmas and making it something else. They will NEVER be able to get rid of Jesus...He is here to stay! Hallelujah! {And we know who wins in the end.}

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:11

Comments (23)

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Holly · 692 weeks ago

My Husband and I decided to bring up our son not believing in Santa Claus. We will teach him the legend and story of Santa, but leave it at that. Christmas is a time to celebrate God's wonderful gift to us in Jesus, and to emulate Jesus and give. Yes, we still have a tree and carry on some other traditions as a family, but Christ will always be the reason for our season.

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AMY · 692 weeks ago

We do Santa at our house. We believe that children should have a bit of magic in their life during childhood. I do not see the conflict. I grew up believing in Santa, but that didn't impact my Christian belief. But I respect those parents who decide not to do Santa.

5 replies · active 691 weeks ago

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Maryellen · 692 weeks ago

I agree with you Amy. I have wonderful joyful memories of "Santa" fun. I was not damaged in anyway in finding it was just for fun. It has not impacted my walk with Christ. Everyone must decide for his or her self how to handle it and the key is to Love One Another in those decisions.

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adoyo80 23p · 692 weeks ago

True Maryellen read my post
http://nancyogengayouree.wordpress.com/2011/12/22...

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adoyo80 23p · 692 weeks ago

I agree with you Amy.. we don't do Santa but we do other things which we could easily be legalistic about-- light, gifts, too much food etc

read my post and let me know what you think
http://nancyogengayouree.wordpress.com/2011/12/22...

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Heather · 692 weeks ago

Very Good post Nancy and I completely agree!!

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Judy Goldthorp · 691 weeks ago

When my children were (much) younger, they were in children's choir at church, and sang at the early Mass on Christmas Eve. They started singing carols for about 20 or 30 minutes before Mass started. One year, they gathered at the front of the church, and one of the children brought a sheet cake down the center aisle, while all the rest sang "Happy Birthday, Jesus." It brought me to tears and still makes me tear up . . . it's probably been 25 years ago.

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Danielle · 692 weeks ago

Nope, no Santa here either. Why deal w/all the questions as they get older as in how does it do it all in one night etc etc etc. By perpetrating it then it's a lie.

We have mentioned Santa... and we told our children that some kids believe in this Santa deal. And to not tell them he's not real.

People say is you rearrange the letters in Santa you get satan. And you do! The father of lies! Coincidence? Nah, I don't think so. People lie to their kids about Santa

2 replies · active 692 weeks ago

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Heather · 692 weeks ago

That is one of the silliest things I've ever read!!!!

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Danielle · 692 weeks ago

No more silly than lying to kids! It's one thing to disagree but to be rude about is another. Selah!

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KAN · 692 weeks ago

We are a no-Santa zone here. Besides the lies involved, we abhor the "if you are a good little girl/boy, Santa gives you what you want" mantra because the Bible is so clear that not a single person is "good" outside of Christ and we certainly don't deserve or earn our salvation. It is an unmerited gift given by a loving father, We buy our 3 children presents because we love them, with no strings attached.

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KAN · 692 weeks ago

This is a thought provoking article regarding the Santa issue.
http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2009/12/...

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Erin · 692 weeks ago

We've always told our children the truth about Santa. We want them to know that they can always trust their parents are telling them the truth. Jesus is real and Lord of all, Santa is a story, but is most certainly not real.

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adoyo80 23p · 692 weeks ago

I was just blogging on all the things that surrounding Christmas and how judgmental and prideful our hearts can become.

read my post and let me know what you think
http://nancyogengayouree.wordpress.com/2011/12/22...

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Lisa · 692 weeks ago

Sinning if you celebrate Christmas?? Gosh, I've never heard that one before!
Surely it is possible to teach your kids about the 'Christ' in Christmas, without denying them the fun and fantasy of Santa. To me it is about appropriate emphasis and balance.

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Erica · 692 weeks ago

For us as the church to bicker back & forth about the Santa ordeal is so unnecessary. Legalistic views are what keeps the world from really seeing Jesus. Each family is different. Lets not criticize those who choose to keep Santa a part of the celebration. Lets not choose to criticize those who keep Santa out of their celebration.
Lets love one another as Christ has instructed us to. And make Jesus the reason for the season.

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Joluise · 692 weeks ago

We had Santa for our children, but they knew he wasn't real - it was a little bit of fun that they enjoyed but never got upset over. And as we lived in the tropics, Santa wasn't going to drop down our chimney as we didn't have one and it was far too hot for his red suit.

When I was a child we shared a lovely meal with family and gave presents on the 25th of December but we didn't "celebrate" the day as Christs birthday as the Bible does not tell us to do this - Christ should be celebrated everyday. I fall somewhere in the middle these days.

At what point should Christian not follow the modern traditions of Christmas as that is what they are, they are not from the Bible - the tree is from the Victorian age, the decorations come from the mid winter pagan celebrations, gift giving - really we ought to be giving them to the poor only as Christ would have done, the feasting is also from the mid winter celebrations?? Even Christmas cards came about during the Victorian age as someone saw a way of making some money!

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Amber · 692 weeks ago

Hi Lori! Again a great post! We don't play the Santa Claus game either. Our kids don't mind. And I'm not judgmental towards Christians who do play Santa Claus. We used to. It was just very convicting for both my husband and I. So we prayed about it, and really felt that God didn't want us to include that secular portion of the holiday into our traditions. And, honestly, it was such a relief to us when we broke the news to our kids. Have a blessed Christmas!

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Sarah · 692 weeks ago

Hi Lori...I love how you said this...and I totally agree. At our home we celebrate Chanukah and then Christmas..focusing both on His Light that pushes out darkness. Merry Christmas.....

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Charlotte · 692 weeks ago

My cousin told me about Santa when I was in the 2nd grade. It made me sooo mad. I asked my mother about it, and she told me the truth. It was a sad day for me. We didn't go to church at the time although my mother was a believer. The church we went to when I was a little older didn't celebrate Christmas because the Bible doesn't tell us to celebrate His birth and all the other "reasons" I've heard. I never really agreed with that. I can't believe that Jesus would condemn us celebrating His birth. I agree with you. Everyone has to decide for themselves what they believe about it and not judge others.
Merry Christmas Blessings,
Charlotte

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pamela · 692 weeks ago

I love that -- "they will never be able to get rid of Jesus." And at Christmas everyone thinks of Him -- even if it's brought about by someone fussing about a manger scene in a public place.

I hope your Christmas is blessed and filled with the presence of the Christ Child.

Pamela

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Sherry Southard · 692 weeks ago

My kids grew up knowing that Santa wasn't real and that Jesus is the reason for the season and all seasons. I love that song in your post. I have it on CD and listen to it at night when I am having trouble getting to sleep.

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Jennifer@GDWJ · 691 weeks ago

We do have Santa in our home. Part of me feels strange about it, because I worry that my youngest daughter (the one who still believes) will feel duped when she finds out the truth. The older daughter didn't have a problem for some reason. Perhaps because she knew early on that Santa wasn't real. ...

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