Santa!

[Mac0486]

kids, if you believe in Santa, just walk away now!



We all know that Santa is a myth, but what do you think your parents were doing when they told you about Santa and had you believing that he was real? Were they lying? My argument is yes. I don't think parents should deceive their kids like that.
This is an old topic of discussion that came about in my youth group about 4 years ago. Please give your ideas. Support with scripture to the best of your ability. Will you tell your kids about Santa (for those without kids or those who have babies)? Any regrets about telling your kids about Santa (for those who have already had kids)?

 

[ThinkerMan]

Yes, for two reasons.

1. The excitement of a child to know that Santa is coming, the lessons of being good. It was fun to believe in him, and its still fun to see kids talk about him.

2. The excitement of figuring out the ruse was up. It kind of felt like leaving childhood, and going into adulthood. I felt proud when I figured it out, not sad. Especially because I had a little brother, so I was "in on it" while he still believed and I got to play Santa a few years.

I think as long as a parent raises a child with self-confidence and in a healthy manner, there is no reason why the experience can't be a good one.

 

[bibleberean]

kids, if you believe in Santa, just walk away now!



We all know that Santa is a myth, but what do you think your parents were doing when they told you about Santa and had you believing that he was real? Were they lying? My argument is yes. I don't think parents should deceive their kids like that.
This is an old topic of discussion that came about in my youth group about 4 years ago. Please give your ideas. Support with scripture to the best of your ability. Will you tell your kids about Santa (for those without kids or those who have babies)? Any regrets about telling your kids about Santa (for those who have already had kids)?

I never told my 5 children there was a Santa Clause.

I was told that as a child.

We should not tell our children there is a supernatural being that really does not exist and at the same time tell them about Jesus Christ.

Lies are of the devil and Santa Clause is a lie.

John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

No Chrisitian should tell there children a lie.

Reading a fictional story is not the same thing because it should be understood that it is only a story not truth.

Telling children Santa Clause exists when he doesn't is a lie.

 

[Eve777]

IF I had small children I would give them gifts on Christmas Day so they would not feel so left out when their little freind talk about their presents...However, I would tell them that Jesus is giving them gifts because he loves them. Not Santa. I would explain that Christians beleive in Jesus while those who are not Christian may believe in someone they call Santa. I would also explain that some religions do not celebrate Christmas such as the Jewish religion but have thier own Holidays they celebrate.

 

[stovebolts]

When I told my 5 year old last year that sponge bob wasn't real, it about broke his heart, but he got over it and he has no illusions as to what is real in that regard. This carries over to Santa, although deep down he still wants to believe in Santa, and that's ok for his age. He'll let go if it when he's ready.

 

[Blue-Lightning]

I'd tell my kids the truth... Santa Claus is real. Once they were old enough to understand, I'd explain that a long time ago a kind man named St. Nicholas gave presents to children and that now, as we celebrate the birth of Christ, we give children presents from St. Nicholas. And although Santa may not be real in the way that we imagine him, he is a symbol of how we all ought to be - giving freely to everyone. It's a reflection of the wise men who gave the young Jesus gifts, and symbolic of the great Gift that God sent us.

For those of you who tell your kids there is no Santa Claus, I suggest watching the original Miracle on 24th Street.

Later,

BL

 

[ClaireL]

I'm not sure yet what I will do, but I friend of mine told me what she has done. She told her son (3 years old) that it's a game parents play with their kids, pretending Santa is real, and they'll play as long as he wants to. That sounds like a good idea to me. They still can have the fun of it, but the little one knows all along that it's not really real.

 

[greyfeather]

santa

I told my kids there was a Santa, but on Christmas eve I told them the story of the baby Jesus's birth.


God bless.

 

[Nikki]

However, I would tell them that Jesus is giving them gifts because he loves them. Not Santa.

You might as well tell them Santa gave them to them because you're still telling them a lie. Jesus didn't give them the gifts. He can give the greatest gift of all, but a toy isn't what that is.

My kids believe in Santa. They also believe that one day they'll be a superstar. They have imaginary friends. When we go shopping, we have to look at outfits for their imaginary friends! Do I tell them there is no such thing as an imaginary friend? NO WAY! I ask them what outfit they think such and such would like (Their imaginary friends names change often).

When you ask them what Christmas is, they will say "It's the day we celebrate Jesus' birthday". They know the true meaning.

And there IS a Santa. It's just that his name is really Steve and Nicole. :

 

[Khristeeanos]

What if you raise your kids to believe that Santa is real and then they find out that he is fake.


He can't see Santa.



What about Jesus? You tell your kids that Jesus is real also, but they can't see Jesus.


What if your lying to your child destroys their faith in Christ?

 

[Quath]

What if you raise your kids to believe that Santa is real and then they find out that he is fake.

He can't see Santa.

What about Jesus? You tell your kids that Jesus is real also, but they can't see Jesus.

What if your lying to your child destroys their faith in Christ?

This is a good point. This line of reasoning was the first time I questioned God's existance. But on the other hand, if you can't tell the difference in Jesus and Santa Claus, maybe the faith is not suppose to be there in the first place.

Quath

 

[Nocturnal_Principal_X]

Mac0486,

I would tell your kids about the real Santa, not the myth that has developed over the years. Saint Nicholas was real and he really did bring gifts to kids...just not in one night and not with reindeer but with a donkey.

Actually check out what I posted in the College Age Forum:
Click and scroll down to see my post

 

[Soma-Sight]

Is Jesus the Grown up version of Santa?

 

[evanman]

Tell them who Saint Nicholas really was, he did exist!

Saint Nicholas (270-310) was at one time bishop of Myra, a town in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). He is supposed to have died on December 6 which is why his feast is celebrated on that date. Recognized for his great generosity, he is the patron saint of little children and school children.
The feast of Saint Nicholas was abolished in some European countries after the Protestant reformation of the XVIth century. The Dutch, however, have preserved this ancient Catholic custom, and small Dutch children still await the visit of Sinter Klaas (Saint Nicholas) on the night of December 6.

http://www.culture.gouv.fr/culture/noel/angl/stnico.htm

 

[Mac0486]

However, I would tell them that Jesus is giving them gifts because he loves them. Not Santa.

You might as well tell them Santa gave them to them because you're still telling them a lie. Jesus didn't give them the gifts. He can give the greatest gift of all, but a toy isn't what that is.

My kids believe in Santa. They also believe that one day they'll be a superstar. They have imaginary friends. When we go shopping, we have to look at outfits for their imaginary friends! Do I tell them there is no such thing as an imaginary friend? NO WAY! I ask them what outfit they think such and such would like (Their imaginary friends names change often).

When you ask them what Christmas is, they will say "It's the day we celebrate Jesus' birthday". They know the true meaning.

And there IS a Santa. It's just that his name is really Steve and Nicole. :

I suppose as long as they "believed" in it as an imaginary friend (where they really know the truth but its too fun to except it) it might not be a bad idea. However, children can't go on rejecting the truth forever so maybe at least once they reach a certain maturity they shouldn't be allowed to accept such nonsense.
BB, i appreciate u using scripture. For once, i agree with you. lol.
All of your answers (except maybe soma-sights) seemed pretty logical. I appreciate all of your support

 

[bibleberean]

Bottom line:

Telling your children that Santa exists when in fact he does not is a lie.

All the rationalizations, excuses, and half truths in the world cannot justify this lie.

Beware of those who justify lies.

2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

2 Timothy 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Mac asked for scripture to back up our position.

See if you can back up lying to children about non existent supernatural beings from scripture.

 

[Blue-Lightning]

BB, you're really starting to tick me off. I suppose if I take my children to Disney World and don't tell them there's really a freckle faced kid behind that mouse costume and that Cinderella is actually a girl making money for college then I'm lying to them. Why don't we just destroy all children's fantasies. When my child says they're going to be an astronaut, I'm going to say, "Well, probably not because very few people who even have the qualifications for being an astronaut ever become one and the odds are very unlikely. But if you try there's a slim chance you can be one."

I mean, I'd hate to be lying to my kids...

BL

 

[slanglep]

Telling your children that Santa exists when in fact he does not is a lie.

I agree.

Reindeer don't fly and Santa is just some made up fairy tale to get the focus off of Christ. Just like the Easter Bunny at Easter.

Disney characters or made up characters are fine but not when they interfere or take the focus of of the birth of our Lord and Saviour.

It just amazes me how many "Christians" would rather feed their kids this fairy tale.


1Jo 5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols.

Definition of an Idol

1.One that is adored, often blindly or excessively.
2.Something visible but without substance.

 

[Soma-Sight]

Christianity and fantasy/creativity/surrealism do NOT mix.

A true Christian would burn all their cds, plastic reindeer, art, christmas dinner invitations, etc.

Almost every notion of creativity in music and art are not acceptable Biblically.

 

[stovebolts]

Christianity and fantasy/creativity/surrealism do NOT mix.

A true Christian would burn all their cds, plastic reindeer, art, christmas dinner invitations, etc.

Almost every notion of creativity in music and art are not acceptable Biblically.

But if I burned my tree, wouldn't my house burn down? Would it be ethical to file a claim on my insurance?