What do we do about Santa Claus? Do we emphasize him at Christmas? Do we let our kids tell him what they want for Christmas when we are at the mall? Are Santa and Jesus friends? This can be a sticky issue. Here is a list of pros and cons when it comes to Santa.
Cons:
Its lying to your kids.
He undermines Jesus.
It focuses on things instead of God.
He is legalistic (He knows if you’ve been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake!).
Pros:
Santa is a giver.
Imagination is often lacking in Christians, God made the imagination.
He is in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (this one carries weight to me).
My parents told me he existed, I turned out okay (I think!).
He is Jesus’ helper.
Id love to hear some of your feedback on this! If you are reading this via email or Facebook, please click over to the blog and enter into the discussion by clicking the COMMENTS link.
GB
I actually know of a children's book that tells a story on how Jesus and Santa grew up together as kids and were best friends. Jesus was the one who gave Santa the idea about giving gifts and spreading Christmas cheer.
The first thing both of my kids said when they found out (at different times) was, "What? You lied to me?!?" That was tough to take. My son was devasted; not because there was no Santa, but because we lied to him. He asked me about a week before Christmas, and I just couldn't tell him then. I waited until March to tell him. Someone had been "horrible" at school and told him leprechauns weren't real (how dare they!). So, I quickly confirmed: no leprechauns….and while we were talking about that, I ventured into the falacy of the North Pole. He was extremely mad at me. So, the very first time my daughter asked, I told her the truth. Didn't matter, she was still mad I had lied to her. However, all that being said, I would still want them to have those Santa memories. But, since it seems we have scarred Tyler for life, you can remember all of this when we have to come get counseling for him someday. HA!
Ah – you've got to be dealing with that question now, huh! Welcome to the club. Like all the questions of our Christian liberty, there's no easy answer – we'd like that wouldn't we
We never had to worry about the sitting in Santa's lap thing – both our kids were petrified of him.
Childhood is a time of pretending. We always told our children that Santa was a game, and they loved every minute of it. The whole Santa thing lasts about 4-5 years and then real life hits. Let's pretend, imagine and have fun with our children; everyone loves a game with a happy ending!
You lied to me about Santa, you lied to me about the Easter bunny, you lied to me about the tooth fairy, have you lied to me about Jesus? What does the Bible say about lying???? Or in trying to fit in with the world do we call these white lies, fibs or what or as one comment, we should intertain our imagination.
Growing up, we did "Santa Claus" but my parents were always careful and the focus remained on Jesus and the GIFT that He gave. My folks would just say (about Santa) "You have to use your imagination" or "It is a fun game," but never told me he was real, so I never felt like they lied to me. On the other hand, they strongly emphasized Jesus as REAL and that He really did come as a baby and grown up to die for my sins. Now that we have 4 children (oldest is 7, youngest is 2) we have worked hard to keep Jesus as the focus of Christmas. I have a basket with a blanket that looks like "hay" and each year we take one of the girls dolls and wrap it in "swaddling clothes" and then we keep this under the tree (in the front) to emphasize that Jesus is the REAL GIFT. The kids enjoy "playing" the Nativity story during December and we also read the story from Luke at my parent's house on Christmas. All the little cousins (and the big ones too) act out some part as the Scripture is read. It is a wonderful and fun tradition!Since Santa Claus is "everywhere," (and the grandparents and cousins do Santa) we decided we would play along. When our kids ask if he is real, we just say, "you have to use your imagination" and "it is a fun game that we play!" But we never say he is real. But then we always come back with, "Jesus is real and He really did come!!!!" Our oldest has pretty much figured it out on her own, but we have told her to allow the other kids (and the cousins) to enjoy playing the game a little longer.We also have some children's books on the Story of St. Nicholas. Those have been good for reading and helping the children see where the idea of Santa came from and then directing it always back to Jesus.Sorry this is so long….but one more thing. We do stockings (and what is in them is supposedly from Santa) But we have one stocking in the center has the name "Jesus" on it. Every year we talk about what we can give Jesus this year. We put our family picture in it and talk about giving Him our lives and our hearts. Last year our oldest drew a picture of things she wanted to give Jesus and put it in the stocking. It said, "Thank you for giving us your life Jesus," and "I want to make You Happy."So just a "few" thoughts….Thanks,Wendy (and Rich) Johnson