I really would like some Christian input on your views of Santa. I was raised in an average home. We believed in God and went to church some. Everyone in my family seems to be of different faiths so we never really belonged to one church but we were raised with the whole Santa thing. On the other hand my husband was raised differently since his mother did not want her children to believe in Santa. His family was in church everytime the doors were opened and have a very strong faith in the Lord. We are raising our daughter in a church we love but I am lost with the whole Santa thing.

I see my MIL's point since she told me the story but I don't want my daughter to feel like she missed out on something by not believing in Santa. She told me that when she found out there was not a Santa that she was very upset that her parents had lied to her for all that time. She raised her children to believe that Santa is the gift of giving to someone you love and he comes from your heart and not down the chimney. My husband says they always had gifts under the tree on Christmas morning but they know where they came from. Her views were that they whole Santa thing was not good raising for her children because . . .
1. You were lying about the whole thing when you were trying to teach them to be honest.

2. She didn't want her children to think that you asked for toys and they appeared. Someone worked hard for that money to buy those. Things in life aren't free.

3. Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus. It's not about you and getting toys.

I totally see her view and think she is a great person and a wonderful mother and grandmother. I can also see my daughter going to school and saying "my mommy said there is not Santa". I would love to hear your opinion on this issue.

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http://theclines-lorie.blogspot.com/

Firstly i have a large issue with christmas in general now as the whole message in the world is get. What can i get out of christmas this year. For kids if its not expensive and everyone else wants it it is not good enough for them.

Coming to Santa, i personally dont see the point of him. Its a worldly concept/lie that Santa brings them gifts for being good mainly as an incentive to get them to behave nearer the time, generally it fails.

The whole point of Christmas is to get the message across/remember that Jesus was born to die on the cross for our sins to reconcile us to God. Kids do understand that if that is explained to them. I dont believe that that children would be devastated if they were brought up knowing that santa wasnt real, if it is done properly. Christians have no reason to play the santa game as we have the truth and shouldnt have to come alongside the world in this. We are separated from the world, we are to live differently for God.
Santa in time can become an idol for children and they start to focus on him at this time (and throughout the year) and less on God, and as stated when they find out that he doesnt exist, they go down the path of if santa doent exist and all the other worldy stories like the tooth-fairy and easter bunny then neither does God.

I believe its a subtle lie from the enemy and it grows until they are very far away from God, which is, no suprise, what Satan wants to do. People say whats the harm, we are overreacting and are ruining the kids fun but we are told to be very careful and be aware of lies from the world that lead us away from God.

If you take santa out of the equation now then its a much safer easier way in the future when the kids find out the truth.
I hope i make snese by what i have written.

God bless,

Matthew

Hi Lorie3072,
I have very strong views on the Santa idea. I detest Santa. Always have.
I figure we would disipline our kids for lying, but do it ourselves, by saying Santa is real. I feel its teaching our kids to be deceitful. Its not just Santa its the Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy etc.
My children arnt old enough to get excited about Christmas yet, but I have spoken to other mums who dont have Santa and there kids enjoy it just as much.

Even if Christmas wasnt as exciting with out Santa, its more to the point is it sinning when you do have Santa, eg: lying.
Does Santa take away the truth of Christmas.

If I had my way in this house I wouldn't even have a tree, but dh and I agreed not to have Santa.

I agree with your Mil.

All the best with your desision.

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Faith in God’s goodness puts a song in your heart and praise on your lips.

May God Bless You!

Wife, to Matt
Mother Ellie, Wo and Zacy

Thank you both for you post. I am really thinking of not having a Santa. My daughter just turned two and doesn't get it yet anyway. I will buy for her at Christmas but I want her to know the real meaning of Christmas and not just toys. We were also raised that you didn't just get toys but things you needed such as clothes and shoes. We are also big fans of the Angel Tree at our church and I hope to use that as a learning tool for her. We can shop for the child together and she can save money to buy for them. I want her to grow up knowing that she is blessed and should be thankful for what she has.

I still would love to hear from someone that has a child that was raised without Santa recently. Please share your story if you have time. And thanks for all the great advice.

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http://theclines-lorie.blogspot.com/

((hugs)) My eldest is two, I think you are making a wise decision.
Another thought came to mind, till school they know none the wiser, but at school they would learn Santa isnt real, (well I did from friends), plus all the other points.

The story of Jesus is exciting and amazing. Celerbrating a saviour is much more exciting then celerbrating a fat man bring pressies. KWIM?

God Bless

YOu make several good points and I can't argue with some of the points you made. It's hard though, from my childhood, Santa was the best part of Christmas, I remember putting cookies out and milk the night before and I wrote letters to him - to me Santa was God, telling him the things I wanted, and hoping I'd get them. I had on my Christmas list things that were non-material, like to be better friends with my cousin or something like that so it wasn't all about toys even when I was little. I guess at small ages, Santa really was God to me. He brought the desires of my heart that I wrote down, and it was so exciting to see in the mornigns what he brought! I'd hate to take that away from Skylar, that excitement in the mornings of what Santa brought her, the surprises, having her write a letter to him, those are my favorite childhood memories. I did want to make sure though my kids were not all about getting toys, so I wanted to do things like find a needy family and their wish list and fill their list to broaden their horizons, so the holiday is not about them.
So I guess I'm the minority, I don't detest the idea, its a fond childhood memory of mine.

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???? Can you explain that further? You mean like an Idol?

__________________



Faith in God’s goodness puts a song in your heart and praise on your lips.

May God Bless You!

Wife, to Matt
Mother Ellie, Wo and Zacy

Amcdo01 - I do see your point. I can even remember one year when "Santa" brought us the pink Barbie house. There was a note on it that is was for me and my sister and that we had to be good and share it. Can you believe we fell for that? Then one year my sister and I told her that we didn't believe anymore and that year Santa came when we were out of town at my grandparents house and the presents were under the tree when we got home. That threw us for a loop. I wouldn't put anyone down for doing the Santa thing. That is your own choice to make in your home. I really don't have to worry about it much since my daughter is only two and totally doesn't get it. I guess the important thing is that she know that Christmas is Jesus birthday and not all about her.

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http://theclines-lorie.blogspot.com/