Before starting I can say without a doubt that this article is going to make me unpopular, at least, more so than I already am. Years ago, this legend was born because a generous man wanted to give the children something on what was considered the most important day of the year – the birth of Christ. He wanted to give good gifts to the children as a reminder of the most important gift that was ever given.
What is wrong with this Santa Claus? Not one thing. I repeat – NOT ONE THING! This is going to make fundamental people upset at me – but just wait a minute! Just like with any other thing that men get hold of the legend of Santa Claus grew and morphed into someone that comes along and gives to you what ever you want and whatever wish you make will become true. Santa Claus is not only a genie, but he can give you your hearts desires!
According to Christmas movies, he can even manipulate people to fall in love! Whatever you want, whatever you need you can have it your way no matter how you act. (We have at this point even taken the naughty or nice thing out of the picture.) Sounds like the way the world treats God nowadays
(there are no consequences to actions anymore). Whatever you want, no matter how you live, you will receive your hearts desires.
It looks to me like the world has taken the sweet legend of St. Nick and created a monster that has become another long line in the gods that this world has created. Anyone remember the very first of the ten commandments?
“Thous shalt have not other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3
Let me reiterate – nothing at all wrong with Santa Claus, unless you try to make something more out of Santa than was originally intended.
I will tell you that we, as parents, had seen all the greed that had been established through this tradition back in the late 1980s, so we told our kids about the legend and about actual facts. Looking back on it, sometimes I regret that decision. You can have fun with your children, you can have fantasies; but you can also emphasize the truth about what Christmas means if you just keep some perspective. I do not care how much money you have, your child does not need the latest mega-buck video gaming system to celebrate the birth of Christ!
AE
and continuing…
When I had children my husband and I never really discussed whether or not we would do the whole Santa Claus tradition or not. It just wasn’t something we really had talked about one way or the other. It wasn’t something I’d really thought about. We let our kids sit on Santa’s lap at the mall, and we read the Christmas stories, and watched the movies. It was fun, but the moment my 3 year old daughter looked me straight in the eye and asked, “Mommy, is Santa Claus real?” and I stood looking into her trusting face for a moment, I could not bring myself to say yes. I told her that no, Santa wasn’t a real person he was just something fun to do at Christmas. You don’t have to agree with me, but lying to my child in that moment was something I could not bring myself to do. I tell my children things that are true. Would it have killed her to believe in Santa Claus? No, but I just could not do it.
My kids still sat on Santa’s lap every year and asked for something outrageous. One year they embarrassed my mom who took them to see Santa Claus. I remember she called me laughing so hard when my son asked for cabbage, and my daughter asked for bell peppers. She said mall Santa’s reaction was priceless!
I have since heard another mom who uses Santa as a tool to help give her children the ability to start thinking logically. When they ask, she says, “What do you think?” If I could go back and start over this may be the approach that I would use because any chance to help my children build logic and reasoning skills is a wonderful tool, especially in today’s climate.
I think a lot of people make the Santa thing into such a big deal. What should I tell my kids, etc.? I do tell my children that they should never tell friends that Santa isn’t real because what families tell their children about Santa is up to their mom and dad. It’s not our job to raise someone else’s child.
Growing up I remember that we didn’t make a big deal out of Santa either. It wasn’t taboo, but it wasn’t important. My favorite tradition growing up was on Christmas Eve every year the lights were turned on, and we’d sit by the tree with our Bibles and read the story of Jesus birth. We were together, and we were warm, and it was beautiful. We’d sing Christmas carols, and then we would all open one gift (usually a book or a movie to watch before bed). Christmas can be magical without Santa. Together with Christ as the center is what made my family Christmas seem magical. I try each year to carry those same traditions forward. I want my family to remember who we are celebrating and why. Otherwise Christmas is just a day of getting stuff. I don’t spend a lot of money at Christmas, and I don’t turn it into a competition although that is tempting at times. This year especially I felt like buying piles of stuff to do because of 2020, but I started to shop, and felt like God was saying “Stop. This isn’t about me. This is about you.” So I stopped. And we will be contented with what we have, and we will be thankful that we have been blessed beyond measure. I look forward to creating special moments with my loved ones, and keeping our focus on the Lord.
If you do a big huge Christmas and you do Santa Claus and you do over the top everything that is fine too. Don’t let it outshine the true meaning of the season because the stuff is temporary, but Jesus is eternal. Kids who learn joy and contentment early will be kids who can be happy in spite of the circumstances surrounding them. Give your kids the gift of truth and love this Christmas!
Also, read the original story of St. Nicholas. Fascinating story! Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.
GA
Voice of the Introverts 