Why Santa?

Question

As a Christian(any one can answer), I am not going to tell my children about Santa(the sleigh driving one), I will tell them about a man long ago who delivered needed items too the poor. What I want to know is why is Santa so important in our culture??? And don't say hope...if you need hope there is Christ..he is all the hope you(or children) need.

the tooth fairy, and easter bunny fit in with what i am saying too, I won't be telling my kids they are real either....any comments?

thank you katia for your answer though I don't agree...it was a well thought out answer with a very good point

Answer 1

Why is anything fictional important to our culture? Why do we watch movies, read books, or tell stories? Because it's fun. Because we have imaginations, and it'd be a crime to ignore them. I know of few people - Christian or otherwise - who grow up somehow *harmed* because of a childhood belief in Santa. All children have imaginary friends, unless their parents condemn every imaginative thing they do. Why is it so terrible to allow the children to believe, for the few short years that they can, in an imaginary figure that selflessly gives to all the children in the world one night a year?

Does that not fit with the theme? Selfless giving at Christmastime? I believe it does. Few people *honestly* believe that Santa is more important than "the reason for the season". As a child, I was just as fascinated by the biblical story of Christ, and the setting up of the nativity. Sure, when you're a small child, Santa may seem like the main character in the play, but once you outgrow that belief, it's just a fond memory that really takes nothing away from the religious value of the holiday.

I'm not condemning your choice - tell your children what you wish, by all means. But I see no harm in it, and I definitely see value in mythical figures and the role they play in fostering imagination.

Answer 2

So don't teach them about Santa if mythology upsets you. Every culture has their own set of beliefs. I find them all to be fun and fascinating. I especially like the Icelandic Yuletide Lads, but thats just me.

I'll teach my kid the truth about Dec.25 and that Jesus was NOT born then. It was a holiday stolen from the Pagans and Christianized. Most Christians know that Jesus was not born in Dec. and that most Christmas customs were originally Winter Solstice traditions.

I think Santa is important in our culture because everyone needs a little magic. He's become a popular figure in society and theres no escaping that. Just make sure your kid(s) aren't the ones running around kindergarten/first grade ruining the fun for the other kids. We had one at my grade school and she was just known as a stick in the mud after that. Most kids know he isn't real. . . .doesn't make it any less fun to believe. I still believe in Santa and I'm 24! You don't ever need to let the magic go.

Bottom line is this: Teach your children what you want to, what makes you comfortable.

Answer 3

Well, last Christmas time I actually saw a very lovely historical presentation of Santa Claus, the orginal one and his special connection to children and Christmas. It was on TBN, a Christian television station. It also gave a strong argument why Kris Kringel (sp?) was tied in with Christian beliefs.

It's sad, but nowadays, Santa Claus and gifts are the main cause of celebration on Christmas. A lot of people really miss the mark during the Christmas season. Santa has morphed into something totally opposite of what he was meant to represent. He was loving his neighbors by giving to the poor. Today, instead we are running over people at shopping centers on the day after Thanksgiving to be the first to get the lastest X-Box whatever...

My point is that the spirit of orginal Santa can really be a positve influence around Christmas time. But, that's nothing compared to Jesus Christ who gave us the free gift of eternal life.

Answer 4

Unfortunately there's nothing for it. If your kid really does not know about Santa while all the other kids celebrate and they're uninvited - they won't be happy. And in modern society, shielding your kid from the christmas craze is impossible. It might be an idea to partake in it ever so slightly, but have the children look forward to something beyond it, ie New Years and expand on that making it a family party.

Answer 5

Because fairy tales are nice. Will you deny your child stories such as Cinderella and characters like the tooth fairy too just because they don't exist. The world is a terrible place and children have fun because they believe it isn't and that there is magic. You will end up with a very somber child who has no imagination if you do this which will segregate them from others completely.

Answer 6

I agree, Santa is just Satan's way of getting the true meaning of Christmas confused. It should be about the birth of Christ and not about presents, santa and all these decorations.

I want to teach my children about what really happened on the day we celebrate Christmas

Answer 7

Santa was invented by the coca cola company. He was inspired by the dutch Sinterklaas, who was in the past the bisshop of myra. Santa clauses ways of giving presents and having helpers resembles our sinterklaas. Exept Sinterklaas lives in spain and has black helpers. (they are covered in soot from the chimneys) He comes in a steam boat, not in a sleigh.

The original bisshop from myra used to help the needy people. He would give gold pieces to children in prostitution to make sure they could have a better life, stuff like that. We celebrate his birthday every year on the 5th of december. He comes in our houses at night and puts presents in our shoes. (notice the resemblence with santa's socks) On his actual birthday his helpers usually leave a bag of presents in front of our door. So you see coca cola used an existing cultural holiday and converted it into santa clause.

Answer 8

Because it's a fun legend. Some churches reconcile the two. When I was still a Christian, the church I attended had Santa come in during the children's nativity and leave a gift for Jesus. Very quiet and respectful.

Answer 9

Christ and Santa go together at Christmas.... It's all magical for children... it's not all about the pressies, take them to a sick children's ward and when santa arrives you should see their little faces....Now that's what's worth seeing :)

Answer 10

Santa Rules Baby!!! whooooo