If you bring up children to believe and understand that Christmas is the day in which Christ was brought into the physical world, and that's the true reason for celebrating, then where does Santa fit it? Is there a happy medium in which you can have the wonders of Christ and the magic of Santa? Is lying to the kids really the right thing to do for the sake of Christmas traditions? I'm just curious as to how other Christian parents went about rasing their kids with regard to the holiday seasons.
2006-10-06 17:14:42 · 19 answers · asked by andy_pann 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Christmas
santa is the one who helps spread the joy of the celebration
2006-10-06 17:17:23 · answer #1 · answered by Shadow 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my home growing up we never believed in Santa It was a taboo subject almost. I am a Christian but I kinda feel like I missed some of the magic of Christmas as a child. I think if we would have been able to do all the things associated with Santa but know that is was just make believe that would have made things more fun and magical. I now have a daughter who is 4 (will be 5 on 12-24!) She believes in Jesus and She knows the reason for Christmas But we still do Santa as a make believe part of our Holidays. She knows Santa is a make believe game and Jesus is the real reason for the season
2006-10-06 17:28:03 · answer #2 · answered by Katie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Almost every Continent believes in some sort of Santa Claus...and there is a history to the story...
...so just have fun with the story...share the story from sources of History...tell the child many do believe in Santa young and old...and if they wish to believe that is up to them...and it is OK!...also tell them the story of Jesus which is from the Bible. Read it to them! Tell them this is the true meaning of Christmas. And the difference between Christianity and other religions is that Christians accept the truth about Christ Jesus, that Jesus is God's son, and read
also where it tells the child the reward of accepting Jesus as God's Son...this is the reason we celebrate Christmas! WE have
eternal salvation through Christ. Others may worship the same God, but not in the same way and they do not have eternal salvation...that is our job Acts 20:24 to share the Gospel as Christians we all share this same job, some do it in pulpits, and most do not do it very well at all, but we are all human, and we must continue to try to spread the Gospel, and be an example it
is our job as Christians no matter what we do in our lives, if we are students, be an example, spread the Gospel, if we are mothers be an example, spread the Gospel, if we are providers for our homes, be an example and spread the Gospel...in our work, our play...our training of our children both by night and by day! Men and Women and Children of God are richly blessed without measure in being obedient memorize and make it your motivation for our Nation! Acts 20:24!
2006-10-07 08:01:54 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its funny you asked this, because I went exactly thru the same thing. Heres what I did, I explained the birth of Jesus and as to why we celebrate Christmas, and I said that Jesus then created Santa, so that he can go around the world to make all the little children happy, if they were good on Christmas day.
Dont look at it as, Oh I can we say Santa, when theres really no such thing, theres a Jesus, and that is what is should only be...
these little kids, are just children! They will one day lose touch with Santa as it is, and grow up before you know it. The important thing is to let them enjoy the spirit of Christmas, along with all of its traditional stories and events....its what makes their childhood. One day, your son or daughter, will grow up, and continue to follow the Christian path, but Santa will no longer be in the picture...so this whole Santa situtation right now, isnt a long life issue.
Very good question though! I hope I helped somewhat!
2006-10-07 02:27:48 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Santa Clause is a man made up story for merchants to help sell their products. Why would anyone want to support this type of propaganda. Its not true and it does harm to children and adults.
Always tell your children the truth about life and living. Don't put fantasies in their little minds and when they grow up it is shattered.
Most people that proclaim to be Christian are Christian in name only. They will be deceived when the soon to arrive Antichrist appears here on the earth.
A true Christian has the Seal of God in their foreheads. They know the truth because they have accepted Jesus Christ and repented for their sins and have been forgiven. God has led them to His Word and though this Word, Jesus Christ they have gained much Wisdom. This is the road less taken by the people of today.
I say, get off the main highway and take the path less taken as it leads straight to the Shepard's Gate.
December 25th, the day the world believes that the Lord Jesus Christ was born is a lie. The church thought this one up as a way to get your money.
December 25th is the day that the angel Gabriel visited Mary and told her that the Holy Spirit would descend upon her and she would conceive a child and His name would be Emmanuel, God with us.
Jesus Christ's birth is September 29th. This is what a true Christian parent teaches their children. Not the ways of the world that lead to death. Think about it and read it all for yourself in the KJV Bible.><>
2006-10-06 17:32:53 · answer #5 · answered by CEM 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My parents raised me to believe in Santa but they made sure I knew the story of Christ behind it. It's hard to avoid hearing the manger story for any child who celebrates Christmas, so I think it's ok as long as they know what Christmas is all about. If you're trying to figure out what to tell your kids, I suggest telling them that Santa is an angel sent from Jesus who helps everyone have a wonderful Christmas.
2006-10-07 06:26:34 · answer #6 · answered by Sarah 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Santa was a real person. A Bishop who was a canonized actually, so he is a Saint. Saint Nicholas.
What happened was these 3 sisters didn't have $$ for a dowry, so they were going to have to marry old men. The Bishop heard about this and he though it was wrong for young girls to marry old men, so he went to their House at night & left $$ in thier shoes.
I say let the kids believe in Santa Claus for a while, & when they learn the truth teach them about St. Nicholas.
You can also explain to you little ones that Santa brings prsents to all the children on Jesus's Birthday, because Jesus dosn't need presents in heaven, but what ever you do for one of Jesus's people you are doing it for Jesus.
2006-10-09 03:24:10 · answer #7 · answered by ee 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Celebrating Christmas has many customs. One custom was started by Saint Nicholas. In parts of Europe gifts are given out on St. Nicholas Day not on Christmas Day. Also names days are celebrated like birthdays in North America.
You can have the wonders of Christ and magic of Santa. You know that after people die, many leave legacies. The legacy of St. Nick is to give to the poor. This can be extended to children and friends as well. In reality Christs teachings were to give to the poor anytime you can. The Three Wise Men gave gifts after Christ was born, so today we give gifts on Christ's birthday as a tradition combining St Nick and Jesus's birthday.. As for lying to the children goes - Christians believe that Christ and the saints are alive in spirit. To us Earthings this is mysterious because science cannot prove it, but we have many signs to accept and believe it. You can say the gifts are from Santa as you are doing as he did. When children are old enough to understand that Santa in the commercial world is fake and different from St. Nick, they are old enough to understand that you are carrying on the St. Nick tradition. The lies are on TV - Santa on a sheigh with reindeers and elvs and all that stuff, but you don't have to push it. Being a Christian is not only what you believe but how you live your life in relation to how Christ taught us to not just by giving to the poor but all the other things He instructed us to do.
2006-10-06 18:15:36 · answer #8 · answered by Canuck Guy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
All kidding aside.....Jesus isn't just about Christmas. In fact I heard that when he was born there was shorter calendar year and His birthday would actually fall around August.
I'm not a Christian....but if I was I would make everyday about Jesus and his teachings. I firmly believe, that all children should learn these, because it's a great basis for all lives.
As for Santa....he is based on St Nicholas. I guess I would teach them about St Nicholas and that he is represented by the image of Santa Claus.
2006-10-06 17:34:38 · answer #9 · answered by beth81962 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Santa is for fun
Jesus is the savior we celebrate
I think most kids know Santa is just fun
But you can sing happy birthday to Jesus, as we do.
If you attend church etc and have Jesus in your life all year long and Santa only comes up at Christmas, I think the line is pretty clear.
2006-10-07 12:58:05 · answer #10 · answered by aprilandroland 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Saint Nickolaus did bring presents to children supposedly. I have my kids get ready for Santa claus, but before opening gifts we sing happy birthday to Jesus because it is nice for them to know the importance of why we celebrate Christmas in the first place.
2006-10-06 18:44:56 · answer #11 · answered by Becsteroni Magl 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋