Christians, do you do the Santa thing with your kids? If so, why?

Question

We decided not to do Santa with our kids and have never been sorry for it. But it is surprising to us that so many other Christian families practice the Santa myth. I'm totally confused why people would lie to their kids about it.

Answer 1

First let me appauld you for taking a stand. I myself am a father also and we don't celebrate Christmas in sense of what world does for the season. I personally don't do it because it has been so commericalize and this is an attack of the prince of this world. The devil has done anything and is willing to do anything to take Christ of Christmas. He has been successful with removing prayer in schools, removal of the ten commandments in the judicial system and etc. In turn he has replace it with same sex marriages, the flaunting of homosexuality on every media market available, lewd television shows and basically the I'm going to do me attitude of many people in this world. Don't be confused, this should be in no way shocking. People for years have been carrying on the legends of lies from, the easter bunny, the tooth fairy, santa claus and a host of other falsehoods. John chap 3:19 (paraphase)says man loves darkness rather than light because his heart is evil. The Christmas of this day for the most part does not glorify God in any sense. It's a numbers game that is all about money. The more we sell the fatter our wallets. It has created a bigger air of greed in the world today. Just look at all the choas over video games, elmos and etc. People are getting hurt over this foolish. This breeds violence, hate,envy, jealousy and so on. God can surely not be please. Please don't expect the world to understand or make the difference. This is the job of us so-called christians. The salt of thee earth as the bible refers to us. Many people love the lies because their father the devil is the father of lies. Many Christians celebrate christmas in the way of the world because many of them are afraid to stand up, some just don't know any better and some are just self professed christians who don't follow the way of the Lord. This isn't a honest or just world so expect any better. Strive to be the best you can be and try to help who you can on the way.Thank you and If you want to listen and be apart of a Bold Bible Based Ministry. You can check my friends and I at www.StandupMinistry.com We are available in the tri-state area on the radio. Station 970am Thursday 6-6:30 eastern. You also podcast previous show all day anytime of the week. Thank you.
Let the Word of God be our final authority

Answer 2

W e don't abolish Santa. We do not encourage him either. We keep Christmas about the Birth of our Savior, Jesus. I will not lie to my kids, and when the older ones were the right age, we told them about the true St. Nicholas and what he did and how many traditions and folklore came from his actions. But, as for Santa, he is kept on the same level as Mickey Mouse and Goofy. I have no problem with them being excited to give Mickey Mouse a big hug at Disneyland, or saying Hi to Santa at the mall. They can use their imagination and play without being lied to.

All in all, I want them to know that I mean what I say. That I will not lie to them and make promises that can't be kept. God is God, and only He can be all places all the time, and know when we are sleeping and when we are awake, or whether we have been good or bad.

A Blessed Christmas to all.

Answer 3

I think Santa is very overrated and it takes away the true meaning of Christmas between you and I my husbands sister has 3 kids and she has them all hyped up about Santa the north pole etc etc
they don't go to church so when they find the truth they will be a bit let down.

I was nine when I found out there was no Santa Claus and that it was my parents who brought the gifts. I was glad and accepted that and moved on with my life because when I was bad I was threatened that Santa was not going to bring gifts and that Santa was watching, that was annoying to me.

St Nick was a man who loved God and this is where Santa was derived but Santa has taken center stage and Jesus is in the back round and in reality Santa should be bowing to Jesus so to speak.

It is sad how Christmas is commercialized and cheapened when in the truth Jesus is the reason for the season.

My husband and I are giving little gifts because that is all we can afford as we are moving BUT we also pray for our families all the time which is a gift that keeps giving.

Parents want their children to experience joy for Christmas but to joy should be directed at Jesus not Santa, Santa did not die for their sins. Jesus did.

Answer 4

I chose not to do Santa with my kids because I was so upset when I found out there is no Santa. I felt my parents lied to me and it really hurt. Our kids have fun with the idea of Santa but were never told any gift was from Santa or that he was a real person. They are older now, in their 20's and are very glad we didn't do Santa with them. I think you are a wise man.

Answer 5

That's the problem there. My wife is the same way...she is utterly anti-Santa, whereas I can accept the idea of Santa. Now granted, she is more against it than I am for it, so I'll likely hold to her decision of not having Santa for our boys so as not to cause a rift in our family. However, I wish she would be less set in her ways about it, as I see it as a wonderful time to let the magic of Christmas unwind. If Christmas, to Christians, is ONLY about the birth of Christ, then they should not get together with their families to celebrate. They should sit in their rooms and contemplate Jesus birth in their own hearts. And likewise, they should do that every day of the year...making December 25th of no concern to them. But I see Christmas as so much more...

Christmas is a time when the birth of Jesus is celebrated. God sent his son to be born among us humans. This is one of the greatest acts that he could have done. Bonding himself forever with humanity. This event being so spectacular on a cosmic scale should be celebrated in spectacular ways. All the lights and sparkles...show us the radiance of God's gift. God gave a gift to us, thus we emulate by giving gifts to others. With Jesus being born there is an emphasis on family. Thus we enjoy the time we have with our families (natural families or our friends as our family). And then we have Santa. The icon of a selfless man who gives freely to people he doesn't even know, based on a perception of if you have been good or bad. He rewards the good, while giving nothing to the bad. Reinforcement for behavior.

The real problem with the whole Santa thing is that it has become so commerciallized. Let's face it...people, in general, are greedy and selfish. There are people who are not, but for the most part, that's what I've seen. And our children grow up to know this greed. Our children are spoiled because their buddy got a new so they should get one too! And when we give it to them we reinforce the fact that they should get whatever they want. If we can start by eliminating much of the greed from Christmas, then I think the concept of Santa is one even Jesus would approve of.

Answer 6

When kids grow out of it (the Santa story) they smile and feel funny, and they like their memories of Santa and the songs and all. I do not feel that the kids think they have been lied to, because of their expression when it dawns on them that Santa is a story only. You would not want small children to have to endure thoughts of Christ on the cross, for at a tender age, this would do more harm than good. All things in good time.

Answer 7

I'm still young and I remember not being too let down when my parents told me he wasn't real when I was 7. They just explained to me the tradition of honoring Saint Nicolas and how kind he was with the presents he gave orphans. Before then I always had a great time looking forawrd to Santa and it was a good childhood experience. I'd just suggest to tell your children when they're starting to realize that he isn't real that tradition is an important part of families and keeping Saint Nick's memory and ideals of giving alive.

Answer 8

I dont have kids now, but if I did, I wouldnt do the Santa thing. Or the tooth fairy, or the Easter Bunny. I would still hide eggs and give them money for their teeth, but I would tell them the truth.
When my parents told me "the truth" I was very upset that they had lied to me for so long, for no good reason

Answer 9

No. We did not want to start raising our children with telling them lies. My wife told them "your daddy worked very hard for the gifts we give you and we do it to honor the birth of our Lord. Our kids even now (in their 20's) practice the same way. Also no bunnies that lay candy eggs

Answer 10

When I became a Christian, I stopped the santa thing. my girls were 9yrs old and 5yrs old at the time. I stopped because I felt convicted to! Now they're grown and on their own.