I was appauled, does it seem strange to anyone else?
2006-12-18 06:26:17 · 22 answers · asked by ? 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I have a 14 month old son, I do not teach him about santa, I do not allow other family member to teach him about santa. I believe it is wrong to put the emphasis on some fat mythological man instead of Christ.
2006-12-18 06:30:05 · answer #1 · answered by hiscinders 4 · 2⤊ 4⤋
Well Im not a fan of impressing Santa on children personally but that doesnt make it wrong by default. Saint Nicholas was a real person and did leave poor children gifts in their stockings so many parents are teaching their child about something that really did happen but I do think it is important to distinguish between what is true and what is just make believe tradition so that the children know the difference. Does it appaul me? No, I will tell my children about Santa Clause but I wont inforce a belief in him. I'll tell them the North Pole, reindeer thing is just a story and then tell them the truth about what St Nicholas did and about Jesus.
2006-12-18 06:34:02 · answer #2 · answered by impossble_dream 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Many people get confused when it comes to Christmas. First off, the idea that Christ was born on December 25th was an invention of the Catholic Church 500 or so years AFTER Christ was born. There is NO reference in the Bible to December 25th or Christmas. In fact, if you study the Bible and the events around Christ birth, you realize that it was more likely that Christ was born in the spring or fall seasons. The sheep would NOT be in the fields in December, even in the Middle East.
Celebrating Christmas as a time to get together with Family and enjoying the traditions of the tree, Santa and fellowship is what it is all about.
2006-12-18 06:32:44 · answer #3 · answered by TG 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Our church sponsors a "Breakfast With Santa" every year. Personally, I was told from day one that there was no such thing as Santa Claus, because my parents didn't want me to be confused on the point. However, Santa is a cultural icon more than anything else. Almost no child who's having breakfast with Santa at our church would actually believe that it's really Santa Claus. It's just a holiday kind of thing. We also teach children about St. Nicholas and St. Lucia and their stories, so they can see (particularly in the case of Santa Claus) where some of those holiday stories came from.
2006-12-18 06:31:58 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Why would you be appauled. Children have a right to celebrate christmas too. We had a Christmas Party in our Church all the time and after the service we would have Santa there to give gifts to everyone plus the children...What is wrong with that.
2006-12-18 06:30:04 · answer #5 · answered by Angell 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
You must remember that even churches as well as individual leaders hit and miss. We become desensitized to things because we chose not to 'throw the baby out with the bathwater'. Although having Santa hanging out at the church does sound a bit confusing for the children. But maybe its there to help you make some decisions in your personal life for you own children, if not now-later. Maybe he was there to test your unconditional love or to see if you would say something to whoever allowed the Santa and find out why. God is amazing in the things he does and he never slumbers so you can be sure he has his reasons for allowing you to see Santa there. I know one thing I do beleive that we are forgetting the power of intercessory prayer and patience. So if Santa bothered you to such a point as this, I think it is meant for YOU to DO something about it. This is more than likely your mission.
2006-12-18 06:46:31 · answer #6 · answered by MeHurdu 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It would depend on HOW Santa was incorporated. If this was "just" a Christmas play (not a prayer service / liturgy / mass of some sort) and if Santa was just on the perimeter greeting kids, I don't think that's so bad. Santa and Jesus don't have to be at odds; we just need to remember who came first and who is the TRULY important one.
(Now I have to admit, when I see people show up for midnight mass wearing Santa hats, I do get a bit annoyed. C'mon, it's a high holy service!)
2006-12-18 06:32:00 · answer #7 · answered by Church Music Girl 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Santa, at a church? Well, I guess it is odd but it depends on the church's denomination. If it was Catholic or Christian(no they are not the same) then maybe it is not as strange as another church might've been. Who set it up? If it was a community play then they might have stepped out of what a priest would've done; for a Christmas play it is not strange. So yes and no, depending.
2006-12-18 06:31:03 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Doesn't seem strange to me. I always remember having Santa at church around Christmas when I was a kid. Most Churches recognize that Santa is an icon beloved by Children. At my parents church, they incorporate both by having Santa recommend praying instead of wishing, etc.
2006-12-18 06:28:51 · answer #9 · answered by SamIam82 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Children are just that children....they don't fully understand the meaning of God or santa. So I feel its Ok to let the children have the fun of being inocent at Christmas and enjoy santa, they will learn the true meaning of Christmas when they are old enough to truly understand it.
2006-12-18 14:12:54 · answer #10 · answered by eva diane 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Santa was there greeting the kide just to entertain them and cheer them up. Christmas is a festival of enjoyment of course a Santa will cheer the kids. I dont understand what's the point of asking this question.
2006-12-18 06:34:30 · answer #11 · answered by Ash 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋