When I was growing up, I was told some guy named Santa went from house to house delivering presents to young kids. Then later I was told it was about the birth of Jesus.
Now, everyone knows Santa does not exist, so why do people still lie about this to children? Not only that, it is for "good" kids! Kids now adays have no idea what being "good" means! I mean look at who raised these kids! US!! Are you "good"? I think lieing to our kids is terrible, even if it seems innocent! Sure, we all love getting gifts, but we can give gifts to whomever we want whenever we want! Why go broke, buying presents for one freaking day!?! It just seems like it would mean more, if I were to give my child a gift on some random day, just because they did something great!
Then there is the birth of Christ. Well, I don't think Jesus celebrated his birthday. It would be mentioned in the bible! There are only 2 birthdays mentioned in the bible, and they were not good stories! So do you think b-days are good?
2007-12-19 01:52:12 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
agreed!!!!
and to make matters worse, jesus wasnt even born in december - he was born in april. This has been proven by the position of the stars on the night he was born described in the bible. It has also been proven by the animals present at the birth.
That is a little known fact, but no one cares enough to change the date of xmas, even tho we now know it was no where near dec.
2007-12-19 01:57:06 · answer #1 · answered by oneakmusic 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
OK, that was some long question. But I should get started.
For the Santa thing. I know, lieing is bad, but this is what some people call "small lies" (all lies are the same for me. Oh, well) Its just something so that they get really happy that 25th. Have you ever seen the face of a kid that got what he wanted on Christmas? Just priceless. And its not so painful when they find the truth. When I discovered the whole Santa thing, I was sad for a day or two, but nothing more.
About being good. Its just something so they behave a bit. Its not like they don't get their present if they misbehaved. Their parents would come up with something like "Santa told us to tell you that he knows that you can be good, so he will give you your present. But he surely won't be so good with you if you don't behave next year!"
About money. You must save a bit all the year for this. Its not like you can buy what a child wants with the December paycheck. Again, its worth it if someone becomes happy. Remember that "Give and receive" stuff? You give presents, then receive self-happiness for making someone's life a bit better.
About Christ. I can't really answer that. Even if I am Christian, I prefer not to put Jesus or God in this. For me, Christmas is a time to spend with your family, and to give and receive. If I tried to beleive in that Jesus was born stuff, some problems would come up. He was definitely not born in December; if you look in the Bible, you will see that they didn't even have a month called December in that time. Like you said, there are almost no birthdays in the Bible, and the only ones are bad.
Birthdays. I don't celebrate them. I may bake a cake for me and my family if I feel like it. If someone gives me something (Christmas or b-day), its fine; they gave it to me because they wanted, not because I asked for it. Almost everything I get, I get it with the money that I earn. Sometimes, I even forget its my birthday until some friend comes with some walmart coupon screaming "Happy Birthday!!!!"
Conclusion!!!!
You don't have to worry about the small details. If I did, I would find Christmas a celebration in which I buy presents and get nothing in return. Just enjoy the moment. And, if you have kids, be sure to save some money to buy that toy they wanted since May.
2007-12-19 10:18:33 · answer #2 · answered by Mr. Brightside 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you on the whole commercialization of Christmas. I think it would be great if Santa came on Arbor Day or something. I am not so sure the "white lie" about Santa is such a horrible thing. Linking Santa to the birth of Jesus is another story though.
I wouldn't worry about Jesus' birthday not being mentioned in the Bible. The Bible also doesn't mention His going to the bathroom, but we have to assume He did. He probably celebrated birthdays in the same manner as other Jews did at that time, not a big deal probably.
My last two cents' worth: Easter is the big day in Christianity. If it weren't for Easter, Christmas would just be a Jewish carpenter's birthday.
2007-12-19 10:01:09 · answer #3 · answered by jack of all trades 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are so right! The only thing I do differently is , I don't go broke! I am not rich but I just shop with in reason! I buy what my family needs( and only if it is on sale) and what would be useful, not what they want and then it's in some closet for the next ten yrs. As far as good kids, when they are bad? How do you not give a kid a present on Christmas day? If the child was bad, then maybe give them candy instead of a toy! I do agree with you 100%!
The whole Christmas thing is Hog Wash if you ask me!
2007-12-19 10:02:53 · answer #4 · answered by fh 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a real basis to the Santa story.
The emphasis is on giving just for the joy of
being selfless; not in the expectation of receiving.
Here is a page on how Santa as we portray him
evolved from the real Saint, which says in part:
"It's been a long journey from the Fourth Century Bishop of Myra, St. Nicholas, who showed his devotion to God in extraordinary kindness and generosity, to America's jolly Santa Claus. However, if you peel back the accretions he is still Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, whose caring surprises continue to model true giving and faithfulness.
There is growing interest in reclaiming the original saint in the United States to help restore the spiritual dimension of this festive time. For indeed, St. Nicholas, lover of the poor and patron saint of children, is a model of how Christians are meant to live. A bishop, Nicholas put Jesus Christ at the center of his life, his ministry, his entire existence."
http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=35
There is nothing wrong with holding an icon of goodness
out to children and encouraging them to imagine and
fantastize, especially about doing good for others. Just
remind them that it's about giving, not getting - and shape
your gifts and celebrations accordingly.
Hope you and your children have a beaut Christmas.
2007-12-19 10:00:27 · answer #5 · answered by Pandora 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christmas is a day we honor the birth of our Savior. There is nothing wrong with having it be a celebration of love and having it be fun for kids. Are you also one of those folks who also believe Santa should say Ha Ha Ha as to not offend anyone or that Santa is offensive to others who don't believe in Christmas....
Live your life as you like, but let the rest of us have fun, celebrate and enjoy!
GOD BLESS SANTA!
2007-12-19 09:59:36 · answer #6 · answered by ScoobyDoo2006 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Genesis 40:20-22 is the first birthday mentioned:
20: And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. 21: And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand: 22: But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them.
And Matthew 14:6-11 is the second time:
6: But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod. 7: Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask. 8: And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger. 9: And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the
oath's sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her. 10: And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.11: And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.
Mark 6:21-28 reiterates this.
And finally in Eccl 7:1 we read: A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.
If you and others celebrate your birthday it in no way affects me. You must make your own decision. The bible doesn't say not to celebrate one's birth.
2007-12-19 09:59:06 · answer #7 · answered by Belize Missionary 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Christmas was adopted as Jesus birthday by early Christians who were trying to convert pagan Europeans who still worshipped their pagan gods and their biggst celebration was the Winter Solistice which means the days will start getting longer which means they will soon be able to grow crops again. So Christians told them that Jesus was born on that day, so they could celebrate Jesus
2007-12-19 09:57:12 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My parents told me and my younger brother and sister Santa was real. My little brother is 7 and my little sister is 6. I'm 17 and I know he's not real, but I also know how it felt to believe in santa. Santa was wonderful, and I looked foward to Christmas thinking he was real. Now I don't care anymore, that is why we tell about Santa because it puts fun in Christmas. Also it is about Jesus, we all knew that. (me, matt, and steph) And we celebrated that as well. So you can celebrate both.
2007-12-19 09:56:59 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I think birthdays are good.
I'd rather have one than NOT have one.
As for Santa, why don't you just worry about yourself and stop telling other parents what to do.
Your philosophy is a good one, but you just cannot dictate to the rest of the world how to live.
2007-12-19 09:55:46 · answer #10 · answered by batgirl2good 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋