Thinking About Santa
I just read a great post over at the Desiring God Blog entitled “Thinking About Santa”. It raises the issue of Santa Claus and the implications of holding this tradition in raising children. Noel Piper holds a pretty good argument for not talking about Santa Claus to young children.
Read it and let me know your thoughts…what do you think? How do you balance the idea of Santa Claus and the real meaning of Christmas? Have you ever really thought about it?
Categories: Uncategorized
Christ, Christianity, Christmas, Religion, Santa Claus, Traditions
I understand the author’s desire. Focus on anything but Jesus can be a distraction especially at Christmas. But the real story of Santa Claus and his love for God and those around him is inspirational. We told our children fairly early about the real Santa Claus and how he helps us understand what God wants from us all year – loving and serving others. And in the true meaning of Christmas, Santa is and was a good example of both.
In recent years I’ve been thinkng about this and how I will approach it when I have kids. My parents and extended family went through so many ordeals trying to keep me believing in Santa and while it was fun and I enjoyed it at te time, I look back wondering why they went through so much trouble. Thankfully my parents went through more trouble teaching me about Jesus and that he is the real one not only watching me, but living with me. It just seems weird that we go through so much trouble to make our kids believe in 2 people only later telling them, “Well, we lied about Santa but the Jesus story is true.”
I don’t get the point of Santa. The Jesus story needs no jolly supplement dressed in strange red/white garb with oversized black boots.
My big problem with Santa, though, is that many professing Christian households really may not celebrate Christmas any different than unbelievers: the emphasis on Santa is the same, lights go up inside and outside the house, and everyone opens gifts on Christmas morning. Should Christians and non-Christians really not appear to celebrate Christmas differently? I think that they should, but I’m afraid that many don’t.
And, no matter how you slice it, telling kids there is a Santa Claus is lying to them. As parents, we are responsible for the spiritual discipleship of our children, and choosing to deceive them in the spirit of some sense of “fun” for a few years just doesn’t seem in the best interest of the child.
After all, a Christian parent will eventually have to say, “Remember when you saw Santa at the mall and sat on his lap? Well, he isn’t really real; that guy in the red suit was just pretending. But remember the God who I said created everything? Well, I know you’ve never seen him, but I promise he’s real. Trust me.”
Why not be clear with the child from the beginning? Sure, St. Nick’s real story may be fun or educational, but Jesus is the point of Christmas. We celebrate the Incarnation! Seriously, what is more exciting, enthralling, delightful, joyful, and mind-blowing than that? Santa-supplements seem unnecessarily distracting.
That’s my take anyway. Can you tell I have pretty strong feelings on the matter?
I think that parents have to decide for themselves how to approach the “santa story” if you will. Even if you choose not to teach it in your own home, it is everywhere. Just as life teaches us that others dont always see things from our christian view point. I also think that as we grow and mature in the Lord we learn new things and are convicted of things that perhaps in our immaturity we werent convicted of. The excitement associated with Christmas as a child doesn’t take away from the excitement that it is Jesus’s birthday celebrated at that time of year. I dont think that there is anything wrong with the Santa kneeling by the manger. The focus is in what we teach our children. Do we teach them in the spirit of giving to others? Of gratitude? The real reason we celebrate is about the birth of Christ.
St Nicholas was a person that went and gave to those less fortunate than himself. Isn’t that where the Santa clause story started? I have friends that dont celebrate any holiday because they believe that it does not honor God. That is their choice and I respect it.
I have jewish friends that put up a christmas tree because their children love the decorating and their friends have one. That doesn’t mean that they believe the way their friends do, they certainly aren’t celebrating Jesus birth, and they celebrate Chanukah just the same. So is it confusing to allow children to get wrapped up in the Santa scene? I guess as parents you have to decide that for ourselves. As well as the easter bunny, the tooth fairy, and invisible friends. Kids do have imaginations, they also love God. They all figure it out sometime, and I dont think that they confuse Jesus with Santa in the reality realm. As long as we teach them the truths of the bible and dont keep up the “santa lie” as some people say when they come to us with the question ” O.k. mom, dad, is there really a santa clause?” I remember coming to the conclusion that santa was not “real” but still enjoyed the fun of the decorations and the traditions. It never made me question whether God was real or not. I dont think it did my kids or grandkids either.
just my opinion.