It might not matter to most youngsters when they hear that Santa was just Mom and Dad but it did matter to me. I totally bought the story of Santa going around the world giving gifts to good boys and girls. As far as I was concerned, I should have received a ton of presents like I did the previous Christmas.
Imagine my consternation when all I received on Christmas Eve was a puny mouth organ. Wasn't I good enough to receive more than that little toy?
Worse yet, Mom confessed to me that she had bought the instrument with what little money she had. I couldn't understand why she and Dad had misled me about Santa. My faith in my parents was so shaken that I said that I hated Mom as I bawled.This makes me wonder how many other children reacted to the revelation of Santa only being their parents. Nobody likes being tricked so why do that to one's children?
I love the idea of making Santa's visit into a game rather than saying he's real and kids won't get presents if they're bad. Children love playing imaginary games. This also preserves their faith in their parents and, by extension, God.
The apostle Paul admonishes us in Ephesians 6:4 (KJV) about angering trusting youngsters. "And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." For this reason, I can't understand how deliberately lying to youngsters will accomplish trust in God.
I agree with you 100%, Bruce. When I was a child we always hung stockings and it was a wonderful part of our Christmas, but I don't ever remember believing it was anyone other than my parents who put the gifts there. This in no way spoiled the enjoyment for me. In fact, I remember feeling sorry for other kids who were so gullible, in my mind. When I had my own children, we did the same thing. We still enjoy stockings, even as adults, but they always knew that Santa was a fun game while Jesus was real. Thanks for this brave post.
ReplyDeleteThanks Bruce. I didn’t grow up with the fantasy of Santa Claus but I did raise my children with that story. I grew up with The dutch story of Saint Nicholas. He was told to me as a story, but not his actual facts. I broke the truth about Santa to my children gradually. There were gifts from Santa under the tree and gifts from us. Every year there was one less gift from Santa and one more from us. I remember them both of my kids learn the truth about Santa clause from their peers and not from us. But I can’t really remember at what age that was I suspect it was somewhere between ages of eight and 10. I do remember some confusion for a year or two. As the kids try to fi every year there was one less gift from Santa and one more from us. I remember them both of my kids learn the truth about Santa clause from their peers and not from us. But I can’t really remember at what age that was I suspect it was somewhere between ages of eight and 10. I do remember some confusion for a year or two As the kids tried to grasp the truth.
ReplyDeleteAs Christians I Think we should raise our children with truth and teach the story of Santa as a nice story. Kids love magical stories, The story of Santa Claus does lend it self to some good morals and increases the excitement for children. I believe you can balance the birth of Christ with the gifts of Santa Claus—drawing parallels with the gifts of the magi.
I am somewhat confused by my atheist step children who insist on immersing their child in the story of Santa like it’s a real story but then denying the birth of Christ and the reality of God. I haven’t quite figured that one out yet. Perhaps one day I will be bold enough to ask the question of why their child is not allowed to learn about God but can learn all about Santa Claus and Harry Potter. I’m trusting God on this one. I Wonder how the child will react when she discovers God is real and gets upset.
Sorry the above was voice dictated. I didn’t check the spelling and grammar so I hope you can make sense of it.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree. I was raised understanding Santa was just a game and raised our children the same way. Now, I hear parents cautioning each other to make sure the gift "from Santa" is modest so that kids' feelings aren't hurt when they find out Santa brought their friend something much grander. Seriously? Why go to such lengths to keep a lie alive? I'll never understand it. And along with that, being amused while traumatized infants and toddlers are forced to sit on Santa's lap for a picture. How is that remotely funny? Sure, the child is not in any harm. But they don't know that. C'mon, people!
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