for that "Santa" thing again!

We have always been honest and told the kids that Santa was a fun story, based on an actual person, but a story none the less. There were no tears or anything else (unless the older ones were trying to 'enlighten' their church friends about it) and it was always understood that presents were bought and wrapped by family members who cared about them.

But, the controversy rages on. It's another one of those "why do we have to eat eachother alive" debates. The things that the Family of God are willing to fight over is beyond me. It really is.

I read Spunky's blog today about the public school teacher who told the kids there was no Santa...HUH??? Why is she telling them ANYTHING about Santa??? Can teachers not say "Please ask your parents about it"?? The fact of the matter is that no matter if families are believers or not, MANY do the "Santa thing". It's really not in anyone's realm to debunk it except the parents. I know many great, church going, evengelical types who love to "do Santa"...and their kids turned out fine

(i'm truely glad that Spunky allows me to comment on her blog, even though it's often a different POV...)

There was a great story on Tracy's blog about their "Santa" tradition...very nice! (all you Sonlighter's know Tracy as "Mrs. Avallone", moderator on their forums) That's the kind of Giving Spirit I would like my kids to develop someday. Who am I kidding, it would be nice for ME to adopt as well!

I really don't think that in believeing families who do have a "Santa" tradition that Santa is taking the important spot. Even as a kid, raised in a moderate Lutheran family, I KNEW that Christmas was Christ's birth celebration. Even in my rebellious teen years, I knew that the holidays were "holy" days. And as we are raising our family, we aren't any more holy because we DON'T do the "Santa" thing.

As these "holy-days" are upon us, can we not strive for unity among each other, no matter if we "do" Santa or not? Because the World watches us closely and notices how we fight among ourselves over the small things. Why then, do we wonder why the World won't listen to us on the Big Thing?

Many Blessings to all, and To all a Good Night

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Posted by jewls2texas

That's what it's all about - Christmas is a time for peace - and while we're not to compromise truth for peace, what DOES the rest of the world think, while we're so busy arguing "to Santa, or not to Santa, that is the question" instead of sharing the light, and the glorious gift of Christmas! Happy Holy-Days sista!

I think we definitely should meet sometime! PA is not that far from WV! I'd love to get together and have a cup-a-joe!

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Posted by MySmokyMtnHomeschool

Great post Barbara. We've done Santa with our kids. I never thought anything about it until I started hsing and one night a bunch of mom's got on the topic of Santa. They were taking about how Santa was SANTAN and from hell and stuff like that. I was just like, WHAT?! It's Santa. (I was thinking this to myself...b/c I wasn't brave enough to say...uh... we do Santa.) LOL My kids DEFINATELY KNOW that Christmas is all about Jesus, but the Santa thing was fun for DH and me.

This year both of my girls are old enough to know that there ain't no Santa (last year SB asked. That made me kinda sad.) It wasn't a big deal. No tears or drama when she found out. But we never lied about him once they asked straight out. I think she passed on the info to her sis. LOL

I know you have to do what you think it right for your family. I would never condemn or judge someone because of their decission to do Santa or not do Santa. That does make Christians look bad.

OK. Hope I wasn't on my soapbox...LOL I didn't mean to be!

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Posted by PatinTenn

I try to not "buy" in to everything people are saying about the different holiday traditions. I mean, maybe there is a "bad" story behind Santa and maybe there isn't, but I'm not wasting my time finding out. My girls have always been taught the true meaning of Christmas and reminded all year that the birth of Christ was not so we could have another holiday. It was so we could have LIFE and have it more ABUNDANTLY!!!! I was raised believing in Santa and God saved me. It did not mess me up spiritually to have a childhood memory made each year. I even checked with my pastor a few years ago to see if we were doing "harm" to our girls. His answer was, at the age children blieve in Santa, they can't really believe the "whole" thing with God. Their minds only can conceive so much until God gives them understanding. So I believe that if we are teaching our children about God and the things of God ALL year round, what is alittle fun for a few years going to hurt. None of my girls even tried to combine the two issuses at Christmas, it was always Christmas Day is for Christ's birth and Christmas time is when Santa comes. Never have I heard them say something like, "Santa is coming because Christ was born. Do you know what I mean?

I also have to say that I respect everyones choice that they make on this subject. I teach the children's S.S. class at my church and I make sure that the "santa" subject doesn't come up to avoid any comments, good or bad.

Thank you for listening to my point of view.
Pat in Tenn

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Posted by hippiechyck

Julie...when the weather is warmer! LOL...i'm way up in the Poconos though ;-)

AmyBeth...since you graciously design my blog, you can have as much space as you want! ROFL!!!

Pat...thanks for stopping by!

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Posted by PrairieGirl

I think you'd taste good with ketchup, but I prefer dead and cooked to alive and kicking. But maybe that's just me...

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Posted by javajen

I know Hippychyck personally and she would definitely be better braised!
(she's not a bit hippy if you get my drift.)
Santa Shmanta I'm also celebrating the winter solstice this year. I will be dancing in a circle (carol) around a big yule log with 42 or so of my closest friends. What can I say, it's close to my nordic roots, we may even have communion.
I see there is a banner ad for Appalachian Bible College at the bottom of this page, I wonder if they have classes in snake handling?

JavaJen

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