Theoretical
Puritan Board Professor
Well-stated, Andrew. You stated some of my greatest concerns with teaching and encouraging children about Santa, given this works-righteousness issue.
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Santa's works-based righteousness is insidious. And I actually don't mean this sarcastically. If only good little boys and girls get presents from Santa and somehow every little boy and girl who has parents with at least a little money gets presents, that means we are teaching children that they are "good" even while they sin. How then can we be surprised when they grow up and as adults believe this exact same thing? "Well yeah I've made mistakes but that doesn't make me a bad person! God should still give me ___________ ."
We have relatives who are very into Santa that are coming to celebrate Christmas. They know where we are, and they (being RC) are cool with it in theory, but still throw in a lot of Santa speak around my kids, so in a sense they know what they're missing. Its not like I can just pretend this aspect of the holiday doesn't exist. Dh and I are wondering whether to do "stockings" with little presents (just making clear that the presents are from mom and dad, just remembering what St. Nick did in his efforts to serve God) or just skip it altogether, even around others doing it.
That's pretty much how we handled it.We told them some families like to pretend Santa is real, and many kids even believe it, but he's actually make believe. Our first priority was not to lie to them. What would they think about the Bible stories we tell if they found we lied about Santa?
We also tried to avoid being disparaging of people who do pretend Santa is real. We told our kids it isn't nice to ruin those people's fun.
Finally, we told them the true story of St. Nicholas. But this led to my daughter, when she was about three, explaining to a friend that Santa was dead. Not a popular move.
Do you tell them not to tell other children? So far we've just told our almost 5 year old just not to bring it up, that some parents play the "Santa game" and some kids think that Santa is really real, but that we don't play that game because it distracts us from Jesus.
We've talked a little about the St. Nicholas legend (former RC here, we always put our shoes outside our classrooms around this time in Dec to get a candy cane stuck in them on St. Nick's feast day in Catholic school).
I guess I'm looking for specific practicalities - like what do you teach your child to say to the well meaning people at the store who say to your kids "are you excited about Santa?" That sort of thing. I don't want her to come off as some little holier-than-thou, especially to a non-believer.
Dealing with Santa is easy: cancel Christmas - in the church and in the home. At that point there will be no room for syncretism from this issue because Santa Claus will cease to exist.
With my children, it has been more of a challenge. They believe Santa is real no matter what I tell them. And yes, sometimes there are gifts under the tree from Santa. Maybe that's wrong?
I'm perplexed by your attitude about this matter Montanablue.
Christmas is like a Hobbits birthday you buy gifts for everyone else.
nor do I expect her to lie to other kids if they push her into a corner to talk about Santa.
i've always told chloë that santa, the reindeer, etc. Are just pretend and that no one has all-knowing power or is everywhere all the time except god alone. They're fine to pretend about, but that's as far as it goes. I also never tell her that christmas is about Jesus, religion, etc. . . Because it shouldn't be (yes, i realize the immense unpopularity of my position, even amongst many professing reformed folk). I tell her the only holy day that exists is the lord's day and that we don't celebrate Christ's birth apart from his life, death, and resurrection. If it must be *at all*, i much prefer the emphasis be on family, modest gift-giving (if people prefer), and just wintery fun time than it be on idolatry and will-worship (and i am not speaking to the intent or sincerity of those who engage therein). I would cut it out altogether except that the people with whom my little one is most of the time celebrate it, as does my mum n dad, etc. But i will not lie to my little girl, nor do i expect her to lie to other kids if they push her into a corner to talk about santa.
P.s. - besides the idolatrous part of this "holiday" in making it "christian," i hate the commercialization of it because of the ridiculous pressure that's put on people to spend money they don't have at work, at school, at home, and at play. To me, it is simply absurd to spend the kind of money some people spend at christmas that they might not otherwise spend except to keep from disappointing their children because they don't "get stuff" like all the other families do.
Note: I'm not saying that anyone here does this! But I have seen many strutting six year olds preaching to both children and adults about how they should change their family's traditions, and I think its both ridiculous and rude. Just my 2 cents.
With my children, it has been more of a challenge. They believe Santa is real no matter what I tell them. And yes, sometimes there are gifts under the tree from Santa. Maybe that's wrong?
I can see where it might be hard to believe that someone who is giving you presents doesn't exist.
Joshua said:I would cut it out altogether . . .
Such nonsensical trabblings do not dortestecate the chifflamations of the formaltesque gigs.Joshua said:I would cut it out altogether . . .
Whatever, Grinch. I like to trim the occu-pant with who-fu-floof and have roast beast and bang our tartinkers and sing fahhooforays and play noisy games. Someday you will find the strength of 10 grinches plus 2 to embrace the floof and the tringlers and pantookers.
Note: I'm not saying that anyone here does this! But I have seen many strutting six year olds preaching to both children and adults about how they should change their family's traditions, and I think its both ridiculous and rude. Just my 2 cents.
Kids are renowned for saying things parents would rather they didn't. One pleasant child asked me, as I was preparing to leave her house, if I was going to hell. Getting irritated at a 6-year old for indiscretion seems like setting your expectations too high.
Be as honest as possible and don't lie to your child.
I've always told Chloë that Santa, the Reindeer, etc. are just pretend and that no one has all-knowing power or is everywhere all the time except God alone. They're fine to pretend about, but that's as far as it goes. I also never tell her that Christmas is about Jesus, religion, etc. . . because it shouldn't be (yes, I realize the immense unpopularity of my position, even amongst many professing Reformed folk). I tell her the only holy day that exists is the Lord's Day and that we don't celebrate Christ's birth apart from his life, death, and resurrection. If it must be *at all*, I much prefer the emphasis be on family, modest gift-giving (if people prefer), and just wintery fun time than it be on idolatry and will-worship (and I am not speaking to the intent or sincerity of those who engage therein). I would cut it out altogether except that the people with whom my little one is most of the time celebrate it, as does my mum n dad, etc. but I will not lie to my little girl, nor do I expect her to lie to other kids if they push her into a corner to talk about Santa.
P.S. - Besides the idolatrous part of this "holiday" in making it "Christian," I hate the commercialization of it because of the ridiculous pressure that's put on people to spend money they don't have at work, at school, at home, and at play. To me, it is simply absurd to spend the kind of money some people spend at Christmas that they might not otherwise spend except to keep from disappointing their children because they don't "get stuff" like all the other families do.
Narrator: He puzzled and puzzled till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas... perhaps... means a little bit more!
Narrator: And what happened then? Well, in Whoville they say that the Grinch's small heart grew three sizes that day. And then - the true meaning of Christmas came through, and the Grinch found the strength of *ten* Grinches, plus two!