But the ANSWER? Well, that is not NEARLY as simple!
It’s a very personal decision. And a very difficult decision, in some cases.
But it is OUR DECISION TO MAKE…prayerfully and responsibly. And, regardless of what some might insist, traditions like Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy, DO NOT PRECLUDE teaching our children the TRUTH of our faith, of Christ, and of the meaning of Christmas.
There are fundamental truths to our faith that cannot be compromised, diluted, or marginalized. But then there are traditions…personal choices of what/how to celebrate certain days or ideas or activities…that, when handled properly and responsibly and not allowed to become idolized, can ENHANCE your children’s experiences, joyful celebrations, and understanding of the principles of your faith, not NEGATE them.
I believe every parent has the ability, and the RESPONSIBILTY, to make sure that “Santa” does not come from/lead to “Satan” and his never-ending attempt to make God irrelevant in our society. You may not agree, and I wholly accept and respect that. Please show me that same respect, and do not put a stumbling block before my children because you have made a different decision for your family.
This is a very good article that is honest, objective, and gives healthy perspective to this controversial subject.
http://www.familiesonlinemagazine.com/christian-parenting/christian-santa.html
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It’s bad enough when those who do not hold a biblical, Christ-centered faith are prejudice against those of us that try to live a life that honors our faith and our God. But it make me sad when those WITHIN the body of Christ judge and demonize EACH OTHER because of differences in tradition that DO NOT jeopardize, minimize or lead astray from the fundamental, soul-saving tenants of our faith! I truly believe that it is a self-righteousness that allows some to feel like a “superior Christian” by justifying their egotistical, prideful attempts to make others feel inferior.
Am I saying that a Christian who prayerfully and thoughtfully decides against celebrating the tradition of Santa Claus as part of their Christmas celebration is “self-righteous” and “prideful”? NO, OF COURSE NOT!
But when any brother or sister in Christ disrespects a decision that you make for your family, disregarding your God-granted autonomy over your children, and/or forces their beliefs on your children through bullying and implying shame and inferiority of faith, THAT is sinful self-righteousness, and is NOT of God!
Yes, this certainly is a tough issue! Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy…these are all imaginary parts of childhood that necessitate parents lying to their children! Doesn’t exactly sound like good Christian values, does it?
And, CAN some of these figures and traditions steal the importance away from the true meaning of important Christian holidays that are ESSENTIAL to the faith? ABSOLUTELY! Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny…YES, they CAN lead to a dilution of the very solemn, awe-inspiring truth of what Christ did for us in his incarnation and his resurrection, and everything in between! But it doesn’t HAVE to!
I wonder…
- Do these same Christian parents choose to live in meager homes, forfeit any and all luxury, and consistently resist the desire to give their children unnecessary toys, designer boots, or an HD flat screen TV, all in the name of ensuring that they do not grow to be materialistic?
- Do these same Christian parents choose to never complement their children or reward them for accomplishments, all in order to make sure they do not become prideful?
- Do these same Christian parents never allow their children to play dress-up as children, or never join them in a game of make-believe pirates or princess tea parties or cowboys and indians, or never visit Mickey Mouse or Cinderella at Disney, for fear that it teaches their children that it is acceptable to pretend, or “LIE”?
I suspect that most parents are able to balance the truths and morals of a Christian life with the joys of a magical time in our children’s lives, when their imagination allows for beautiful memories and their innocence allows for the appreciation and enjoyment of certain material blessings.
But, yes, this is all part of the struggle that we, as Christian parents, have to navigate through ALL THE TIME! We want to be generous and bless our children, but we don’t want to raise them to be materialistic and irresponsible stewards; we want our children to be forgiving and gentle, yet to still know how to defend themselves from those that mean to harm them; we want them to avoid being judgemental, yet know “right” and “wrong”; we want them to understand, accept and express their feelings, without giving SO MUCH credence to them that their feelings become idols and our children fall victim to fickle, potentially misleading emotions instead of TRUTH. Yes, we Christian parents know ALL TOO WELL the dangerously fine lines that we traverse EVERY DAY in trying to raise children who love themselves, love others, and love God. Without God’s grace and mercy every day, we would be completely incapable of teaching our children ANYTHING about a complicated life that WE can barely balance, and a mind-boggling God that WE ourselves are unable to fully understand and appreciate!
Yes, it’s hard! And, yes, we make mistakes! But, yes, we try our best to raise each of our families in a way that honors God; and so, as we travel along this difficult minefield of parenthood, I hope that my fellow brothers and sisters will PRAY for me, ENCOURAGE me, and GROW with me…but DO NOT JUDGE me!!!
To Santa or Not To Santa??? Every parent has to decide if/how these ideas and figures fit into their own family, their own traditions, and their own faith.
Do your research. Read your Bible. Pray. And decide what is right for your family. And then, please, MIND YOUR OWN DARN BUSINESS! You mind your house; I will mind mine!
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If you would like to share your own personal thoughts or experiences on this subject, I welcome you to share them. But, just remember that I reserve the right to DELETE YOUR ASS if you try to pull any of that self-righteous, inflammatory, holier-than-thou nonsense on my watch!!!
