Comments on: The Santa Claus Dilemma

By: Cortney @ EvanHasLanded

Cortney @ EvanHasLanded — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 18:15:00 +0000

What a great idea. My husband and I have had many discussions the last couple of weeks on how to deal with this, our boys are 2 and 1. And we have gone back and forth on the matter. I am so glad to hear others who are Christians are trying to find a compromise! We still haven’t made up our minds, but definitely reading this has eased my heart a little bit! Thanks for sharing!

By: Southern Ange

Southern Ange — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 01:22:31 +0000

Thanks for that letter! The best I’ve read for awhile.

By: God Gave Us Christmas by Lisa Tawn Bergren | Leaving a Mark

God Gave Us Christmas by Lisa Tawn Bergren | Leaving a Mark — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 02:01:49 +0000

[...] more on the delicate coverage of Santa Claus, check out this excellent and touching letter: The Santa Claus Dilemma ↩ « Thanksgiving [...]

By: Seth

Seth — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 23:15:22 +0000

Danielle and C, I love the comments in this post because my Children really, really want to believe in Santa. It is difficult because, although I do not want to teach them to believe an untruth, I do not want to take away the magic of Christmas. Perhaps there is a way to teach them to believe in the ideology of Santa (and allow them time and space to explore his reality). What if, as C said, we taught them that Santa trusted in the same Spirit as we? Perhaps one way to do that is to teach them about the historical Saint Nicholas, a man revered for giving to the poor. Talk about counter-cultural and historically accurate. I'm thinking of exploring this this year as I teach my children that Jesus came to rescue and redeem those in need (us)--that it is the magic and wonder of the Jesus story that drives this season. I'm thinking of teaching them that Santa really understood and acted upon that story.

By: Danielle

Danielle — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:24:30 +0000

What a beautiful letter – so truly perfect. Your children are truly blessed to have a mom and dad who support the magic of Santa Claus without losing ANY of the joy, respect and truth of the true spirit of the holiday!

By: C

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:38:21 +0000

There are infinite ways to use the beauty and wonder that children feel for the story of Santa to bring their focus to Christ.
eg. ~relate the self-less giving of Santa to the most self-less gift of all. ~accentuate the power of faith.
~have him leave 3 gifts for each child under the tree to commemorate the 3 wise men.
~children can understand that Santa (Saint) is inspired by the same Spirit that inspires Gospel, you, and I …working through us to promote love and self-less giving.
For our children to experience a faith based Santa, can give them the tools they need to facilitate Truth conversation in social settings. They can share the message of Love with other children while preserving faith and hope in an increasingly secular world.

I adore this movement, of which Christmas Change and The Advent Conspiracy, are a part. I appreciate their efforts to renew and restore meaning to the ritual and celebration of Christmas and am thankful for the inspiration to re-evaluate and reconstruct what Christmas is in my own home and heart.

By: RM

RM — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:31:50 +0000

Hmmm, is it too terribly difficult to raise our children to be “set apart” from the world and its meaningless rituals? Yes, Santa is a harmless childhood experience, but why do we as believers allow the world’s ideals to so permeate our world view? It’s not that hard to proclaim the truth to our children and let them see the Santa story for what it really is…just a story that tends to take attention and honor away from the King of Kings. The letter was brilliant, and brought the focus back where it belonged, but why set your kids up for a fall they never need to experience? Surely the pure, beautiful truth of Christ coming to earth as a baby to give His life for us is a beautiful enough reality to spend the Christmas season focusing on, without the silliness of Santa getting in the way. Thank you for letting me be heard.

By: thegypsymama

thegypsymama — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 18:46:27 +0000

Gosh, this seems so timely for me to have stumbled upon. I have never introduced my kids to Santa, but it seems they pick it up by osmosis. My four year old was telling me in detail last night how very real Santa is and despite my assertions to the contrary he *wants* to believe in Santa. I have been looking for a balanced approach. This seems to be it.

Thank you so very much.

By: Paolo Romano

Paolo Romano — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 18:24:17 +0000

We skirt the Santa Claus deal and do a “3-wiseman” visit. The presents are surprises, but come from Mom and Dad. Instead of some figment of their imagination getting the credit, we felt it better to know that we had worked and provided the gifts as the Wisemen presented gifts to the King of Kings.
But, they know that Santa Claus was once a real man, a saint, a man of God with a heart for children, and that some believe he still visits some people in the middle of the night.

By: Billy Coffey

Billy Coffey — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 03:09:07 +0000

That? That was incredible. Your daughter is blessed to have the two of you as parents.

And I still believe in Santa.