Comments on: On Christmas and Standing Firm

By: Ann Voskamp@Holy Experience

Ann Voskamp@Holy Experience — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 03:00:26 +0000

Transparent, powerful writing…
Thank you, Arianne…. putting on the armor with you…

By: A Simple Country Girl

A Simple Country Girl — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 19:45:42 +0000

Our family also took these steps when our son was three. It was led by our little one–his questions and seeking for Truth. He was standing at his bookcase holding a book filled over with Santa hoopla and he turned and asked. I answered. I apologized for the couple years of lying. He forgave. I grew. He gathered up any and every Santa item and tossed it in the garbage!

When we made public our decision a couple of years ago, we got attacked by some family (Christian) members for being too different. Hello! And this year, as we opt out of gift-giving, except to charities, we are being attacked in a spiritual battle. And my mom, the one who raised us with Santa, was the one who embraced our decision the most. She then apologized for lying to me as a kid and for not knowing how to change.

Now, having received the greatest gift ever given to mankind seven years ago, my husband, our son, me, and at least one grandma rejoice in His Babe and kneel low with humble hearts.

Your story shines His love and reaffirms our choices. Standing shoulder to shoulder, heart to heart, and soul to soul with you. Thank you…

By: uberVU - social comments

uberVU - social comments — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 02:42:30 +0000

Social comments and analytics for this post…

This post was mentioned on Twitter by amberrunsamuck: On Christmas and Standing Firm – http://bit.ly/6HDlk7 an encouraging post from @ToThink for @ChristmasChange…

By: Muthering Heights

Muthering Heights — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 02:40:10 +0000

Awesome, Ari. Just awesome!!

By: Kari Kounkel

Kari Kounkel — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 22:28:24 +0000

I’ve never been a big “Santa” parent. And Christmases at our house would never be featured in any holiday movie as an example of American commercialism at it’s best. We’re terrible consumers according to that model. (Thanks Be!)

I found myself doing the same thing you did — encouraging the wonder of the season the same way my parents did. Santa visited every year.

When our second son was eight, he asked me directly whether I believed in Santa. Distracted, I answered as I always had: “I believe there’s magic in the world and we need to pause sometimes to experience it.” He pushed though. Finally, I used my second stock response to their questions: “Why are you wondering?” (Trust me, that question has saved hundereds of hours of explaining way more than they needed to know about many, many topics.)

He pushed more. “Is there a jolly man in a red suit who brings presents to my house?” Of course there’s not.

He was crushed. He cried. He yelled at me.

“You LIED to me.”

“I never lied to you, Jakob.”

It lasted for hours — nay, days.

Finally, on a bright sunny Sunday in January on the way to Sunday service, my grieving son spat at me, “If you lied about Santa, how do I know you didn’t lie about heaven!”

Oh for the ability to hit REDO and start over with that one!

I’m glad you found a way, difficult as it may have felt in the moment, to give your babies a different story!

And. I never lied about Santa.

By: Arianne

Arianne — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 16:31:20 +0000

Megan — thank you for the kind words, I know exactly what you mean. Even up to the moment of (in fact even DURING) that conversation with our kids I had fears and doubts. It feels so silly now! I think about my doubts and can only laugh that I even entertained those lies that had been so quietly but deliberately placed in my mind.

Nikki — What a sweet story, I love the idea of the boys having their own manger…they used to have one but I know now that I didn’t put enough emphasis on the meaning of it and it never became important or special to them (and the set was broken, eventually). Thanks for finding me here.

Seth — I’m finding as I winnow (or rather allow God to winnow) myself, that the more comfort I find in something the quicker I am to check and evaluate if that’s really the place I’m meant to be. It blesses me to encourage believers (and make them uncomfortable in the process, the good kind) and I pray to always have that fire under me, urging me on as well — even when it burns.

By: Adventures In Babywearing

Adventures In Babywearing — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 13:55:51 +0000

Arianne, this is incredible.

Gives me much to think about.

Steph

By: Seth

Seth — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 12:20:49 +0000

This post really hits home. I am evaluating small attacks too, some I’ve allowed, some beyond my control. And I think that as I evaluate return, perhaps there are others who would like me to just stay where I am. There are forces that would like me to be stagnant.

You have prepared my heart for worship this morning. Thank you.

By: Corinne

Corinne — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 00:37:17 +0000

I love this – and needed to hear it today, and tomorrow, and every day until Christmas.

By: Nikki Cooper

Nikki Cooper — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 21:24:22 +0000

Wow great post. We have always been upfront about santa with Mason, who is 5. My husband’s parents were huge into making the magic when he was growing up. When he was 6 and finally found out that it was all made up he was crushed. He recalls even today the feelings he had felt, how hurt, betrayed and lied to. He couldn’t believe the 2 most important people in his life, who were suppose to protect him, had lied to him. Pretty deep for a 6 year old. But it effected him enough that he vowed to never do the same. Not your usual reaction from a child I suppose. I was raised catholic and knew that since we weren’t going to make christmas about santa, that it was super improtant to me to make christmas about something more than just gifts. Mas and I have our own very dear converstaions about jesus, his hopes and dreams and all his did for us. What christmas really means, and that santa is only a symbol of it but the true meaning of it all lies in the beautiful story of jesus. He knows that some children believe in the magic of santa and fully understands the effects of telling them otherwise. He loves setting up his manger in his room and I love hearing him retell the story each year, each year it becomes more creative and meaningful, its a beautiful thing.