Priest says there's no Santa during Epiphany Mass!

[PaulinVA]

Aunt and Uncle send cash for the gift. So I go to the store and buy the toy my child will like, wrap it, and say this is from Aunt and Uncle. Seriously… you think that is a LIE?

No, read the original post I was answering. If grandma and grandpa send money and I buy presents with it, it is appropriate to say the gifts are from Grandma and Grandpa, not Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt and Uncle.

*If the grandparents send a check and the parents use that to choose and buy presents and say, “Here, honey, this is from Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Jerry, and Aunt Kate,” is that a lie?
*

 

[whatevergirl]

Every year there are a few gifts to my children, I had no idea about, from Santa. And every year I get a gift or 2 from Santa, somehow, I guess I was on his good list. I smile, and I don’t question. And whats the harm?

Yes you’re right, this thread has become too anal. Next thing we’ll have to prove, like that classic Christmas movie, that Santa either exists or not.

I don’t see the harm. But, I’m glad I’m done with the fable.

I think that it can be said that the spirit of Christmas, is what Santa is all about…but sadly, over the past say 40 years–Christmas has largely become about Santa, on a more commercialized scale. I think that there is no denying, that when we tell our kids about Santa…something magical even happens to us, as adults. I admit that…when we wrote the Santa note, and ate the cookie, making it look like Santa had really come…there was something beautifully nostalgic about it all. But, looking back, I didn’t like that eventually, my kids would know the truth…whether from friends, or from us…they would find out.

My husband gets mad when I get anal over the whole Santa thing…because he said…the kids figured out soon enough Sharon, that Mickey Mouse, etc…are not real, either. So, should we stop going to Disney? He has a point.

It’s definitely a thread that can go on for days…maybe years…if we let it.

 

[whatevergirl]

Aunt and Uncle send a check for the gift. I go to the store and buy the toy my child will like, wrap it, and say this is from Aunt and Uncle. Seriously… you think that is a LIE?

He is saying that you take the money from Grandma and Grandpa, and instead of buying gifts from them…you buy gifts, and say they are from Aunt Sally, etc…

 

[yellowbird]

No, read the original post I was answering. If grandma and grandpa send money and I buy presents with it, it is appropriate to say the gifts are from Grandma and Grandpa, not Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt and Uncle.

*If the grandparents send a check and the parents use that to choose and buy presents and say, “Here, honey, this is from Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Jerry, and Aunt Kate,” is that a lie?
*

Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t understand that.

 

[Light_Seeker]

It’s definitely a thread that can go on for days…maybe years…if we let it.

Absolutely! had no idea that it would attract so many posts & differing, valid opinions!

We’ll have to change this forum name from Catholic Answers to Santa Apologetics!

 

[SMHW]

Aunt and Uncle send a check for the gift. I go to the store and buy the toy my child will like, wrap it, and say this is from Aunt and Uncle. Seriously… you think that is a LIE?

I think the issue is whether a check sent by a single person can be said to be from a whole household that includes older or adult children of the check writer as in my example.

That is so not the same. Would you say, “Here’s this gift’s from God”? Of course not. Then, why say it’s from Santa Claus?

And, yes, in your example, it’s a lie if Uncle Jerry and Aunt Kate didn’t send anything themselves.

It’s true that I have never given my child a gift with “God” written in on the “from” tag. But it’s not a bad idea. That’s where the gifts are really coming from. I think in some cultures gifts come from the Christ child or the Magi rather than St. Nicholas.

 

[yellowbird]

I think in some cultures gifts come from the Christ child or the Magi rather than St. Nicholas.

See, and I think that is interesting and something I would not choose to do because Santa is obviously make-believe - whereas the Christ Child and the actual St. Nicholas - both are true. I wouldn’t want to “mix” the religious aspect of Christmas with the make-believe Santa. I am totally able to seperate the two, as are my children. And really, although I am defending Santa - it’s not THAT big of a deal. The little kids wake up on Christmas Day to find one present under the tree from Santa, the cookies gone, and the stockings filled. That’s it. Everything leading up to Christmas - including Advent is all about Christ. We sing Happy Birthday to Jesus… go to mass etc. Santa is just a little something to add to the fun. Sorta like spiked eggnog.

 

[Jennifer_J]

Pro-Santa vs. Con-Santa?

Thanks for getting my silliness maybe we’re just Santa-deniers!

 

[SMHW]

See, and I think that is interesting and something I would not choose to do because Santa is obviously make-believe - whereas the Christ Child and the actual St. Nicholas - both are true. I wouldn’t want to “mix” the religious aspect of Christmas with the make-believe Santa. I am totally able to seperate the two, as are my children. And really, although I am defending Santa - it’s not THAT big of a deal. The little kids wake up on Christmas Day to find one present under the tree from Santa, the cookies gone, and the stockings filled. That’s it. Everything leading up to Christmas - including Advent is all about Christ. We sing Happy Birthday to Jesus… go to mass etc. Santa is just a little something to add to the fun. Sorta like spiked eggnog.

So you are saying “Santa Claus” should be considered a different person from St. Nicholas?

 

[Jennifer_J]

And how about kids who don’t get anything for Christmas, who are otherwise ‘good?’ I can’t help but think how horrible they must feel when ‘Santa’ doesn’t visit their houses. Again, not trying to argue, but toys for tots can only do so much–they can’t solve every little boy’s and girl’s problems out there.

This is one BIG reason we don’t do Santa. I couldn’t reconcile the Giving Tree, Toys for Tots, Salvation Army Pots–“Honey, we’re buying gifts/giving money for those who don’t have money to buy presents for their family”…“But won’t Santa bring them presents, haven’t they been good?”…ouch What’s the answer? Santa doesn’t bring stuff to poor people? Santa is mean? You can’t reconcile it and kids don’t stop asking (at least mine don’t…why? why? why?).

 

[Jennifer_J]

Aren’t you a little rude with your accusations? Just beause someone chooses to include Santa in the festivities, doesn’t for a second mean he is our FOCUS.

I seriously doubt there are many posters at CATHOLIC answers who FOCUS on Santa.

I’ll assume you missed the smiley and wink?

 

[Light_Seeker]

This is one BIG reason we don’t do Santa. I couldn’t reconcile the Giving Tree, Toys for Tots, Salvation Army Pots–“Honey, we’re buying gifts/giving money for those who don’t have money to buy presents for their family”…“But won’t Santa bring them presents, haven’t they been good?”…ouch What’s the answer? Santa doesn’t bring stuff to poor people? Santa is mean? You can’t reconcile it and kids don’t stop asking (at least mine don’t…why? why? why?).

We’ve had absolutely no problem, because not every present is from Santa. My youngest went with me to help pick out several bikes for a family we anonymously adopted in a parish program. She learned that that family was having difficulties, and its our job to help them out.

 

[yellowbird]

So you are saying “Santa Claus” should be considered a different person from St. Nicholas?

I guess I never really thought about it… but yeah, I suppose. I mean, I don’t care how anyone else tells it… but I’m a convert so we’ve done Santa way longer than St. Nicholas… didn’t even know of him in my former days My older kids understand the origins of the Santa story (St. Nicholas) but the little ones (6 and under) just think of the guy at the North Pole with the reindeer. Someday when they find out he isn’t real, I’ll explain who he is based on in greater detail.

 

[Jennifer_J]

We’ve had absolutely no problem, because not every present is from Santa. My youngest went with me to help pick out several bikes for a family we anonymously adopted in a parish program. She learned that that family was having difficulties, and its our job to help them out.

Yes, but Santa brings presents…why isn’t he bringing them presents? Why do we have to do it? He brings them to all the good boys and girls all over the world, why not the poor? Don’t you see a problem with this at all? Because my children sure did!

 

[Light_Seeker]

We’ve had absolutely no problem, because not every present is from Santa. My youngest went with me to help pick out several bikes for a family we anonymously adopted in a parish program. She learned that that family was having difficulties, and its our job to help them out.

… oh, forgot to say that we were the proudest parents in Mass the next day. There was a second collection by our KofC to help provide gifts for the hurricane Ike victims, close to our parish. She reached in her small purse & put her entire allowance in the basket!

 

[yellowbird]

… oh, forgot to say that we were the proudest parents in Mass the next day. There was a second collection by our KofC to help provide gifts for the hurricane Ike victims, close to our parish. She reached in her small purse & put her entire allowance in the basket!

So sweet!

Sometimes my kids will suprise me like that. Isn’t it the greatest feeling!!! Like yea! They get it!

 

[juicekman]

OK, not calling anyone a liar here. I am just asking an objective question and I am looking for an objective answer. If your child opens a present on Christmas morning that is really from YOU and your child asks, “Is this present from Santa?” And you answer “Yes, it is from Santa.”

Is this or is it not a lie???

 

[Light_Seeker]

Yes, but Santa brings presents…why isn’t he bringing them presents?

Good question!

And thats exactly why we do not focus, as some have accused, on Santa at Christmas. Actually we have more nativity scenes as decoration than Santa themes. We also make a big deal on St Nicholas, and celebrate his feast. The tree topper is the star of Bethleham, and we make a big deal of lighting it. We have the wise men journey thruout the house all December to arrive at the manger, where Christmas eve baby Jesus is put in the crib. And the majority of presents under the tree are from Mom, Dad, older siblings and family members, and just a few from Santa. See… Santa is not the focus. But we also have a family tradition of reading the Night before Christmas … I love to see the sugarplums dance in their heads

I can understand how if everything, or the majority was from Santa, that could be an issue.

 

[yellowbird]

OK, not calling anyone a liar here. I am just asking an objective question and I am looking for an objective answer. If your child opens a present on Christmas morning that is really from YOU and your child asks, “Is this present from Santa?” And you answer “Yes, it is from Santa.”

Is this or is it not a lie???

I suppose YOU would insist it is? If so, then I lie to my little kids all the time:

You are the MOST beautiful princess in the WHOLE world! (to my 3 year old as she twirls in princess dress)
You are the smartest boy! (to her brother when he learned to tie his shoes)
I love you up to the moon and back. (have no idea how far that even is? And I no doubt love them more than that?)
There aren’t any sharks in that water! I promise you’ll be FINE! ****(To my 8 year old who was convinced she would get eaten alive by a shark in the Gulf of Mexico)
**Grandpa died and went to heaven **(never stepped foot in a church … no idea where he actually went but small children miss him terribly.)
**Where do babies come from? They come from God. How do they get in there? He puts them there. **
EAT your dinner… the starving children in Africa would love to have it! (Actually I’m not sure they’d like creamed corn any more than my kids do?)
Put your hat on… do you WANT to catch a cold? (actually I think the wearing or non-wearing of garments have nothing to do with it)
If you are nice to others, they will be nice to you. (Sooooo not always the case)
**Turn off the water… save some for the fish! **(what fish?)
Priests are holy men of God. (Sadly, not always)
**And to my sobbing 5 year old… I’m so scared Mommy… what if I get CANCER too? (her teacher had cancer) Don’t be silly… you will NOT get cancer… you do NOT need to worry about cancer. **(from my lips to God’s ears?)

And on and on… yep, that’s me… a great big lyin’ old mom.

 

[SMHW]

OK, not calling anyone a liar here. I am just asking an objective question and I am looking for an objective answer. If your child opens a present on Christmas morning that is really from YOU and your child asks, “Is this present from Santa?” And you answer “Yes, it is from Santa.”

Is this or is it not a lie???

Why would the child ask? I suppose maybe they can’t read the tags yet.

I just don’t see why it is a lie to give a gift on behalf of another. If a parent gets a bonus at work and buys a gift and then tells the child, “This is a gift from XYZ company,” I think that is perfectly fine even though nobody at XYX company may even know the child’s name and certainly did not select the gift. If a parent gives a gift to a child because they feel blessed by God and the influence of St Nicholas then why not say the gift is from Sinter Klaus?