Priest says there's no Santa during Epiphany Mass!

[yellowbird]

For all of the No-Santa because it’s lying, I’m curious if you tell your children that December 25th is Jesus’ birthday? Because isn’t that lie? We don’t actually know His birthdate and while Dec. 25th is the day it’s celebrated, I’m wondering if you tell all that to your young children?

 

[juicekman]

For all of the No-Santa because it’s lying, I’m curious if you tell your children that December 25th is Jesus’ birthday? Because isn’t that lie? We don’t actually know His birthdate and while Dec. 25th is the day it’s celebrated, I’m wondering if you tell all that to your young children?

You tell your children the truth. You tell them that December 25th is the day that we CELEBRATE the birth of Jesus even though we don’t know the exact date of his birth.

I agree that children need to learn about the world in due time like the birds and bees, crime, sickness, and that the world is full of liars and thieves. The world has enough lies in it. I just do not see how adding one more “little” lie about Santa Claus helps the situation.

 

[Jennifer_J]

For all of the No-Santa because it’s lying, I’m curious if you tell your children that December 25th is Jesus’ birthday? Because isn’t that lie? We don’t actually know His birthdate and while Dec. 25th is the day it’s celebrated, I’m wondering if you tell all that to your young children?

Stop calling those of us who choose not to FOCUS on Santa, names. Thanks…(or do I get to call you Santa-idolators? )

I tell my children that Dec 25 is the day that the Church decided we celebrate the birth of Christ. Yes, we tell them that from the time they are little. It’s not a secret or anything. We’re pretty consistant.

 

[sanctamaria17]

I would also say that Dec. 25 is the day the Church chose. They also know that Easter changes every year. Or at least they can figure it out when they can read a calendar.

And please respect that those of us who don’t like the Santa myth do so for valid reasons. We also understand that those who do also do so for valid reasons.

 

[samcarter14]

For all of the No-Santa because it’s lying, I’m curious if you tell your children that December 25th is Jesus’ birthday? Because isn’t that lie? We don’t actually know His birthdate and while Dec. 25th is the day it’s celebrated, I’m wondering if you tell all that to your young children?

Nope, I do tell my kids from the get-go that Christmas is the day the Church celebrates Jesus’ birthday. I have further refined my explanation to my oldest (8) that we do not know exactly when Jesus was born, but December 25th is the day the Church chose for that celebration. Just like we don’t know exactly when the Baptism of the Lord was, et cetera.

I don’t think it’s hard to explain it. We have some elderly neighbors who don’t know their exact date of birth, because they were born at home and didn’t get birth certificates, so they just “picked a day”.

 

[OutinChgoburbs]

Stop calling those of us who choose not to FOCUS on Santa, names. Thanks…(or do I get to call you Santa-idolators? )

Pro-Santa vs. Con-Santa?

 

[Light_Seeker]

We have some elderly neighbors who don’t know their exact date of birth, because they were born at home and didn’t get birth certificates, so they just “picked a day”.

Father-in-law was like this. When he immigrated from Russia in the 40’s, he had to list his birthdate, so he chose Dec. 25th.

Said if its good enough for the Lord, its good enough for me.

 

[yellowbird]

Stop calling those of us who choose not to FOCUS on Santa, names. Thanks…(or do I get to call you Santa-idolators? )
:

I think the term that was used for those who celebrate with Santa is “liars.”

 

[yellowbird]

Stop calling those of us who choose not to FOCUS on Santa, names. Thanks…(or do I get to call you Santa-idolators? )

:

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.

 

[sanctamaria17]

I don’t think anyone is saying that those who let their kids believe in Santa are liars or that they only focus on Santa. I think Jennifer was saying that in terms of gift-giving, she doesn’t think Santa needs any focus nor does she feel the need to tell her kids that Santa gave them their presents when it was really she and her husband who gave them.

Geez, I knew people got defensive over other aspects of parenting (I know we’re not even allowed to talk about vaccines or circumcision on the forums anymore), had NO IDEA that believing/not believing in Santa was such a big deal. Can this be like everything else and as long as parents aren’t causing serious harm to their children, we let people parent as they see fit? Can we also agree that the priest should not say anything either for or against Santa when speaking at Mass when Mass is a time to focus on Christ?

Wow.

 

[basilisk]

I don’t think anyone is saying that those who let their kids believe in Santa are liars

Actually, several people did say that directly… including you:

I never believed in Santa as a child and spent a lot of time wondering why all these people close to me were telling me lies

I don’t believe in lying to children about Santa

I did feel lied to when I found out Santa wasn’t real. And I felt tricked.

---

I have no problem with magic and make believe but telling my kids that someone sneaks into our house and leaves things for them sounds creepy to me and too much like an outright lie than a beautiful fable.

It’s not a mortal sin, but a lie is a lie…I don’t think a priest has the obligation to perpetuate a lie, esp when his point was that the story of Santa Claus detracts from the story of the Epiphany.

Why do we feel a need in this culture to feed fantasy to our children? To lie to them?

“Here, honey, here’s a present from Santa” is an outright lie.

I really do not understand the whole lying to your child thing. It all ends up the same. They find out that their parents are liars and some children get truly heart broken. Why would a good Catholic parent want to lie to their children? What good does it do? Children young enough to believe in Santa Claus are ALREADY filled with so much joy from the Christmas season. Why add a lie on top of it???

Gee. Wonder why those of us who do Santa are feeling a little defensive?

 

[whatevergirl]

I don’t think the priest should have delivered his message in such a blunt way. But, I get his point.

As far as Santa goes…I am glad that my kids do not believe in him. They sort of gathered on their own that he was make believe, and then finally asked dh and me the ‘truth’ one day. We always taught that there is real saint of hope and generosity, known as St Nick, but that over the years, he grew into a more commercialized sentiment for many. I know it sounds bad that I’m glad Santa is out of the picture, but I didn’t like carrying on the tale. I never viewed it as lying, although, I suppose technically it was lying. But, I know that I never liked it, and felt it was too much work for dh and me to hide everything, keep everything a secret, buy different wrapping paper…bla bla. I love Christmas…I love Advent. And I don’t begrudge anyone telling their kids that Santa exists…I’m just glad I don’t have to carry it on anymore!

My dh gets mad at me when I say this.

 

[sanctamaria17]

I said I felt lied to, I wasn’t accusing anyone of anything and to ME, it SEEMS like a lie.

I never accused anyone of lying or told them that they were wrong. I just said based on MY experience with Santa, I would not raise MY kids to believe in Santa. However, I also said that anyone who liked Santa should do what they feel is right for THEIR kids.

 

[Light_Seeker]

I don’t think anyone is saying that those who let their kids believe in Santa are liars or that they only focus on Santa…

As the OP, I’ve twice been accused of lying to my child in this thread. And twice responded that I did not lie, but told the truth.

 

[whatevergirl]

Not to get sidetracked…but when you think about it–why do we parents make such a big deal about Santa? Why is that necessary for Christmas to be special to a child? I mean…telling my kids that a fat man, in a red suit…who travels through the world by reindeer at warped speed…to make sure every ‘good boy and girl’ has a present…honestly, what is the point of it? My kids said that they enjoyed believing in Santa…maybe it’s just a good way for parents to get their kids to go to bed early on Christmas Eve without a fuss.

I’m not trying to argue. We did the Santa thing. But looking back…suppose we didn’t? I don’t know…just food for thought.

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.

 

[whatevergirl]

As the OP, I’ve twice been accused of lying to my child in this thread. And twice responded that I did not lie, but told the truth.

There is no one though, delivering gifts to your kids, other than you, and relatives. So, if you say Santa does/did it…did you say you are Santa?

This thread has become way too anal. hahahaha

 

[yellowbird]

I said I felt lied to, I wasn’t accusing anyone of anything and to ME, it SEEMS like a lie.

I never accused anyone of lying or told them that they were wrong. I just said based on MY experience with Santa, I would not raise MY kids to believe in Santa. However, I also said that anyone who liked Santa should do what they feel is right for THEIR kids.

Many said it was a lying. Go back through the thread… it’s on almost every “I don’t celeberate Santa because…” post. One person said it was … was was the word? “Antithical to the Christian faith.” Obviously people who chose to lie are liars.

Which is why I am amused that Jennifer objected to the term “no-Santas” … claiming we were name calling.

Whatever. I’m so over this. Don’t include Santa in your celebration if you don’t want to. Nobody has suggested that your child will suffer because of it… unlike those who think we who “do” Santa will have kids who are heartbroken and have trust issues because as it turns out… there IS no fat man on the sled being pulled by reindeer.

As I have stated MANY times… to each his own. I just would ask that people quit insisting I am lying to my children. (This isn’t directed at you Sanctamaria… just posters in general.)

 

[PaulinVA]

Just curious.

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?

I’m guessing some people will say, “yes,” and others will say, “no.” I can accept either opinion but I will say that it is not so different than parents using the resources given to them by God to give presents on behalf of St. Nicholas/Santa Claus.

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.

 

[Light_Seeker]

There is no one though, delivering gifts to your kids, other than you, and relatives. So, if you say Santa does/did it…did you say you are Santa?

This thread has become way too anal. hahahaha

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.

 

[yellowbird]

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.

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?