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space_ghost
Guest
well, i congratulate you on that accomplishment… it is a biggie…Kinda hard to do now–they’re in their 30s
DaveBj
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The_Hidden_Life
Guest
I think it is a bit harsh to play up the Santa Claus stories (reindeer, North Pole, Elves, Mrs. Claus, etc.) and then expect your child not to be somewhat shocked or disappointed later.
I have never told my children that any of these types of stories were true. We have talked about the real St. Nicholas many times so they know he was a bishop a long time ago and we have the “Nicholas: the Boy who became Santa” video in our house so that cements things. But of course, they see on TV and hear from friends and well-meaning relatives all sorts of made-up things.
Our tack has been to say that St. Nicholas was so famous and so well-loved that people wanted to tell more and more stories about him. These stories are fun but untrue. Pretending we believe elves exist is fun but elves are not real as angels are real. Mrs. Claus and Rudolph and Frosty are all TV show characters, very different from good St. Nicholas and while our oldest (age 7) is now probing the limits of what is true and what isn’t, she is satisfied to believe that St. Nicholas is in heaven and mysterious heavenly helpers bring stocking gifts. Eventually she will get the opportunity to become one of St. Nicholas’s helpers herself.
If something gets really tricky though and I don’t know quite what to say, I say, “what do you think?” and she is usually just happy to tell me what she believes and leave it at that.
This is more of a problem for me as a Religious Ed. teacher because most of the kids in my first grade class have been told nothing of St. Nicholas and believe whole-heartedly every story they see on TV about Santa Claus, with the adults egging them on of course! I tell them about who St. Nicholas was, how Christmas gift-giving is related to him and leave the rest of it to the parents to sort out. I tell them, “you’ll have to ask your parents which of the other stories are true and which aren’t.” Hopefully some of those parents are catechized well enough to know that St. Nicholas is at least a real saint!
I have never told my children that any of these types of stories were true. We have talked about the real St. Nicholas many times so they know he was a bishop a long time ago and we have the “Nicholas: the Boy who became Santa” video in our house so that cements things. But of course, they see on TV and hear from friends and well-meaning relatives all sorts of made-up things.
Our tack has been to say that St. Nicholas was so famous and so well-loved that people wanted to tell more and more stories about him. These stories are fun but untrue. Pretending we believe elves exist is fun but elves are not real as angels are real. Mrs. Claus and Rudolph and Frosty are all TV show characters, very different from good St. Nicholas and while our oldest (age 7) is now probing the limits of what is true and what isn’t, she is satisfied to believe that St. Nicholas is in heaven and mysterious heavenly helpers bring stocking gifts. Eventually she will get the opportunity to become one of St. Nicholas’s helpers herself.
If something gets really tricky though and I don’t know quite what to say, I say, “what do you think?” and she is usually just happy to tell me what she believes and leave it at that.
This is more of a problem for me as a Religious Ed. teacher because most of the kids in my first grade class have been told nothing of St. Nicholas and believe whole-heartedly every story they see on TV about Santa Claus, with the adults egging them on of course! I tell them about who St. Nicholas was, how Christmas gift-giving is related to him and leave the rest of it to the parents to sort out. I tell them, “you’ll have to ask your parents which of the other stories are true and which aren’t.” Hopefully some of those parents are catechized well enough to know that St. Nicholas is at least a real saint!
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mikworld
Guest
This was actually a concern that I thought about a year ago. If we are telling kids to put their faith in Santa, and the kids are told that Santa is not real, then what are we saying about faith to children?
Space Ghost,
I love the way you post dude. You show a lot of respect for the community on these boards, and I would just like to say thanks! Keep up the happy posting!
God Bless,
Justin
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Scott_Lafrance
Guest
Nicholas, the Boy Who Would Become Santa. That’s it, that’s the movie title I have been trying to think of. We watch it every year with my 4 year old son so he knows the truth about the holiday season. If you have young children, I strongly recommend this movie.
The Hidden Life:
The Hidden Life:
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Rivera
Guest
Thanks, all, I appreciate your thoughts. I ordered the CCC St Nicholas video the other day…it looks really good. Can’t wait to watch it myself.
peace,
n
peace,
n
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cove
Guest
I was more disillusioned by the fact that December 25th is not the actual “birthday” of Jesus but a date that coincides with an old pagan tradition then I was in learning that Santa Claus was not real.
Although I do like that the pagan holiday the festival of the “sun” became the Christian observance and celebration in honor of the “son”.
btw-- I think the myth of Santa Claus is great and a fun and joyful part of childhood. I was not hurt by “believing” and I don’t feel my children have been either. As long as we as Christian parents emphasis to our children the “real” reason for the season.
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Tom_of_Assisi
Guest
Dec. 25th is the birthday of Jesus.
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cove
Guest
Tom of Assisi:
Of course! December 25th has been the birthday of Jesus for as long as I can remember. And Santa delivers presents to all the good children all over the world in his sleigh pulled by flying reindeer. I hope your being good, Tom.Dec. 25th is the birthday of Jesus.
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