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Brenda_V
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Correction - I meant to say part of what the Resurrection is about - New Life in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
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mamacita
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OOOOOH!! I like that ‘Mele Kalikimaka’ song! (does that make me a dork?
)DS (10), our oldest, has his ‘doubts’, think we had better tell him the ‘truth’ since he’s brought it up recently. Just hope he doesn’t ruin it for the rest of the kids. :**o
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Brenda_V
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If you do tell him do it in such a way as some of the others have. “The Saint Nicholas club” where he has to keep it a secret from the younger ones and he gets to help you with some of the mystery of it all.**
OOOOOH!! I like that ‘Mele Kalikimaka’ song! (does that make me a dork?
DS (10), our oldest, has his ‘doubts’, think we had better tell him the ‘truth’ since he’s brought it up recently. Just hope he doesn’t ruin it for the rest of the kids. :**o
I will join you in dorkdom if that song makes you a dork
.Brenda V.
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OutinChgoburbs
Guest
God of joy and cheer, we thank you for your servant,I guess my approach is to treat Santa (of the North pole with Rudolph and the other reindeer and elves) the same as a fictional character like plan to teach my children about the real St. Nicholas when they are older. Well, welcome to the Order of St. Nicholas! I’m enrolling you right now.Let me go find the big candy cane so I can “knight” you.
the good bishop Nicholas. In loving the poor, he showed us your kindness; in caring for your children, he revealed your love. Make us thoughtful without need of reward so that we, too, may be good followers of Jesus.
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Tenebrae
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Because I had such a very firm and literal belief in Santa as a child, and felt that I’d been “had” when I learned the truth, I didn’t want to put my own kids through this. When they were little we had a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy regarding Santa. I’d put the presents out after they’d gone to bed on Christmas Eve, and if they wanted to believe on Christmas morning that Santa had brought them, fine. When they asked about the reality of Santa Claus, I’d explain the there is a real St. Nicholas in Heaven, and that Santa was “pretend.”
I think there is way too much emphasis put on Santa Claus in our culture today. Look at how many movies aimed at children have the theme that, if Santa can’t come, there will be no Christmas.
I feel that, because people were duped as children into believing in Santa et. al., as adults they can become cynical, always believing that there is some deep dark secret behind everything. This is why people are willing to believe in crackpot conspiracy theories, or fall for the nonsense in The Da Vinci Code.
I think there is way too much emphasis put on Santa Claus in our culture today. Look at how many movies aimed at children have the theme that, if Santa can’t come, there will be no Christmas.
I feel that, because people were duped as children into believing in Santa et. al., as adults they can become cynical, always believing that there is some deep dark secret behind everything. This is why people are willing to believe in crackpot conspiracy theories, or fall for the nonsense in The Da Vinci Code.
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iluvmybabies
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My parents did the whole Santa thing as well…I didn’t find out until I was a teen, it was great! I was not dissatisfied nor hurt nor anything like that…It was a wonderful childhood innocent time and I enjoyed every moment of it… I am doing the same for my children and hope to GOD they are teens as well before they find out…I didn’t have the curiosity to sneak up on my parents in the middle of the night, I loved knowing that SANTA was going to show up in the morning and leave our gifts…
I wouldn’t trade those childhood memories for anything in the world! My siblings-boys-found out before they were even 9 years old, poor souls! I felt sorry for them that they wanted to grow up and not feel the greatness that comes from being innocent and having that innocence! It’s a great feeling! I asked them how their Christmas was after they found out and they never enjoyed it the same any more! And they told me they wished they would have never been curious until they were teens! My db found out when he was 9 or 10 he too was curious and snuck in on his parents, very sad…And he says he was fine with it, that he had suspicions anyhow so it worked out for him…
I wouldn’t trade those childhood memories for anything in the world! My siblings-boys-found out before they were even 9 years old, poor souls! I felt sorry for them that they wanted to grow up and not feel the greatness that comes from being innocent and having that innocence! It’s a great feeling! I asked them how their Christmas was after they found out and they never enjoyed it the same any more! And they told me they wished they would have never been curious until they were teens! My db found out when he was 9 or 10 he too was curious and snuck in on his parents, very sad…And he says he was fine with it, that he had suspicions anyhow so it worked out for him…
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CatholicSam
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Jesus didn’t grow up with Santa, the Easter Bunny, or the Tooth Fairy, and He turned out OK! 
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Gertabelle
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Trust me, children can grow into cynical adults in a myriad of ways. Take a poll of all the faithful Catholics you know, and you might be surprised to discover, if they grew up in this country, that they did believe in Santa. Still, somehow, we all grew up just fine.
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Teakafrog
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We start early with the story of the REAL St. Nicholas, and explain that Santa is just how some people tell the story of him, that it’s about giving to others. We don’t really do the Easter bunny, we get excited enough about the real meaning of Easter that it’s what our celebration is about. We don’t get adamant about never letting them see anything about Santa or the bunny, but we just let them know it’s a story.
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dove51
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If I ever have kids, I’m not doing the whole Santa/Easter Bunny thing. I will probably mention St. Nicholas and we might celebrate his day, but I will let them know he was a great follower of Jesus, and that is why we love him.
I don’t want my kids to be confused (like I was) about how the religious holidays and the secular celebrations connect.
I don’t want my kids to be confused (like I was) about how the religious holidays and the secular celebrations connect.
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OutinChgoburbs
Guest
After subtle investigation via observation and polling, I have determined that the two girls who live in this house are willing to help St. Nicholas on Saturday, as he is a saint, and he is old, and it must be hard to get around in vestments, and it is a lot colder here than it is in Turkey where he’s from, and he likes things delivered while it is still dark so it will be almost as much fun as fishing, and we can ding-dong-ditch on a couple of the doors esp. a particular cousin’s, and if for their labor they can have a big breakfast that includes Dunkin’ Donuts and hot chocolate.
However, they have chosen and prefer to keep Santa, the elves, the reindeer, and the regional offices employed this year. Those were, in fact, their exact words. I was also told they are too old to go to just three presents, and if Santa (looking straight at me) would do five and keep two of them small, they would certainly understand.
However, they have chosen and prefer to keep Santa, the elves, the reindeer, and the regional offices employed this year. Those were, in fact, their exact words. I was also told they are too old to go to just three presents, and if Santa (looking straight at me) would do five and keep two of them small, they would certainly understand.
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sanctamaria17
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So cute! Haha.
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pnewton
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What a poll! No way can answer when it is so obvious what the OP want people to answer. Yes, I tell my kids about Santa Claus. Christmas is a special and magical time through the eyes of a child. As far as Santa Claus being a reason for loss of faith, hogwash. Back when I was young all children I grew up with believed in Santa Claus and yet faith in God was stronger than today. I will stick with the one old-fashioned sentiment of the magic of Christmans, Santa and his elves.
In no way does it distract from the true meaning of Christmas for our family, the uniqueness of Advent, or the other seasonal feast days.
In no way does it distract from the true meaning of Christmas for our family, the uniqueness of Advent, or the other seasonal feast days.
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OutinChgoburbs
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Gertabelle
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Oh, it’s so cute to hear echoes of my own idealism of so many years ago. We weren’t going to do any of this stuff either. But then the GRANDMAs got totally over-excited, and before we knew it, our innocent little boy was completely on THEIR side. We could either go along for the ride, or crush our little boy’s fantasy.
So I told him all about St. Nicholas, and now he believes that Santa (St. Nicholas) brings presents to honor the baby Jesus. He’s even thinking about what present to give to St. Nicholas for Jesus’ birthday.
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mamacita
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**PNEWTON, I completely and wholeheartedly agree w/ you!
My 10 year old has had his ‘doubts’ for awhile now about Santa, etc. being real. So tonight when I said St. Nick is coming to fill the shoes he let me have it. “Mom, I know that he’s not real, he died a long time ago!..” and on and on and on.
So finally DH sat him down and told him the ‘truth’ about all of it. He was crushed. (but he got over it by the time we decided to watch the story of St. Nicholas tonight). I was hoping to wait a few more years but then again, I didn’t want to straight up tell him ‘no son, you’re wrong, there is a real Santa!’ or he would have been more mad at me 2,3,4,5 years down the road when he realizes I lied to his face at 10. But it’s still nice to let them ‘believe’ while they are little. DD (6 yo) won’t find out anytime soon, unless big brother decides to ruin it for her which I am pretty confident that he can keep a secret. **
My 10 year old has had his ‘doubts’ for awhile now about Santa, etc. being real. So tonight when I said St. Nick is coming to fill the shoes he let me have it. “Mom, I know that he’s not real, he died a long time ago!..” and on and on and on.
So finally DH sat him down and told him the ‘truth’ about all of it. He was crushed. (but he got over it by the time we decided to watch the story of St. Nicholas tonight). I was hoping to wait a few more years but then again, I didn’t want to straight up tell him ‘no son, you’re wrong, there is a real Santa!’ or he would have been more mad at me 2,3,4,5 years down the road when he realizes I lied to his face at 10. But it’s still nice to let them ‘believe’ while they are little. DD (6 yo) won’t find out anytime soon, unless big brother decides to ruin it for her which I am pretty confident that he can keep a secret. **
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RichT
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I am Santa, I am the Easter Bunny, I am the Toothe Fairy, and I am real. And considering our budget this year with the economic crisis and all, my kids are darn lucky there’s a Santa Clause.:christmastree1:
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Bob67
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This Is Exactly What I’m Worried About!
I’ve heard alot of family members say things like
“of course he’s Real”, “if you don’t believe he might not come!”
They seem to really stress the point that he is REAL no matter what, even when their kids had doubts they had to drive home the point that
"YES HE IS REAL!"
Isn’t this going to far?
How Far Do You Go With The Lie?**
I’m the kind of person who has trouble with
telling even a little white lie, u know what I mean?**
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LynneMarie
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Hey BoB 67,
I really thought your survey was neat by the way…I had children several years apart, and when my girl got so big ,i told her not to ruin it for her brothers ,and she never did…Santa, from what i have studied ,originated from St.Nicolas ,so your really not lying…What is Santa Bob? Someone bad? Does he hurt the kids? Does he want them happy ? Does he teach them to be bad or good, for goodness sake? …You know I took the bus home today and heard the f- word so much out of the teenagers mouth, it would make you cringe, then I cut through the park, more teenagers, the f word was flying, they don’t even try to hide it from an adult( that adult was me tonight Bob) and again I thought, what is wrong with a little innocents…When I was a kid, my parents always brought us to church, be it midnight mass or Christmas morn, same with Easter, got the shiny black shoes, new Easter dress , purse and bonnet complete, the Holidays were always fun and Santa and Easter bunny were fine…but the central theme was Christ birth and resurrection…not the gifts and candy, that just added to it…When my kids did finally ask about Santa and Easter bunny , I told them the truth, but i also said, i still like to believe in Santa as he was all about good, so why shouldn’t they. Till this day i go to Midnight Mass and doesn’t feel like Christmas till then, the secular sure doesn’t do it for me. Anyway, thanks for your interesting post here…Sis in Christ, LynneMarie
I really thought your survey was neat by the way…I had children several years apart, and when my girl got so big ,i told her not to ruin it for her brothers ,and she never did…Santa, from what i have studied ,originated from St.Nicolas ,so your really not lying…What is Santa Bob? Someone bad? Does he hurt the kids? Does he want them happy ? Does he teach them to be bad or good, for goodness sake? …You know I took the bus home today and heard the f- word so much out of the teenagers mouth, it would make you cringe, then I cut through the park, more teenagers, the f word was flying, they don’t even try to hide it from an adult( that adult was me tonight Bob) and again I thought, what is wrong with a little innocents…When I was a kid, my parents always brought us to church, be it midnight mass or Christmas morn, same with Easter, got the shiny black shoes, new Easter dress , purse and bonnet complete, the Holidays were always fun and Santa and Easter bunny were fine…but the central theme was Christ birth and resurrection…not the gifts and candy, that just added to it…When my kids did finally ask about Santa and Easter bunny , I told them the truth, but i also said, i still like to believe in Santa as he was all about good, so why shouldn’t they. Till this day i go to Midnight Mass and doesn’t feel like Christmas till then, the secular sure doesn’t do it for me. Anyway, thanks for your interesting post here…Sis in Christ, LynneMarie
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OutinChgoburbs
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Early this morning, Meg and I went out on her first St. Nick run.
She was a little clumsy, and a certain uncle was out shoveling his walk when we arrived to “Nick” his duplex. But he called her St. Nick, Jr. and accepted his goody bag.
She’d never been out so early in the morning that she could remember. There was a light dusting of snow on everything, just enough to sparkle in the dawn. We were the first persons to see some of the civic decorations put up overnight, huge lit snowflakes on light poles.
She was a little clumsy, and a certain uncle was out shoveling his walk when we arrived to “Nick” his duplex. But he called her St. Nick, Jr. and accepted his goody bag.
She’d never been out so early in the morning that she could remember. There was a light dusting of snow on everything, just enough to sparkle in the dawn. We were the first persons to see some of the civic decorations put up overnight, huge lit snowflakes on light poles.
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