Welcoming Santa with G. K. Chesterton

[Della]

Read this very nice article about accepting Santa: catholicmom.com/2012/12/05/welcoming-santa-with-g-k-chesterton/.

I agree with GKC in every respect. A disclaimer for our more scrupulous folk, he doesn’t mean, of course, that the person of Santa Claus actually does the things he talks about–he’s speaking figuratively about gratitude and generosity. That we should acknowledge the gifts God has given us in the ordinary things as well as the extraordinary ones.

For me Santa has always represented the joy and giving spirit of the Christmas Season. Even before I learned about St. Nicholas, I understood that he was a servant of Our Lord and not Our Lord’s replacement. As Catholics we can certainly relate to that because we believe in the Communion of Saints and know that the pope is Christ’s servant and not the head of the Body of Christ–only Christ himself holds that title.

I guess what I’m saying is that the spirit of Santa was born of the first laughter of the Holy Infant who brought everlasting and abundant joy to the world through his life, death and resurrection. So, we celebrate with Santa in our house and find him a welcome guest in our festivities.

 

[RPRPsych]

Read this very nice article about accepting Santa: catholicmom.com/2012/12/05/welcoming-santa-with-g-k-chesterton/.

I agree with GKC in every respect. A disclaimer for our more scrupulous folk, he doesn’t mean, of course, that the person of Santa Claus actually does the things he talks about–he’s speaking figuratively about gratitude and generosity. That we should acknowledge the gifts God has given us in the ordinary things as well as the extraordinary ones.

For me Santa has always represented the joy and giving spirit of the Christmas Season. Even before I learned about St. Nicholas, I understood that he was a servant of Our Lord and not Our Lord’s replacement. As Catholics we can certainly relate to that because we believe in the Communion of Saints and know that the pope is Christ’s servant and not the head of the Body of Christ–only Christ himself holds that title.

I guess what I’m saying is that the spirit of Santa was born of the first laughter of the Holy Infant who brought everlasting and abundant joy to the world through his life, death and resurrection. So, we celebrate with Santa in our house and find him a welcome guest in our festivities.

Lovely article, which takes me back to my own childhood. Thanks for posting!

However, having said that… for the inevitable arrival of links to Professor Scrooge, Internet tough guy and “Philosopher”, who will now “prove” that Santa is sinful using quotes cribbed from St. Augustine.

 

[Razanir]

However, having said that… for the inevitable arrival of links to Professor Scrooge, Internet tough guy and “Philosopher”, who will now “prove” that Santa is sinful using quotes cribbed from St. Augustine.

Which is absurd, because Santa Claus is St. Nicholas of Myra

 

[RPRPsych]

Which is absurd, because Santa Claus is St. Nicholas of Myra

Well said.

I was just thinking of an earlier thread where more than one “proof” of the sinfulness of telling children about Santa was offered. My mother’s reaction was “Are you sure you’re not on a Puritan forum”?

But it takes all kinds to make a world, I guess. St. Nicholas, ora pro nobis!

 

[triumphguy]

Maybe this is one case were were could get general absolution from one of the priests on the site.

“For all those miserable parents lying and leading the children into deceit we ask forgiveness in advance.”

 

[Della]

Maybe this is one case were were could get general absolution from one of the priests on the site.

“For all those miserable parents lying and leading the children into deceit we ask forgiveness in advance.”

Please, as the OP I’m asking everyone–don’t respond. Let’s keep this a celebration of innocent Christmas traditions. Let the moderator deal with it. Okay? Thanks!

And Merry Christmas to us all, scrooges included.

 

[RPRPsych]

Please, as the OP I’m asking everyone–don’t respond. Let’s keep this a celebration of innocent Christmas traditions. Let the moderator deal with it. Okay? Thanks!

And Merry Christmas to us all, scrooges included.

Sorry about that.

Chesterton was a strong believer in the fact that fairy tales and legends could teach profound truths to children in a simple form. Apart from your article above, the chapter entitled “The Ethics of Elfland”, from Orthodoxy, is an excellent argument for the essentially Catholic lessons that can be drawn from a children’s story.

 

[triumphguy]

I love Santa and I love Christmas, and my kids either did, or do believe in Santa.
My oldest with down syndrome still believes, my 12 year old girl doesn’t but she helps to maintain the legend intact.

My youngest aged 7 came to the conclusion that it wasn’t Santa who gives the gifts, but God. But he dresses up as Santa to keep the mystery alive (though he didn’t use the word mystery). He refused to write a letter to Santa in class and addressed it to God instead.

How did he figure this out - cos his logic was that God gives the biggest gifts like “Life” and “Jesus” and so why wouldn’t He give the smaller ones too. But he dresses as Santa to have fun, and to maintain the mystery.

I was very proud of him

 

[RPRPsych]

My youngest aged 7 came to the conclusion that it wasn’t Santa who gives the gifts, but God. But he dresses up as Santa to keep the mystery alive (though he didn’t use the word mystery). He refused to write a letter to Santa in class and addressed it to God instead.

How did he figure this out - cos his logic was that God gives the biggest gifts like “Life” and “Jesus” and so why wouldn’t He give the smaller ones too. But he dresses as Santa to have fun, and to maintain the mystery.

I was very proud of him

Terrific example! Thanks for sharing this. I’m sure Chesterton must be grinning at this one.

 

[KP3243]

When I learned at how awesome Saint Nicholas was and that found that almost all of the rest of the Christian world celebrates Saint Nicholas Day as part of Advent, I was mad that Americans are so out of whack. It would be so much better spiritually if we especially as Catholics celebrated Saint Nicholas day like everyone else where kids got small little gifts as part of Advent honoring his charity and living out the gospel and on Christmas celebrate the birth of our Savior where people get gifts from their parents or family. I know Catholics who celebrate Advent and Christmas like this, and on Christmas give three gifts in honor of the three gifts Jesus got for his birth. Is this not better and more logical than Santa Claus who lives in the North Pole, has flying reindeer, elves, can read minds, who has a wife, and people end up lying to kids and wear themselves out shopping where they end up hating this time of year. We essentially bypass the whole meaning of the holiday. Christmas started off humble in a manger, we should try to keep it humble and give thanks for God loving us enough to send us a savior.

 

[kkollwitz]

Chestertonians may enjoy this Christmas post: platytera.blogspot.com/2012/12/christmas-epiphany.html

 

[Irish_Eyes_826]

When I learned at how awesome Saint Nicholas was and that found that almost all of the rest of the Christian world celebrates Saint Nicholas Day as part of Advent, I was mad that Americans are so out of whack. It would be so much better spiritually if we especially as Catholics celebrated Saint Nicholas day like everyone else where kids got small little gifts as part of Advent honoring his charity and living out the gospel and on Christmas celebrate the birth of our Savior where people get gifts from their parents or family.

In many parts of the US St. Nicholas Day is celebrated. Kids who leave their shoes outside get gold coins and Christmas pajamas from St. Nicholas. Many Catholic schools have mass on this day as well.

 

[Megan7]

Read this very nice article about accepting Santa: catholicmom.com/2012/12/05/welcoming-santa-with-g-k-chesterton/.

I agree with GKC in every respect. A disclaimer for our more scrupulous folk, he doesn’t mean, of course, that the person of Santa Claus actually does the things he talks about–he’s speaking figuratively about gratitude and generosity. That we should acknowledge the gifts God has given us in the ordinary things as well as the extraordinary ones.

For me Santa has always represented the joy and giving spirit of the Christmas Season. Even before I learned about St. Nicholas, I understood that he was a servant of Our Lord and not Our Lord’s replacement. As Catholics we can certainly relate to that because we believe in the Communion of Saints and know that the pope is Christ’s servant and not the head of the Body of Christ–only Christ himself holds that title.

I guess what I’m saying is that the spirit of Santa was born of the first laughter of the Holy Infant who brought everlasting and abundant joy to the world through his life, death and resurrection. So, we celebrate with Santa in our house and find him a welcome guest in our festivities.