Santa Claus and Jesus

[StrawberryShortcake2]

When parents allow their chilren believe in Santa Claus, do you think it takes focus off of Jesus and encourage them to be materialistic when they get older?

[BAFRIEND]

n o .

[Hentenza]

When parents allow their chilren believe in Santa Claus, do you think it takes focus off of Jesus and encourage them to be materialistic when they get older?

Hi!

I don't think so unless the main emphasis is on the current materialistic trend. We have always presented Santa as St. Nick to our children but made Jesus the center of the celebration by reading bible passages and stories of Jesus birth. Remember, it is CHRISTmas not christmas.;):wave:

[JPPT1974]

As kids, you are supposed to have
Fun in that but as adults
Remember, you are supposed to
Teach the love of Christ as the
First and foremost important thing
Of Christmas!

[Colabomb]

Oh no, here we go.

[Criada]

My youngest believe in fairies, unicorns, gold at the end of the rainbow, and many of the other things that make childhood magical.... so I don't think Santa is going to be a problem.
My elder two, who have outgrown such beliefs, now have a strong faith and are caring and generous, despite their earlier belief in fantasy figures.

So, no, I don't think that it is a problem. :)

[daveleau]

I grew up believing in Santa and became an adult less interested in materialism (the car in my pic has been a life-long dream and was paid for in cash after much material sacrifice and hard work).

On the flipside, three cousins from one family that are all around my age grew up with parents that grounded them in reality and disallowed any fanciful ideas like Santa. They have all pulled away from God, and have not returned (yet...we are still praying).

This is an extreme but real example. This is not intended to say X will happen if you do Y. You know your children, and what is best for them. But, the strict lifestyle my cousins grew up under backfired, and I illustrate that to show only that it is not a foolproof way to raise your children.

Whether you let your children indulge in the fantasy of Santa is up to you. The key is to ensure they know Christ.

In Him,
Dave

[edb19]

you're only young once - youth and innocence entails a lot - including believing in the magical

a lot more than Santa Claus contributes to our materialistic world view (which is certainly nothing new - consider the rich young ruler)

[StrawberryShortcake2]

I grew up believing in Santa and became an adult less interested in materialism (the car in my pic has been a life-long dream and was paid for in cash after much material sacrifice and hard work).

On the flipside, three cousins from one family that are all around my age grew up with parents that grounded them in reality and disallowed any fanciful ideas like Santa. They have all pulled away from God, and have not returned (yet...we are still praying).

This is an extreme but real example. This is not intended to say X will happen if you do Y. You know your children, and what is best for them. But, the strict lifestyle my cousins grew up under backfired, and I illustrate that to show only that it is not a foolproof way to raise your children.

Whether you let your children indulge in the fantasy of Santa is up to you. The key is to ensure they know Christ.

In Him,
Dave

Good point. When I was younger, I knew a set of cousins from a family who came from a strict Christian household. They did not do the Santa thing, including the Easter bunny. I do know one of my cousins from that family doesn't have a close relationship with God and abandoned her daughter because she doesn't want to face reality.

[TexasSky]

When parents allow their chilren believe in Santa Claus, do you think it takes focus off of Jesus and encourage them to be materialistic when they get older?
Didn't happen with my children.
Didn't happen with me or my sister either.

In fact, my children tend, now, to view "Santa" as the emotional-spirit of giving in a Christ like manner. Giving without asking in return.

[StrawberryShortcake2]

Didn't happen with my children.
Didn't happen with me or my sister either.

In fact, my children tend, now, to view "Santa" as the emotional-spirit of giving in a Christ like manner. Giving without asking in return.
I didn't say it happens to every family that is raised in a strict Chrisitan household.