Christmas Question.....

I was hoping to get everyone's advice on this....I have 3 children. They are 7, 2, and 1. My husband and I were recently baptized (August) and want to raise our children in the church. Well, I did not grow up going to church and I love being there. Something in me decided that it was time to tell our 7 year old that there is no Santa Claus. I was thinking that it be better he heard it from me as opposed to children in school. Well, my husband and I then decided that if that went well then we were not going to let the two younger ones believe in Santa. Well, my in-laws have told me that we are stealing their childhood. It tore me up to hear someone say that when I believe that telling them the truth and not letting them believe in a fantasy is maybe the better way to go. What does everyone think? I know it is hard to talk politics and religion...I just want some ideas. Thanks for any input! Jodie

My question for you is this: Was your decision based on a good idea you feel would be right, or did you feel God spoke to you specifically about this? There really was a St. Nicholas. He did go about giving gifts, if I am not mistaken. Why don't you research him and other holiday traditions. I bought my husband a music box the second or third year we were married. It is Santa, kneeling at the manger, hat off, and the music box plays O Come Let us Adore Him. My "advice" would be to examine the motive behind the move, and if you and your husband feel it is God speaking to you, then let God's peace in your hearts "rule as umpire" as it says in Colossians 3:15 in the Amplified Bible. Your decision does not have to become some great pronouncement to cause friction between families, but I would rather know I have done what God says because I am in awe of Him and obey Him than to fear the face of in-laws or any man or woman.

Thank you so much....you make a good point!! I do believe that God spoke to me and that is why I feel such passion about Santa. I would LOVE to know where you got that music box if you remember...I'd love to get my kids one! Thank you so much for you kind words! Jodie

The kneeling Santa was found at a music box store 18 years ago. You could check your mall to see if there is such a store now.

OH, YOUR MUSIC BOX JUST BROUGHT UP A CHILDHOOD MEMORY. MY MOMMA MADE A CERAMIC STATUE OF THE SAME THING, SANTA ON HIS KNEE WORSHIPPING BABY JESUS WITH A GIFT IN HIS HANDS & HIS BAG ON THE GROUND! THE PERFECT VISION FOR CHILDREN REGARDING SANTA'S PLACE IN CHRISTmas! &, YOU MADE A VERY GOOD POINT MS DEBBY, AS TO WHETHER THE LORD SPOKE TO JODIE'S HEART OR THE IDEA CAME FROM HER. IF THE LORD SPEAKS TO US, THEN THERE IS NO CHOICE BUT TO OBEY HIM AS THE SEES THE BEGINNING FROM THE END SO THERE IS AN IMPORTANT REASON WHY HE TELLS US TO DO SPECIFIC THINGS. GOD BLESS YOU ... DAWN & NICk

There is nothing wrong with letting them believe in Santa. It can be part of the excitment and wonder of Christmas. I am also a Christian, and I never got Jesus confused with Santa. Luke 2:10-13 "I bring you good news of great joy....a great multitude of heavenly hosts appeared with the angle praising God... For kids Santa can be a part of that "great joy" during the Christmas season...its FUN! Kids will all to soon get to experience the stress of Christmas. Don't let them or yourself get to serious. Lighten up and have some fun. This is a magical time of the year. Peace, Eddie

Eddie, I agree. I am a Christian. I have raised my children to know the true meaning of CHRISTmas. I have also raised them to know there really was a man named St. Nick that gave gifts. We do not worship St. Nick. We worship CHRIST. We give gifts because it is better to give than to recieve. But we also give gifts because we love one another and our families and friends. We give gifts because the wisemen brought gifts to the baby Jesus. It is a grandparents joy to bring fun to our children. Personally I could not take that away from their grandparents. The excitement was just as great to the grandparents as was to the children to watch them open their gifts from Santa. It may even confuse them more if they are too young, the rest of the school and their friends will still talk of Santa. Only my thought, as you take your children shopping for the Christmas season, is to encourrage them to buy a gift for someone else who has less. Teach them to reach out to others as Jesus did. Jesus is the head of our home, and Santa still comes every year also. I guess you should search your heart and pray, then you will know the right answer.

I feel you need to do what is right for your family. HOWEVER, as a mother of a 4 year old that very much believes in Santa, all I ask is that if you tell your children that there is no Santa that you stress to them that there are other children that DO believe and not to ruin it for them. I love to see the excitement in my daughter's face when she sees Santa. It is alot like the excitement she gets when she sees Mickey Mouse and Cinderella at Disneyworld. We don't worship them either. It's just innocence and imagination. Kathy

I want to thank EVERYONE for their replies!!! I believe that I may let them believe but still be sure that they are aware of the REASON for CHRISTmas!!! You guys are so thoughtful and have helped a lot!! I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! Jodie

Im so glad you said that you will let them believe Jodie.. it crushed me to see that you wouldnt let your little ones enjoy the "Magic" of it all.. like Kathy said, its like seeing Mickey Mouse and cinderella.. i still feel the MAGIC of disney world and SANTA lmao! It was something when i was raised (in a VERY Christian home) that we always did.. We had Santa and all, and we would also read the True Christmas story, and go see christmas musicals at church, and do the candlelight service christmas eve.. Growing up you know its about GOD before Santa, and just stress the REASON FOR THE SEASON is JESUS above all else.. Jen