Sarah147 Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 (edited) So, I'm wondering about this business of Christians lying to children about Santa.... Do you? Why? It's lying... I don't mean about the Saint Nicholas in Heaven and his story... But about there being a Santa in North Pole who travels to houses with gifts this very day... Edited December 5, 2011 by JoyfulLife Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nihil Obstat Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 I'm a bit conflicted about whether or not it constitutes a lie. I'm leaning towards yes. I suppose you might quibble as to whether or not it constitutes intent to deceive, or whether or not it could count as the 'lying' that accompanies dramatic performances and such. Katy and I don't plan on telling our future kids that Santa is real. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Totus Tuus Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 I have wondered a lot about that, too. I intend to teach my kids about Santa, and I've never heard any Catholic theologian or priest ever mention there being anything wrong with it. I believed in the easter bunny, tooth fairy, santa, ALL that stuff as a kid. It never hurt me to realize they weren't real... I would say it just made my childhood more magical. It never affected my belief in God, either... So I have a hard time understanding why it is wrong, but at the heart of it, it does seem like a genuine lie, which wouldn't be right. Where's Cappie? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil'Monster Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 when my dad was a 8 year old kid, he found out that Santa wasn't real and he CRIED his eyes out.... As a kid, I never really believed in Santa but my parents taught me about Jesus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blind Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 (edited) Do not let your children present their wishes to Santa. If you want them to write down what they desire, let them write to the Child Jesus according to the old Catholic custom. Santa does not give the presents, he only delivers what the Lord sends. The above suggestions will also help to lessen the "shock" when the children find out that "there is no Santa." As one mother did when her little boy came full of doubts and asked her if there really was a Santa Claus. Such a question should always be answered in truth, no matter how small the child is. "Of course not," said mother quietly, "that's only a story for very small children. You are a big boy now, so you understand how it really is. Our dear Lord does not need a deliveryman. He has already given you somebody who loves you very much and who is happy to give you the Christmas presents in His Name. Do you know who these persons are?" The child thought for a moment, then he said, "Daddy and mother?" "Yes, my dear," answered she, "and would you not rather that father and I give you the presents? We love you more than Santa Claus does." "Why didn't you tell me that before?" "Because it is nice for little children to believe in Santa. Aren't you glad you did?" Again the boy thought for a minute. "Yes, it was nice," he said finally. Then he added, "But it's much nicer now." Many people think that Santa Claus is St. Nicholas "in disguise." Actually the two figures have nothing in common except the name. When the Dutch came to America and established the colony of New Amsterdam, their children enjoyed the traditional "visit of St. Nicholas" on December 5, for the Dutch had kept this ancient Catholic custom even after the Reformation. Later, when England founded the colony of New York in the same territory, the kindly figure of Sinter Klaas (pronounced like Santa Claus) soon aroused the desire among the English children of having such a heavenly visitor come to their own homes, too. Behind the name Santa Claus no longer stands the traditional figure of St. Nicholas but the pagan Germanic god Thor (after whom Thursday is named). To show the origin of the modern Santa Claus tale let us give some details about the god Thor from ancient Germanic mythology. Thor was the god of the peasants and the common people. He was represented as an elderly man, jovial and friendly, of heavy build, with a long white beard. His element was the fire, his color red. The rumble and roar of thunder were said to be caused by the rolling of his chariot, for he alone among the gods never rode on horseback but drove in a chariot drawn by two white goats (called Cracker and Gnasher). He was fighting the giants of ice and snow, and thus became the Yule-god. He was said to live in the "Northland" where he had his palace among icebergs. By our pagan forefathers he was considered as the cheerful and friendly god, never harming the humans but rather helping and protecting them. The fireplace in every home was especially sacred to him, and he was said to come down through the chimney into his element, the fire. (See H. A. Guerber, [i]Myths of Northern Lands[/i], vol. I, p. 61 ff., New York, 1895). All this was copied from [url="http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/activities/view.cfm?id=210"]http://www.catholicc...view.cfm?id=210[/url][/indent] Edited December 5, 2011 by Blind Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basilisa Marie Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 (edited) Santa seems like a tradition to teach children about generosity and that good behavior gets rewarded. I'd count Santa under all the other fairy tales you hear about or read about as a kid. I may be weird, but I figured out the "truth" behind Santa on my own around the age of eight or nine. It didn't bother me, because I read a book about the different myths about Santa around the world. I'm the eldest of three, so helping keep Santa "real" for my siblings for a couple years was part of the fun, and made me feel grown up. But then, that's also probably because I found out gradually on my own. I distinctly remember one time in preschool, loudly defending the reality of Santa and his reindeer with a friend when another kid told us Santa wasn't real (seeing the mysterious red light that had to be Rudolf, strange and new wrapping paper on the gifts, etc). Sometimes it doesn't feel much different when defending God's existence against atheists...lol. I think it ultimately comes down to a parent's decision of whether or not to tell their kids about Santa. I've just seen situations where those kids go to school and announce to everyone that Santa doesn't exist. Edit: Blind, I love that story. I think it's a good medium between Santa and no Santa. Edited December 5, 2011 by Basilisa Marie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SanctitasDeo Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 I don't plan on pressing the issue with my kids unless my wife feels strongly about it. I don't think she does. I was never big on 'the magic of Christmas' and stuff like that. I'll let them know about the tradition, but the truth, the birth of Christ, is much more glorious. I would rather they grew up knowing and believing that than in a tradition they will leave behind in childhood. I figured it out pretty early. I have never really cared that much for Santa, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maggyie Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 Our plan (if we are blessed with living children) is to have them write letters to the child Jesus congratulating him on his upcoming birthday and mentioning what little presents they would like. Then on St. Nicholas's Eve (Dec 5) they put the letters in their shoes and when they wake up the next day the letters are gone and there's candy in the shoes! Then on Christmas they get presents from Jesus. I don't think many children resent their parents or are bitter about the Santa Claus thing. It's no more a lie than telling a small child about storks or angels when they ask where babies come from. It's just a charming story. I am glad I believed in Santa as I have many wonderful exciting memories from childhood, waking up and trying to "catch" him, or thinking I heard the reindeer on the roof. As long as it doesn't supplant the Nativity it's perfectly fine I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dominicansoul Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 when i was in first grade, i stood on a desk and emphatically declared to all my classmates, "Believing in Santa Claus is NOT a teaching of the Holy Catholic Church." my classmates cried, and Sister laughed out loud.... even back then I was a stinker... and a Dominican... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIKolbe Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 I would say I participate in sin by not outright telling my children there is no Santa Claus, and more further by affirmation of said societal norms concerning him. If and when I am pressed for an answer, I will say I believe in what he represents and then will draw a corollary between the aforementioned systematic/societal affirmations and the birth, life, passion, death, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I will then require, from my child, no less than a 29 page thesis and 39 page thesis defense of said topic. They can use crayon if they want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil'Monster Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 [quote name='dominicansoul' timestamp='1323054441' post='2344672'] when i was in first grade, i stood on a desk and emphatically declared to all my classmates, "Believing in Santa Claus is NOT a teaching of the Holy Catholic Church." my classmates cried, and Sister laughed out loud.... even back then I was a stinker... and a Dominican... [/quote] I could picture you doing that.....you dirty dominican Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deus te Amat Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 What?! Santa's not real?!?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil'Monster Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 [quote name='Deus_te_Amat' timestamp='1323055219' post='2344682'] What?! Santa's not real?!?! [/quote] You would say that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maggyie Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 [quote name='MIkolbe' timestamp='1323055166' post='2344680'] I would say I participate in sin by not outright telling my children there is no Santa Claus, and more further by affirmation of said societal norms concerning him. If and when I am pressed for an answer, I will say I believe in what he represents and then will draw a corollary between the aforementioned systematic/societal affirmations and the birth, life, passion, death, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I will then require, from my child, no less than a 29 page thesis and 39 page thesis defense of said topic. They can use crayon if they want. [/quote] this is a perfect strategy, especially the part about the thesis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basilisa Marie Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 [quote name='dominicansoul' timestamp='1323054441' post='2344672'] when i was in first grade, i stood on a desk and emphatically declared to all my classmates, "Believing in Santa Claus is NOT a teaching of the Holy Catholic Church." my classmates cried, and Sister laughed out loud.... even back then I was a stinker... and a Dominican... [/quote] Lol I don't think we would have been friends in first grade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now