IcePrincessKRS Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 My kids think Santa is real. And I can honestly say that that was not my doing nor my husband's. Once other people introduced the concept of Santa to my kids we told them about Saint Nick, they know Christmas is Jesus' birthday and that they get presents to celebrate the birth of Our Lord. They know their father and I buy their gifts. The tricky part for us was reconciling the "What is Santa bringing you?" that they got from everyone else. So, for now, they know that I buy the gifts, but they think that St. Nick delivers them for us so it's a surprise for them on Christmas. They've been told by other kids that Santa doesn't exist but they choose to ignore that. I never intended to not tell them about Santa, but I never intended for him to become the central focus, either. Their "belief" in the myth came about in a very gradual process and they all know that they aren't getting presents because they were "good this year" but because we are celebrating Jesus. They also believe in the tooth fairy (I had done tooth for money swapping but never actually said how it was done, but other people told them about the TF). I honestly don't know if they believe in the Easter bunny or not... they get baskets and all, I just don't know how they think the baskets get there. All in all, as GeorgiiMichael stated, these are myths not lies. I think each set of parents has to adapt that myth to best suit their family, and be cautious about how the truth behind the myth is revealed over time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesus_lol Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 [quote name='Blind' timestamp='1323052862' post='2344649'] 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. [/quote] this would maybe work until the children realize that the Child Jesus thinks their richer friends deserve more and better presents. Probably best to leave Jesus in the part of Christmas to which he is relevant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missionseeker Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 [quote name='Jesus_lol' timestamp='1323119781' post='2345088'] this would maybe work until the children realize that the Child Jesus thinks their richer friends deserve more and better presents. Probably best to leave Jesus in the part of Christmas to which he is relevant. [/quote] ok. I love you Nick, but this is bull. I grew up in a family that was ALWAYS strapped for cash. Literally, I watched my parents pay for milk with change they found. Not once growing up did I think that Jesus thought my rich friends deserve more and better presents. In fact, Christmas was not ever just about the presents. Some years, we got fewer presents. Some years more. But never once did any of us think those presents were "deserved". Presents AREN'T something you deserve. They are something people who love you go out of their way to make happen. And if there are children who think Jesus thinks other people deserve more because of how many toys they got, those kids are really not getting the point, anyway. Santa or no Santa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maximilianus Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 [quote name='Jesus_lol' timestamp='1323119781' post='2345088'] this would maybe work until the children realize that the Child Jesus thinks their richer friends deserve more and better presents. Probably best to leave Jesus in the part of Christmas to which he is relevant. [/quote] Jesus is relevant to all parts of Christmas. If it get to the point where we are thinking this way, then we have done something wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arfink Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 Well, I tend to take the obnoxious-older-cousin path: convincing my 3 year old cousin that Santa Claus is actually a deadly ninja asassin who is making up for his evil deeds by delivering presents. I'd get into more detail, but I suspect this kind of thing is even *more* naughty than telling them that Santa is real. I kinda justified it by saying that it was kinda a reductio-ad-abusrdum kind of thing that'd make him forget about Santa, but instead he was terrified! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinytherese Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 I remember being traumatized when my mom told me that Santa wasn't real. I had a hard time for years believing her when she told me. I found it really crushing, not because of the presents but because of the magic of it all. Looking back, even when I did believe in Santa Clause, it felt like Christmas was over as soon as all of the gifts were unwrapped and I felt that something to the holiday was missing. I remember someone pointing out on Phatmass in the past that the word holiday comes from the term Holy Day. I found far more meaning in Christmas after my conversion when I celebrated the real meaning of Christmas. There was a Santa Clause and he was a bishop of Myra. Our culture just celebrates when he comes on the wrong day. Interestingly enough, my little brother's birthday is December 6th. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesus_lol Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 If you guys think teaching children that praying to Jesus will get them new toys is a good idea, then go ahead. I just think its kind of cheap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschoolmom Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 [quote name='Jesus_lol' timestamp='1323132329' post='2345196'] If you guys think teaching children that praying to Jesus will get them new toys is a good idea, then go ahead. I just think its kind of cheap. [/quote] You know, I have to agree with J_lol here... Our experience has worked out really well. We never really promoted Santa-- the culture does that enough. We just opened all of our Christmas gifts on Christmas morning. None of them were from "Santa"... kids just got excited for presents. We have a different sort of scavenger hunt game tradition that we do in place of stockings. We watch Christmas specials/movies with Santa, but, then again, we watch lots of fantasy movies. I'm not a fan of doing things like leaving gifts or taking things out of shoes and saying that Jesus did it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maximilianus Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 [quote name='Jesus_lol' timestamp='1323132329' post='2345196'] If you guys think teaching children that praying to Jesus will get them new toys is a good idea, then go ahead. I just think its kind of cheap. [/quote] Hmm, since you put it that way I get visions of a mall version of Jesus asking the kids what they want. My point being it's never good to compartmentalize Christ in the holiday, like how people leave Christ in the pews and forget about him the rest of the week, or when it comes to politics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
God the Father Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 Santa brings me stuff every year. I think most people are just on the naughty list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesus_lol Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 [quote name='homeschoolmom' timestamp='1323133416' post='2345199'] You know, I have to agree with J_lol here... [/quote] there there, it happens to everyone sooner or later, but it is never pleasant is it [quote name='Maximilianus' timestamp='1323133449' post='2345200'] Hmm, since you put it that way I get visions of a mall version of Jesus asking the kids what they want. My point being it's never good to compartmentalize Christ in the holiday, like how people leave Christ in the pews and forget about him the rest of the week, or when it comes to politics. [/quote] exactly. People complain about Santa taking the holiday away from Jesus, but i would think that it would be worse to try and turn Jesus into Santa. Commercialization and taking away the original meaning and all that. I didnt mean to leave Jesus out of Christmas. The holiday is all about him. just saying that injecting him into the presents and commercialization part does neither any good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesus_lol Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 [quote name='missionseeker' timestamp='1323120504' post='2345100'] ok. I love you Nick [/quote] [img]http://4chan.viralprints.com/system/photos/3573/large/VP%20Awesome%20Face.png[/img] [quote] , but this is bull. [/quote] [img]http://aimdownsite.com/data/users/2011/04/23/1/user_albums/1/sad-dawson_069qx4.jpg[/img] [quote] I grew up in a family that was ALWAYS strapped for cash. Literally, I watched my parents pay for milk with change they found. Not once growing up did I think that Jesus thought my rich friends deserve more and better presents. In fact, Christmas was not ever just about the presents. Some years, we got fewer presents. Some years more. But never once did any of us think those presents were "deserved". Presents AREN'T something you deserve. They are something people who love you go out of their way to make happen. And if there are children who think Jesus thinks other people deserve more because of how many toys they got, those kids are really not getting the point, anyway. Santa or no Santa. [/quote] well, im glad you had that experience. I also grew up in a family with very very little money. I knew that was why we didnt get as nice stuff sometimes, and i was ok with it. But then, i was never told it was Jesus in charge of not getting me the remote control car i really wanted. I just dont think it can have any positive outcome to turn Christ into Santa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
let_go_let_God Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 (edited) -----the below post was actually written by Catholictothecore I am wondering about this. It's not whether or not it's lying, it's...isn't there a way to tell it without lying? Maybe St. Nicholas comes from heaven instead of a fat man from the North Pole? I don't know what LGLG and I will tell them someday. I know one family that flat out tells their children the truth, that it's bad to believe in Santa, because "Christimas is about giving, not getting." Because, let's face it, Santa was invented by the Coca-Cola Company. It's been a long, long time since any really told their children the true story of St. Nicholas for Christmas... Edited December 6, 2011 by let_go_let_God Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norseman82 Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 [quote name='Papist' timestamp='1323113911' post='2345030'] Also, if you misspell Santa, who do you have? [/quote] [img]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/dan5/satan.jpg[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papist Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 [quote name='Norseman82' timestamp='1323136973' post='2345247'] [img]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y47/dan5/satan.jpg[/img] [/quote] The perfect sport for Satan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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