tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28988815.post1806666036982740185..comments2023-08-15T06:44:05.705-05:00Comments on Pure Church: Down with Santa Claus!FellowElderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08590139703839397873noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28988815.post-54334103511152680022008-12-25T11:20:00.000-05:002008-12-25T11:20:00.000-05:00I know Christmas has become very commercialised + ...I know Christmas has become very commercialised + that some non Christians even join in. However, there are millions upon millions who celebrate this day in thanksgiving + joy for the comming of the Saviour of humankind as a tiny helpless babe. Fundamentalist Christians are always looking for something sinister behind EVERYTHING. They are the first to grab a stone + hurl it with all their might. They must stop pointing fingers. If one does not wish to remember the holy days set aside during the church year, so be it! It's their choice. Let others also have a choice!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28988815.post-3076202627447902952008-12-10T19:36:00.000-05:002008-12-10T19:36:00.000-05:00Why not use Santa to spread the word?http://www.yo...Why not use Santa to spread the word?<BR/>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-2jbFGiLmIAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28988815.post-55971455264964082262008-11-20T11:55:00.000-05:002008-11-20T11:55:00.000-05:00The real chritsmas is to celebrate the sun god. As...The real chritsmas is to celebrate the sun god. Ask Constantine I. He's the one that deemed December 25th as the celebration of Christ b-day only after he converted because the cross helped him kill his enemies. So since that must be the true god, he painted over the celebration of the sun god with the birth of christ. Where is the bible does it state december 25th? Why don't Jehovah Witnesses celebrate on that day? Think about it. Oh wait you never di dbecause god forbid you question your faith. Oh wait that's right it FAITH, what's the difference with Santa and Jesus? You're taking someone's word for it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28988815.post-52638155707589792032007-12-30T14:47:00.000-05:002007-12-30T14:47:00.000-05:00"So, here is the million dollar question:How do yo..."So, here is the million dollar question:<BR/>How do you teach your kids to respond when people ask, "Are you ready for Santa to come?" Or, "What did Santa bring you this year?""<BR/>Simple- my son came up with it himeself. "We don't do Santa" We've NEVER done Santa as parents. I didn't want to lie to my son about anything let alone something as silly as a make believe character<BR/><BR/>The only problem I have had with not doing Santa is trying to keep my son from disillusioning all of the kids in our circle of family and friends that do do Santa. As much as I don't like the whole Santa thing it's not my place to talk to someone else's kids about what's real or not. <BR/><BR/>Last issue was with a little boy I babysit. My son is 6, and he's 7. He came running up to me one day telling me to tell my son that Santa really was real. I was at a bit of a loss. I finally said that some people believe in Santa and others don't and he should talk to his mother about it. <BR/><BR/>Yikes!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28988815.post-15196047894305484662007-12-28T22:14:00.000-05:002007-12-28T22:14:00.000-05:00Thank you for your post. My husband and I have tw...Thank you for your post. My husband and I have two girls (4 yrs and 16 mos) and do not do Santa or a tree. We have a nativity scene for "the house" under which we place our gifts (to remind us of where gifts come from) and a small set suitable for playing. This year we also had a "winter scene" of snowmen-related items in another location. <BR/><BR/>Along with the reasons you listed, we found that Noel Piper's book, Treasuring God in Our Traditions, made an excellent point about Santa. His attributes: omniscent (all-seeing), omnipresent (at least one night a year), "old man in the sky" who gives good gifts based on your performance. These are similar to God the Father with one glaring difference - God gives gifts based on Christ's performance (which was adequate and accepted) therefore ours is of no value. This is the most compelling argument for us. Why add another way to confuse our children on the great truth of the Gospel? <BR/><BR/>We've fought a number of battles (and still I had to unwrap and squirrel away pointless ornaments) so my question is: how do you stop the grandparents and relatives from giving too much (our current struggle). We refuse to teach greed into our children (at least we refuse to encourage it in their sinful hearts) and some are more able to scale back then others. We have some good traditions for Jesus' birthday and giving Him a gift (this year a blanket through World Vision picked by our 4-year-old). I'm sure it can be very relationship-specific, but do you have any thoughts or phrases that worked well (or were less insulting) to communicate with the folks around us? Thanks.Lizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17396992263930198465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28988815.post-43375906753364025272007-12-25T12:17:00.000-05:002007-12-25T12:17:00.000-05:00The reason why Christmas has become so commerciali...The reason why Christmas has become so commercialized is the fact that Christmas is <B>not</B> a Biblical holiday, but a pagan holiday "Christianized". Since I became a Bible-believing and following Christian, I have never celebrated Christmas, or Easter for that matter, because these holidays are pagan days that were "sanitized" for Christian consumption. <BR/><BR/>The fact is the holidays that we are supposed to commemorate are in the Old Testament and if you read your New Testament correctly you can see that the Apostles celebrated those holidays, primarily, the Passover as dictated by the Messiah and the so-called Jewish feast days. If you notice, these holidays: Feast of Tabernacles, Feast of Weeks, etc are not commercialized and clearly point to the Savior. <BR/><BR/>Trying to "redeem" Christmas is an exercise in futility. Santa-worship is just a symptom of the larger problem of pagan elements infiltrating Christianity. People are quick to say that the Old Testament holy-days are "nailed to the cross," but what we have replaced with these days with --Christmas and Easter--is a counterfeit, easily corruptible.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28988815.post-82196814965486753092007-12-24T22:39:00.000-05:002007-12-24T22:39:00.000-05:00About the Santa being a lie thing, I agree and dis...About the Santa being a lie thing, I agree and disagree with you there.<BR/><BR/>The only way I feel that Santa can be a lie is if you convince a child that Santa is a real human being that really does live at the North Pole (and has a slew of magical powers, blah blah woof woof).<BR/><BR/>I feel that the only truth about Santa is that he's the spirit of giving. Though, as you've pointed out before (and it honestly hadn't occurred to me earlier), Santa tends to steal this representation from God/Jesus.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28988815.post-48313069804376342042007-12-24T11:58:00.000-05:002007-12-24T11:58:00.000-05:00Good post. More people really need to remember the...Good post. More people really need to remember the true reason for the season. Santa is a distraction.Beams of Light Ministrieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08373714612658468817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28988815.post-67750111707665693412007-12-22T21:30:00.000-05:002007-12-22T21:30:00.000-05:00Thabiti,Your doing a good job. I suspect also that...Thabiti,<BR/><BR/>Your doing a good job. I suspect also that coming from a Muslim construct, as would be the case for many who would come from other relgious context, which do not succumb to an american culturized Christianity, that this allowed your assessment of the Santa, and Rudolph issue to be objective and scriptural.<BR/><BR/>The fact is , that for those that start in on this pagan/Christian practice, they have a hard time breaking away from what they know is not Christ exalting.<BR/><BR/>We never did it. All eight of my children 24-7, and we never missed a wonderful time of fellowship that day. <BR/><BR/>No holier than thou thing; just liberty to not be driven by a fad.<BR/><BR/><BR/>The adult children now are free not to do it, since the pattern is there for them. <BR/><BR/>They love Christ, exalt His free Grace, and worship passionately, at His throne.<BR/><BR/>I suffered a lot of flack for years. But it's worth it to see the fruit. <BR/><BR/>The other comments are excellent as well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28988815.post-71252598966278394032007-12-22T11:36:00.000-05:002007-12-22T11:36:00.000-05:00We don't do Santa--we do decorate and give gifts r...We don't do Santa--we do decorate and give gifts remembering Christ's birthday and the gifts of the magi. My family was devastated when they found out but have realized that the kids enjoy it anyway. This year was eye opening when I asked my oldest two how they felt about Santa and how they would have felt if we had told them he was real. Both of them responded that it would have made them doubt the truth about Christ and that they loved that we told them the truth and they can trust us--they are almost 10 and 8.<BR/><BR/>This year I have noticed many atheist cartoonist pointing out this very phenomena and I had the own period of doubt when I found out at age 12 that he wasn't real (my parents perpetuated the myth as long as they could.)Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13735948672915158770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28988815.post-68970541506067259812007-12-20T23:17:00.000-05:002007-12-20T23:17:00.000-05:00Very well written post, but I must disagree. Your...Very well written post, but I must disagree. Your reasoning is sound and cogent but I think the "risks" are infinitesmally small. Most of us grew up with no belief tension between the discovery of Santa as myth and the true miracle of the incarnation.<BR/><BR/>For children, the excitement and thrill of a Santa Christmas is an awesome time, and I would add, very short-lived; by 10 most kids are on to the Santa "deception"...if not earlier.<BR/><BR/>I don't bother with those who "oppose" Santa...that's a great conviction, but I do struggle with any hint of judgement regarding a clean, family-oriented tradition. Then again, I don't have a beef with Halloween which many Christians see as one step from endorsing demons.<BR/><BR/>Anyhow, I love your blog, am thoroughly enjoying "The Decline" and I am greatly encouraged by your ministry! I just don't see much benefit in targeting a cultural icon that has influence only on Americans aged 4 to 8.<BR/><BR/>:-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28988815.post-37472006599926082772007-12-20T08:54:00.000-05:002007-12-20T08:54:00.000-05:00It's amazing how we mar the image of Christ when w...It's amazing how we mar the image of Christ when we bring Santa into the picture. Thank you for your words of wisdom on this matter. As you said, oftentimes we just categorise it as a "little white lie" and think nothing of it. Thanks for showing me that in this one action we are not only removing the Christ from Christmas but we are also obliterating the child's view of morality. Yes while we may bring temporary joy to the faces of our children, we must look at the long-term effects of this "small" infraction in their positive spiritual development.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04929486112391884614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28988815.post-7837656018845227522007-12-19T09:21:00.000-05:002007-12-19T09:21:00.000-05:00Santa isn't real? I have been lied to for 30 years...Santa isn't real? I have been lied to for 30 years! LOL. Good post Pastor T, my wife and I are debating about this issue now. Funny you presented it this way. We have a yearly ritual (I subject myself to it, in the name of peace) where we drink hot chocolate, put up all the Christmas decorations, and finally put our tree together (the one that never dies and goes in the attic). It is always two days after Thanksgiving. I will read this post to her and she what she thinks (I hope you have a spare bedroom for a brother).Lionel Woodshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01043784392293311580noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28988815.post-9402099077717328952007-12-18T21:02:00.000-05:002007-12-18T21:02:00.000-05:00A lot of kids find out they can't trust their pare...A lot of kids find out they can't trust their parents when they find out that Santa Claus doesn't really exist. Seems like trust should be a priority over fitting in with culture's activities.Lance Robertshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11275043953229783836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28988815.post-60107756347390307622007-12-18T16:24:00.000-05:002007-12-18T16:24:00.000-05:00Anonymous #2,I can't speak for others, but we don'...Anonymous #2,<BR/><BR/>I can't speak for others, but we don't trees either. Until this very year, our decorations have consisted of a nativity scene and hanging Christmas cards we received on the frig or wall. <BR/><BR/>This year, we went all out. On our porch, we twisted some green wreath-stuff on the rails. That's about it, and this is the first time we've ever done that. <BR/><BR/>So, personally, I like things fairly Spartan and driven by events from the Scripture.<BR/><BR/>T-FellowElderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08590139703839397873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28988815.post-86708467460408294042007-12-18T15:58:00.000-05:002007-12-18T15:58:00.000-05:00If we leave out Santa because it is a tradition o...If we leave out Santa because it is a tradition of the world what about the Christmas tree and decorations?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28988815.post-13042946082102027352007-12-18T14:44:00.000-05:002007-12-18T14:44:00.000-05:00Very good post! I've writtn on the whole "santa g...Very good post! I've writtn on the whole "santa game" too. I appreciate your stand for the glory of God and the integrity of His people! You go!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28988815.post-58139902231137029402007-12-18T12:02:00.000-05:002007-12-18T12:02:00.000-05:00Hi Anonymous,Good question. Actually, in my immed...Hi Anonymous,<BR/>Good question. Actually, in my immediate family we don't exchange gifts. In my larger extended family, we draw names and set a limit of $20 on the gift. <BR/><BR/>But I suppose that there are a lot of reasons to exchange gifts at Christmas. It's one way of expressing love, thankfulness, and generosity. <BR/><BR/>Perhaps a case could be made that in remembrance of the Father giving His Son for sinners at Christmas, we could/should serve others at Christmas. So, many families engage in various service opportunities at the holidays. That's a good thing.<BR/><BR/>But you ask a good question.<BR/>T-FellowElderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08590139703839397873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28988815.post-56460178701139706822007-12-18T11:53:00.000-05:002007-12-18T11:53:00.000-05:00My questions is this. . . if you aren't into the w...My questions is this. . . if you aren't into the whole Santa at Christmas then why would a family exchange presents if they are celebrating Jesus' birth instead of the worldly Christmas?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28988815.post-71407194983398318212007-12-18T10:36:00.000-05:002007-12-18T10:36:00.000-05:00Justin wrote:So, here is the million dollar questi...Justin wrote:<BR/><BR/><I>So, here is the million dollar question:<BR/>How do you teach your kids to respond when people ask, "Are you ready for Santa to come?" Or, "What did Santa bring you this year?"</I><BR/><BR/>Some of the funniest holiday moments for me have been witnessing the unsuspecting stranger in the grocery store or the relative ask the kids something like, "What did Santa bring you?" Or, "Was Santa Claus nice to you this year?"<BR/><BR/>And watching my oldest girl in particular, with no animosity and a kind of "you're big enough to know better" sympathy, politely say, "We don't believe in Santa Claus. We celebrate Jesus' birth at Christmas."<BR/><BR/>There's that awkward silence, fumbling for words. The adult is programmed to follow the child's response with, "oh, that's so nice. Santa was really kind to you this year."<BR/><BR/>But now they have to think about Jesus and why the holiday exists. And there aren't any pat answers at their disposal. It's a great time to insert into the silence a word of gospel.<BR/><BR/>So, we encourage them to just tell the truth. Nothing fancy; no great defenses. And when they say this to an adult, and an adult seems a bit overbearing, we happily try to model charity in presenting the gospel as explanation for our practice. And in their own little ways, the kids are growing as witnesses for the gospel.<BR/><BR/>It's been awesome to see them remain focused on Christ during the holidays and eschew any pressure to get caught up in the materialistic aspects of the holiday. One blessing your question brings to mind is I think the girls have developed some skill at resisting peer pressure and the tendency to follow the crowds. That's something we talk about quite a bit with them, and I think there is some fruit by God's grace at times like Christmas and others.FellowElderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08590139703839397873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28988815.post-30843253150384250182007-12-18T09:24:00.000-05:002007-12-18T09:24:00.000-05:00Thanks for that provocative (in a good way) post. ...Thanks for that provocative (in a good way) post. My wife & I haven't been blessed with children yet, but when the time comes you've given us some serious food for thought about how we handle the "Santa question". Incidentally, we were on your beautiful island a few weeks ago..as tourists. I gave our tour bus driver John Piper's little booklet "For Your Joy". So if you run into a tour bus operator named Errol, ask him if he read the little red book. Have a blessed Advent!Stephen Leyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02498952171697022917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28988815.post-13899241524003587192007-12-18T08:04:00.000-05:002007-12-18T08:04:00.000-05:00I'm with you brother.So, here is the million dolla...I'm with you brother.<BR/><BR/>So, here is the million dollar question:<BR/>How do you teach your kids to respond when people ask, "Are you ready for Santa to come?" Or, "What did Santa bring you this year?"pastor justinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07638482688179445244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28988815.post-12385150775473580782007-12-17T17:09:00.000-05:002007-12-17T17:09:00.000-05:00Well, now you've gone and done it! :)Seriously, th...Well, <I>now</I> you've gone and done it! :)<BR/><BR/>Seriously, this is giving me some good food to ponder. My wife and I do the Santa thing on the side, and our kids definitely know that it's "on the side." And yet, maybe it's time to consider going from "a little Santa on the side" to "sorry, we're all out of Santa this year." I'm definitely printing this one out and discussing with my wife for next year's plans!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09705006869363775408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28988815.post-22884093918341372672007-12-17T17:07:00.000-05:002007-12-17T17:07:00.000-05:00I agree: Down with Santa!!There is so much frenzy ...I agree: Down with Santa!!<BR/><BR/>There is so much frenzy with all the cultural (pagan) trappings of Christmas that I think that unless a family is intentionally and radically different, they will be swept up in the current, no matter how often they repeat the mantra, "Jesus is the reason for the season."paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08410214862789793611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28988815.post-1872360037534411182007-12-17T16:39:00.000-05:002007-12-17T16:39:00.000-05:00My wife and I were always in agreement that we wou...My wife and I were always in agreement that we would never lie to our kids (mythos of Santa) and I don't think we have any Santas around the house.<BR/><BR/>We do have a tree, but Christ is preeminent with regard to the season. <BR/><BR/>We do, however, teach the children about Saint Nicholas and the story that developed a life of his own, but make it very clear that Nicholas was not the type that would have wanted to eclipse the Lord Jesus.<BR/><BR/>Of course, I feel Mary would assert the same thing with regard to the celebrity she receives, often overshadowing the child she bore.GUNNYhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11422524342398284973noreply@blogger.com