After reading Shanna's blog tonight, I too wonder why Santa? I can't remember him being a big part of my childhood. I don't remember finding out about him or seeing him at the mall. I don't really know what the big deal is. And it's A LOT of work to be Santa! So we half-heartedly did Santa this year and I have my doubts for the next year. With my kids being homeschooled, the emphasis on Santa just isn't there unless I do it. And I don't really want to. I want Christmas to be about giving. I want my kids to be "santa" for someone else. I love the spirit of Santa, I just don't need the letters to him, the cookies, the reindeer...ya know? I want Christ to be the center of Christmas and the santa idea to be what we do for someone else. Does this ruin the magic of Christmas? Does this detract from my kids' childhood happiness? Am I depriving them of something? It's just so much easier to focus on the true meaning of Christmas...I mean, that's where we all get eventually, isn't it?
PS Funny note: this was the very first "fight" Geo and I had while we were engaged. He said he wouldn't lie to the kids about the existence of Santa and I told him to send them to me...I had no problems lying! :) But now, my tune has changed. Hmmm, just like before I had kids when I said I would never be one of those parents that let my kids run wild at a church function....ha.
3 comments:
I think that if you teach them the spirit of santa and let the focus be on Christ then you are doing what you need to do. Rachele asked us about the baby Jesus so we read to her from the bible about the baby Jesus. We still did the santa thing but it wasn't a focus. she didn't even realize that santa brought her the gift she wanted. She was mad that the other gift she wanted was from her brother and not santa because she asked santa for it. We explained to her that brother knew she wanted it so he got it for her...so you keep doing what you think is best. Your kids will be better with Christ as the focus than santa.
Hahah. I think I remember you telling me about that discussion about Santa when you were engaged. I do have to agree. I'm not opposed, I just don't think it's the reason. I want my kids to feel the magic of the season, but I won't feel too bad when they find out...
I don't think there's anything wrong with not teaching kids that Santa is real. In fact, when I used to ask my mom if there really was a Santa, she would just say, "Anyone can be a Santa Claus." I think the spirit of Santa -- giving -- is an important lesson that many kids don't learn until they're older. If you just start off by saying that Santa is a symbol of giving, and focus the rest on Christ, that makes total sense. In fact, I would like to do that with Alex when he starts to "get" Christmas. I haven't told Kris this. He'll just have to go along with it. ;)
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