One topic of debate this time of year for Christan Families centers around the issue/person of Santa Clause. Do we tell our kids about Santa? Do they get gifts "From: Santa?" What's the harm in pretending that Santa does exist?Here are some of the issues so that you can decide.
Cons
1) Santa Claus is often given the same qualities as God: Omniscience and Omnipotence, specifically.
2) Santa keeps a list of our rights and wrongs. God does not.
3) Telling kids that Santa exists, when in fact he doesn't, sets up your kids for disappointment (not to mention you are lying to them).
Pros
1) Saint Nick was a real person and we could teach about him and his ministry.
2) James Dobson says it's OK.
3) Kids pretend all the time - to be a Princess or a Jedi - this is no different.
So, what do you think? What stance has your family taken? Has the question of whether or not to "believe" in Santa ever come up?
Food for thought, Dean
Don't want to necessarily get into *that* debate (I can get away with that as your wife, right?!) - but I did want to say how much I like the new blog look!
ReplyDeleteCool~
Lori
I guess we'll let you slide on this one?!?! Thanks for the compliment.
ReplyDeleteDean
We've chosen not to as we've seen families bend over backwards and lie to their kids to keep the fantasy alive. Also when I grew up with a family with little financial means it was hard to accept years where we would get less than other years.
ReplyDeleteAlso we just want to keep Christmas about Jesus.
Saying that I'm not going to judge families that choose to go the Santa route.