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NASB | Deuteronomy 5:6 ¶ 'I am the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Deuteronomy 5:6 ¶ 'I am the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. |
Bible Question: In a Bible discussion last night, a lady at our church said she didn't see anything wrong with teaching children to believe in Santa Clause. She thinks that it is harmless fun. I know this isn't the Christmas season, but I am interested to know how members of the forum would address this practice of including Santa Clause in the teaching of the birth of Christ during the Christmas season. What do you tell your children when asked about Santa Clause? I look foward to your response? Thank you for your time. JAL |
Bible Answer: I will throw in my 2 cents. I was raised as I raised my children with two sides of Christmas. The first and most important was the commemoration of Jesus' birth. Not only was I taught what the day stood for I was also taught that this probably wasn’t the day Jesus was actually born nor were all the depictions of this event factual. Each year as my understanding grew the explanations became more comprehensive until I learned to stand on the Biblical account with no additions or subtractions. Also we celebrated the tradition of Santa Claus. I first learned this man wanted to share his joy with the world by giving gifts and as we give our enjoyment grows. The secular side of Christmas while it was greatly played up in our family it was always kept in perspective by giving to others. At any early age I played Santa giving gifts to those that were less fortunate than me. While I don’t recall anyone sitting down and saying “Ed there is no Santa” I believe my being a part of playing Santa to share with others opened my eyes to the idea Santa was not a real person but rather people wanting to share the joy of the season with each other by giving gifts of love. As our children reached this understanding they also realized that some children thought there was a Santa and until their parents thought it best to tell them otherwise they should keep their mouth shut. I’m please to say my children raised my grandchildren this way. I have heard the older ones tell the younger the birth of Christ is the real meaning of the day, and I have also watched them received great joy as they played Santa to their younger brothers and sisters. And as far as I know none ever came crying to a parent saying Johnny said there is no Santa! Is Santa real mommy? Yet if you ask any one of them what Santa brought them for Christmas their eyes will light up and they will tell you. I think it is all perspective and whether we sit down and teach our children or let them catch what they can from where ever. EdB |