Do your kids believe in Santa? Mine do; though with Sam I think it is more that he wishes, almost desperately, to believe rather then that he really does believe as Grace does. His poor, logical, 1st grade self has been assaulted with too many inconsistencies and realities and he's been trying so hard to ignore them. Grace has no doubt that there is a jolly and kindly old man who lives at the north pole and spends all his time devoted to making toys for good little girls and boys. Let her see three different 'Santa Clauses' at three different locations in one short span of time and she has no questions. I don't have a problem with my children believing in Santa Clause. Belief in the joy of selfless giving, whether or not it is embodied in something 'real' can't be a bad thing. I'm kind of sad that this is probably the last Christmas that Sam will even kind of believe, but more because this means he is growing up and out into the world.
12.06.2009
The Santa Conundrum
What does Santa mean in your home? Is he an example of service and charity or of strictly commercial value? Or is he used as a disciplinary threat i.e. only good children get presents from Santa? Last night we attended a nativity display put on by one of the stakes here in Spokane. It was amazing with hundreds of different nativities and depictions of the birth and life of Christ. ( Incidentally there was one with Santa kneeling by the manger.) They also had a children's room with the more hardy nativities that the kids could touch and other activities such as coloring and dress-ups. We had a lot of fun there. Just as we were leaving, another family came in. The mom started getting her kids dressed up in the costumes so she could take some pictures. One son, about Sam's age I would guess, did not want to participate. She started arguing with him and I distinctly heard her say as I was going out, "Do you want Santa to bring you any presents?"
That's really want got me started thinking about this whole issue. I've tried not to use the idea of Santa in this way. In fact, its more my kids that use it on each other, which is pretty funny to hear sometimes. Anyway. It's in issue that many families have to deal with at sometime or another. So, what does Santa mean to you?
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4 comments:
I just heard something from Merilee (no surprise) that we loved and plan to institute. It's exactly what you have said. Santa is a selfless person who distributes presents throughout the world without anything expected in return. This is exactly what Jesus has done. Jesus gave with no expectation of something in return.
Santa, I can see how this is a touchy subject. As For me I know that I believe. I have to. It is rumored in my house that if it wasn't for him I would have never come to my family. He is the one that bundled my up one Christmas night and brought me to my family and even hung my up in a stocking for my family to see first thing when they came into the room.
And even to this day he never forgets to bring me a birthday cake.
I love Christmas. Not just because it is my birthday but because it is a Magical time when people who wouldn't otherwise find a soft spot in their hearts and do nice things for others.
I know this didn't really answer the question but I will always believe.
what are you talking about there is no santa? in my house - we ALWAYS no matter what your age - believe in santa and no matter what ethan/jack/sophia ask - i will always say there is santa. but like Jesus Christ - the idea and joy of santa should never be turned into a threat for good behavior. that's not how either work right!
You and your siblings wanted to believe until you were in your teens.
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