I don't know about you, but I was and am still fascinated by the REAL St. Nicholas' (the Santa Claus) - story of generosity, goodness, kindness, and hope and trust that God continues to work in us and in our children through us! I also had to learn to undo a lot of things that did not make sense! So, we are in this learning together. Yes, we do not want to teach lies. When you speak the truth and tell the true facts, it is telling the real story against the lies and misrepresentations, and even commercialism that this character has been used to spread out. As I write this I want to make it clear that I am not advocating the 'in culture' Santa that charges money to take pictures with him, or is often seen drunk in some countries, or someone paid to perform and does not truly reflect the good man that St Nick was!
But we did tell our children when they were growing about an innocent fascination; the magic is a part that we all love to read, live, hope for, just like Disney or any animation characters, we all know the reality. If we teach the children the real story then the character does not become idol but seems a worker who worked for God! "At times putting a smile on a child's face is worth a great act of kindness" - as I heard it in a song. Our children who love the Lord Jesus have told us that they were never mistaken between Lord Jesus and Santa! They knew very well that Santa is NOT God! Thank God, they had the clear understanding of who God is and who Santa is. Be blessed as you read this and may you bless others this season!
I am quoting a very good explanation here by this gentleman who drives the truth home!
"The name Santa Claus comes from the Dutch Sinterklaas, which is a derivation of the Greek name Saint Nicholas. Saint Nicholas was a real person who lived in what is modern day Turkey between the years AD 270 and 343. Among the many stories and legends attributed to this holy man was his habit of giving gifts, especially leaving coins in peoples’ shoes. Anyone of Dutch heritage knows that shoes left out for Sinterklaas on the evening of December 5 will be found full of candy, toys, and coins the next morning.
Our culture has warped this into extremes of greed and consumption that Saint Nicholas would be horrified to have his name associated with. But as for the idea of giving gifts, Nicholas was just following a good example. That was what God did. A Christmas pop song by the Christian musician Randy Stonehill includes a line, “I know that if Saint Nicholas were here he would agree that Jesus was the greatest gift of all for you and me.” Let’s reclaim the real “Jolly Old Saint Nick.” -Jeff Munroe (Words of Hope Devotional)
Matthew 7:7-11 English Standard Version (ESV)
Ask, and It Will Be Given: 7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!"-
Hope and Confidence: So personally speaking, even as a parent I write that it was a joyous feeling for me to read the list that my young children presented at Christmas, few years ago and even now that they know the story. The confidence and hope that they have, need not be taken away. God, the great giver, encourages us to ask Him, and God can make anyone a messenger to bring a blessing in your life. That is the hope and trust we need to continue to instill. The world needs hope.
I must say that we must, repeat must teach our children NOT to pray to Santa or to make a list for Santa but to pray to the Gracious God, who uses people in our lives to bless us. These days many want to exclude prayers and God all together, because we live a world that believes in 'self made' stuff, would it not be ok to teach children, that there is God up there and He cares for you, your needs and is willing to give you, whatever you need!
Teaching Generosity: We also encourage them to become givers. Jesus said in John's gospel that, "We will always have poor among us." So, instead of being so skeptical, we can humble and be messengers of God."Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke6:38 NIV
Even Santa bows down to worship Jesus, the true Gift giver, and the Gift himself from Heaven's all-gracious King!
May we not get too carried away in either side though, but live humble lives and display God's goodness as did St. Nick did!
A very clear teaching on this subject and a very good resource is in this article that I read and am pasting it here, please take time to read: https://answersingenesis.org/jesus-christ/birth/wintertime-worship-santa-claus-or-jesus-christ/
Joyfully,
Kalpana Christian Sharma (Mrs.)
