We just wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! We are headed over to Dave's parents for Christmas Eve. We will spend the night and open presents in the morning. Later on Christmas Day we will head over to my family's house and have Christmas dinner and open presents there as well. We are way excited to experience our first Christmas with Kimball. We will send pictures.
There is one Christmas topic I would like to discuss. I know I will be slaughtered for bringing it up, but I have to. The topic is Santa. Please hear me out before you get fired up. Dave and I are sick and tired of just how commercialized Christmas has become and how Santa has replaced Christ in the whole holiday season. I already talked a little bit about it on My sister-in-law's blog.
Just a side note: I don't think that kids who did or do believe in Santa will end up wih something wrong with them. I know many people who have turned out just fine that believed in Santa. I guess I just hate that Santa is the first thing that comes to mind with children around Christmas.
We also hate that people say that Santa is the spirit of Christmas, because last I knew it was Christmas not Santamas. Yes The idea of Santa is hopefully giving and not getting, but the spirit of Christmas is the greatest gift that our Heavenly Father gave us, Christ. The idea of Santa giving selflessly is a good example of what we should be doing, but remember it didn't start with Santa. I know that families try to incorporate both Santa and Christ into their home, but from what I can tell the kids kind of know what it is about, but are more focused on Santa bringing them presents.
My friend Brookie was telling about this book that compares things about Santa to Christ. It talks about how Santa wears red and so does Christ etc.. I have heard about it and have heard how cute people think it is. She then said that it bothered her that we were comparing Christ, the Son of God who Sacrificed himself for all of us, to an imaginary character. I agree.
In primary I teach the 6-8 year old children. Half the kids believe in Santa and half don't. They all got into an argument about Santa and whether or not he is real. I finally calmed them down and said that some people believe in Santa and some don't. I then asked them if they even new why we get gifts on Christmas. Not one of them new why. I proceeded to tell them that it represents the gift Heavenly Father gave us, Christ. I then talked about all of the symbolism of the Christmas tree, the candy cane, the star, and the angel. They seemed awed. I asked them, as a gift for Heavenly Father, to ask their parents to read the story of the birth of Christ on Christmas morning so they remember why they have presents. They all got excited and said they would.
Dave and I have decided to tell our kids the truth about Santa from the beginning. We will also let them know that some families want to believe in Santa and to not ruin it for others. I hope no one takes me the wrong way. I don't think any different of anyone who wishes to have Santa in their kids imagination. I am just venting my own frustrations. I am by the way all about kids having an imagination. I just don't agree comparing an imaginary character to Christ.
-Annie
4 comments:
Love venting.......
Yeah, I responded to your comment on my blog. But I'll add a little more.
Santa represents giving. If we remember the Christmas story the 3 wise men traveled far, each bringing gifts; that were considered quite meaningful and thoughtful for that time. Christmas is a season of giving; afterall, Christ gave us the ultimate gift: His life; and if we live worthily, eternal salvation.
I love giving gifts, almost more than receiving....almost. It brings me joy to give to others.
True, Christmas has become commercialized. I think that would happen without Santa. Each parent decides how much to spoil their child and how much to teach their child about Christ. Hopefully it's more of the latter.
I think Santa is harmless. But like I said, it's up to the parent to decide how much to indulge his child (which is actually the real problem).
But hey, to each his own.
I wanted to add....you should talk more to dad about this. Some years he didn't even want to get a tree, let alone gifts. That's where the nickname "The grinch" comes in. (Maybe it was the stress of buying gifts for 5 kids, and money was a little tight).
I understand that Santa represents giving. I just hate that people compare him to Christ. I think that you can talk about how Santa represents giving, but it is more important to let kids know that Christmas giving started with the gift of Gods Son. You are right, it is up to the parents on how much they spoil their kids. I also know what you mean about dad and the tree. See I think that there are great things about a tree, and the gifts. They all rsymbolize great things I also know what you mean about the grinch. It has rubbed off on David. I love giving. I love the whole idea of giving. It is one of my favorite things about Christmas. Dave gets grumpy about things that I want to give to others. He gets grumpy saying that we need to take care of ourselves first. You may be righht about dad the the whole money thing. What is it that you would like me to talk to him about the whole thing?
Oh, I would like to add that Dave and I have discussed giving our kids a few nice gifts, but pick a family to help with Christmas so they know what it is all about.
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