Here are some common objections I get when people find out that we will not do Santa in our house (note: this is just how we decided to do things in our house based on our convictions. This is not the only way to do things. The purpose of this is to help you think through things to make the best decision for your family based on your Biblical convictions. The goal is not to get more people not doing Santa, rather to get more people thinking intentionally at Christmas.)
Objection: But it is so fun and magical for the kids.
Response: True. But I am willing to have my kids miss out on this joy in hopes that they see a greater joy at Christmas. And lets be honest...what is magical about it isn't the reindeer dust or the cookies...its the fact that they get tons of toys. That doesn't have to change.
Objection: You can have both Santa and Jesus. You don't have to choose.
Response: True. Many people do both and it works out fine...but many people do both and it doesn't. The problem is you don't know which side you fall on until your kids are grown. For us, it isn't worth the risk. The stakes are far too high. (side note: Santa and Jesus are so intertwined in our culture that other countries sell a cross with Santa on it in their marketplaces. This isn't to mock us, rather it is what they think we believe based on what our culture has communicated.)
Objection: I don't want to be over the top. People who don't do Santa are the super conservative Christians who don't get out much.
Response: Don't decide what you do based on the type of people that do it. Base you decision on how you feel you can best raise you children up in the ways of the Lord.
Objection: They will ruin in for others.
Response: They might. You can try to explain to your kids what Santa is and tell them not to tell. They may or may not listen...but if you do choose to not do Santa, you need to try your hardest to protect others who do Santa.
Objection: So we shouldn't do Santa?
Response: You can still do Santa, but if you choose to do it, do it cautiously. The Santa you communicate shouldn't be omniscient, he shouldn't be about giving gifts to only the good children, he shouldn't be used to scare kids into behaving, he shouldn't be central.
Objection: I am a grandparent...what am I supposed to do with this information?
Response: Remember, it isn't about doing or not doing Santa (or other traditions). It is about communicating things Biblically. There are people who do Santa and an incredible job of communicating the purpose of Christmas and making Christ central, while at the same time there are people who don't do Santa yet don't communicate to their kids the true purpose of Christmas. It as all about what you communicate. Talk to your grandkids about what Christmas is about. Take the time to really sit down with them, you may not think they are listening, but they are. It is amazing how many people I have talked to who consider their grandparents role models and a vital part of their spiritual growth. Make this time of year an opportunity to fuel the spiritual growth of your grandkids.
Hope this helps. Happy thinking!
No comments:
Post a Comment