We feel that would be lying to our children. Calling Santa to tell him your child’s being naughty? That seems like lying and kind of mean manipulation. Just discipline your child for disobeying and move on. The “Elf on the Shelf” seems like more of the same–lying to your babies.
We want our children to trust us, to believe us in all things and getting them to think a make-believe person is real would drastically deter from that end.
And of course, we want our chiddlers to remember that Christmas is a celebration of the coming of the Christ child. Even though it was originally a Pagan holiday, even though Jesus wasn’t really born in December, we now use this day to honor His coming. The light of God in human form. An undertaking, a promise, a gift I’ll never really be able to comprehend. A grace I don’t deserve. A forgiveness I could never be grateful enough for.
To honor God sending His Son to sacrifice for our sin? So I could be face to face with the Perfect Holy One who is our Heavenly Father? I don’t know why He allowed us to be worthy, but am so thankful He did. That’s what we celebrate.
We think it’s cute, but as a main part of Christmas,
we feel like this.
At our life group meeting the other week, one of the leaders read to us the history of St. Nick, and although I'm "old" 🙂 I had never heard it before. It was really interesting, and made the whole Santa Clause thing make more sense to me, but it has turned into something so much more than it was ever intended to be from long ago. We look at it as you do…a fun thing, but definitely not the true reason we celebrate!
We do the same. Santa is funny, a cute story, but like a fairy tale…we do not lie. Saint Nicholas was a bishop who was very generous, but didn't only wear red/white and have a big belly!!! For Christmas, it would be really nice if Christians focused on the birth of Christ, the ultimate gift from God.
Sounds like you have a wonderful well-rounded accepting and healthy approach to Christmas! Hope you have a very Merry Christmas!
That is TOO perfect a picture of Elivette to say what you mean!!! Yay!