"If you don't see the real me, you won't see what love has won..." Vota

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Why do they believe?

Ollie is watching an OLD copy (I think it may have been my cousin's when she was little and now she is a sophomore in college) of Rudolf the red nosed reindeer on VHS. This made me think about a question she asked me the other day and I thought it was blog worthy. She asked me why some people believe Santa is real. I told her that some people think it is fun to pretend and that when they get older they will know he is just a character. I also made sure she knew it was OK for them to pretend this and that she should never tell them he isn't real. Of course this is a long story if I go into our whole conversation, but she got the point.


“Why on earth would I have told her Santa wasn't real?” you may ask. Some may relate and not wonder, but for those questioning me, I'll explain.

First off, I grew up not believing in Santa, and never once did it make my Christmases any less exciting. I also never told anyone what I knew because I understood the whole thing. I just pretended right alongside them watching them get excited. I always planned on telling my children about him and letting them believe-- I saw how fun it was to pretend with my cousin and watch her believe. It was fun from the point of view that I knew he wasn't real but they really believed. I thought as a parent it would be fun to experience this with my children. When she was 2, I began telling Ollie about Santa. As soon as the story left my mouth, I got this horrible feeling that I had lied to my child. I was convicted right then. I started thinking about the lessons we had had on Jesus and really felt strongly that if I told her "lies" about Santa and Truths about Jesus (both requiring faith to believe) then at some point I was going to have to deal with the doubt it could cause (no matter the depth of the doubt) about whether or not Jesus was just pretend too. So, I told Ollie that it was just a story and Santa was a character like Winnie the Pooh or Cinderella (a man in a costume). It is fun for us to meet him and pretend just like the princesses and Mickey Mouse at Disney. She understood.

So, at our house we celebrate Jesus' birthday party at Christmas and Santa is just a fun story and character just like frosty. Santa is likened to a piñata, pin the tail on the donkey or balloons at a birthday party, not really an integral part of the purpose-- to celebrate one more year of that person’s life-- but a fun, festive part that gets your celebrating pants on.

Please do not take this as an assault on your practices at your house. Just because I believe this for my children and family in no way means I think someone is wrong for telling their kids about Santa. If it was wrong, God would tell you, not me. He told me, so it is wrong for me. (Just like I choose to stay at home and home school my children because I feel this is God's plan for me, and it may not be His plan for everyone. I will never tell someone they are wrong for not doing what I do. Who am I?) We still have fun having our picture made with Santa, and meeting him (he always has suckers).

 

39 comments:

  1. i was startled to find out yesterday that my boy believes in santa claus...we've never included santa or excluded him, and sean has always refused photo opportunities at malls and restaurants. i remember when he was 2, and a restaurant had free santa pictures. the boy hid in my shoulder. i explained to the hostess that he was stranger shy (is he ever over that!). she said, "that's no stranger, that's santa claus!" i shrugged and said, "he's a stranger in our house," and walked on. i didn't pursue it yesterday, but i think i'll ask him why he believes and exactly what he believes. i like your approach to it.

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  2. That is too funny! Just yesterday the girls were laughing, I asked why and they said, "because we learned that some people actually think there is a tooth fairy" They asked me why parents would lie. I explained (again) just like you did and even told them that when they are parents they might tell their kids to believe. I am with you in that I do not think it is wrong...not at all...but it is wrong for us.

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  4. You're sad for them or you think they are sad. I can assure you they are far from sad. If you're sad, I'm sorry I made you feel that way. I meant no harm to you. My children have an awesome life-- go figure. If not beleiving in Santa or the Tooth Fairy is the worst thing that could happen then I'll take it!

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  5. Yes, it is not at all sad for the children! Our girls are SO excited when they lose a tooth because they know Mommy or Daddy will hide a gift and Christmas? They start the countdown on Dec. 1st! It is so magical for them and it is all about Jesus and family! Can't beat that! No sad kids here!!!! Oh, and BONUS - Guess who gets credit for the coolest gifts??? US! Not a stranger!! Love it!

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  6. I still believe in Santa and I am 43 years old. I don't believe in the tooth fairy because I have lost all my teeth and she don't come no more.

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  7. Do you get suckers too? You said "we" get suckers. And why have pictures made with a mythical guy?

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  8. Then you must have as much fun at Christmas as I do! Maybe more. :)

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  9. Not usually, I am not that into suckers although I guess if I really wanted one. I actually said (he always has suckers). :)

    We get pictures made just like My hubby and I had ours made with every Disney character when we went to Disney when we were dating. It is just fun and it is free!

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  10. You are also teaching them falsely that Jesus birthday was December 25. I have read through the Bible MANY times and no where have I seen where Jesus was born on Christmas.....????? Can you give me the chapter and the verse?? Why do you think that Jesus birthday was December 25?

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  11. No, not His birthday-- His birthday party. I have yet to actually even celebrate my own daughters birthdays on their birthday and I know the minute they were born! This year, we had Ollie's a whole month before her actual birthday.

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  12. So why even celebrate Jesus birthday party in December? Why not April??

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  13. That wouldn't be as much fun. You go ahead and do that though if that's when you want to get your party pants on. I don't see anything wrong with it. But as for me and my house we will celebrate with the rest of the world. A party is much more fun with party goers, don't ya think?

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  14. Why go along with the rest of the world?? A Christian is supposed to be set apart from the world...right?

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  15. Well the rest of the worldly world celebrates Santa or the "Holidays", I celebrate with Christians all around the world. Besides this may be a great oportunity to witness to someone. This may be the only day someone goes to church. Use it for Chirst. We do it for the Lord!

    Romans 14 5One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord.

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  16. C R A Z Y The whole world is be crazy. When does it all end! My head hurts.

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  17. It's the Christmas tree that comes from the pagans. After the Catholic church started celebrating Christmas in about 400 AD, people started adding trees, bright lights,and the like into the celebration to be like those around them i.e. the pagans. If you celebrate one part, you may as well add Santa and the tooth fairy.

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  18. There is one HUGE difference. I am putting no faith in my tree. It is likened to a piñata or crepe paper at a birthday party. I am not worshiping the tree, or putting the tree up in worship to anything as the pagans did. I am sure many pagans drive mini vans too.

    If you want to go this direction-- we were never supposed to be governed by a king/ president either. The Jews wanted desperately to have a king like the pagans, and God allowed it. He filled their kings with His spirit. He gave the authority to the king. So if you want to look at it like that-- we really were never supposed to be ruled by the government, but by our hearts and by Him. But at our bidding He gave us a leader and put us under their authority.

    Also the pagans were the first ones with temples to their gods. We no longer necessarily worship in temples, but in church buildings with icons of Jesus or Holy symbols or whatever your building is decorated with. The difference here is who we are doing it for-- gods or God. Like I said, I do it for God. We look at the tree and remember who was hung on a tree for us as we celebrate His birth. Our ornaments are memories of our past (all the way back to childhood) and we hang them on the tree. We have a whole bunch of ornaments which I made that are cinnamon sticks tied together in the shape of the cross. Our tree reminds us of why our Savior was born and who owns and died for our lives/memories. The presents under the tree-- represent several things-- the joy we have under the tree He was crucified on, the gift He gave us, us laying our gifts at His feet... So it all goes back to what is in my heart. It is Jesus not Santa and I want my girls to share this with me.

    Totally up to you how you view your tree, but I am assuming you do not have one. Good for you if you think it is wrong then it is for you.

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  19. I think that you are a follower not a leader. The world, also, drinks alcohol, uses meth, has sex out of wedlock, etc, that is why it is referred to as worldly. I thought you were a "christian." Or, are you a christian only when it is conveinent? There is not one place in the BIBLE that tells us to celebrate Jesus birthday. Only his death, burial and resurrection!!!!!!!!! If his birthday were imortant for us to know GOD would have had the inspired writers of the BIBLE to reveal that to us.
    Will you allow your children to use their imagination and play make believe?????? Or read fictional books. How can you go along with the world when CHRISTIANS are to be CALLED OUT from the world and be a peculiar people. You follow a pagan holiday and put up a tree for something that is make believe????????? I am totally confused by your ramblings.

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  20. Well, I am sorry you feel this way and that what I do is a stumbling block to you.

    I believe that when the Bible is silent so should we be silent. If the Bible doesn't say we can or can't play football, then it is OK to play football unless there is a personal revelation from the Holy Spirit. If it doesn't say we should celebrate birthdays or we shouldn't then it is OK to celebrate birthdays and be thankful for God's gift of the child, another year older, what ever once again unless the Holy Spirit tells you personally otherwise. It never says to eat turkey to give thanks for Thanksgiving either.

    Now about alcohol-- Jesus drank it. Jesus made it as His very first miracle. Hmmm... not sure of the point here which you are trying to make...unless it is about drunkenness and becoming overtaken by something other than the Holy Spirit????

    If you want to get technical about how we are to live, there is not one instance where the believers of the Way met in church buildings, used hymnals, had Bibles, wore high healed shoes, had carpet in their homes, had zippers on their pants, had running water or electricity, I could go on for days... THE POINT IS What is in your heart. Who are you living for. I am living for Jesus and if you can't see that... well how could you, you don't know me:) . It all comes down to the fact that Jesus came and made a new covenant-- one in which He took the place of the law. We could have never and still can not do everything or anything good enough. He did not give us a list of laws, He gave us himself as a testimony to the Truth. The Deciever is the one who tries to trip us up on technicalities. None of us is going to miss heaven on a technicality-- Jesus nailed them to the cross. Just love Jesus and the rest will fall into place!

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  21. OH yeah, and No I AM NO LEADER. I would never presume to be a leader. I might in my human weakness do everything I can to point the way to the ONLY LEADER there is-- Jesus.

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  22. Oh yeah and about the make believe-- they play it and know that when they put on the wings they are not really a butterfly. They read fiction, but know it is fiction; Don't you? They read the Bible and know it is the True and Living Word of God and have reverence for it unlike their fairy tale books. I teach them the Truth.

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  23. 1 corinthians 6:12- everything is permissible for me--but i will not be mastered by anything.

    1 corinthians 10:23- everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial. everything is permissible, but not everything is constructive.

    so none of us, whether we display our names or not, may judge others without reason.

    Matthew 7:2- for the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

    finally, we do celebrate Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection...but we don't do it on the days it occurred. easter's date changes every year, and the name "easter" is a derivative of"ostara", a pagan goddess. are christian's celebrating a pagan holiday (holy day) then, or are we honoring christ?

    how could it possibly be wrong to celebrate Jesus ANY time of the year?

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  24. Also computers and making comments on a blog are not mentioned in the Bible. So maybe anon should quit doing that too.

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  25. :P --I am in control and will reject rude comments from now on on this post. If you have a sincere question I would love to answer it.

    If you are being frustratingly mean and obtuse on purpose and not trying to initiate an actual conversation out of genuine interest in conflicting opinions, just trying to fluster me and trip me up (a stumbling block)... We all known real people like this, but they thrive online under the anonymous label. They feel better when they squash someone else. They're bullies. ...my response to you is, "you're entitled to your opinion. It's okay that we disagree."

    Thanks Tana for the words of wisdom!

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  26. I usually don't write on blogs, but I think that I should speak to the drinking position you have taken.I do believe that Jesus drank the intoxicating wine. If he did, there would not be so many scriptures condemning alcoholic beverages. By using a good Bible dictionary, we can define the different Bibical mentioning of wine. The Hebrew terms for wine "Yayin" rendered wine and strong drink "shechar".
    "Yayin is found 141 times in the Old Testament. It can mean (a) a grape vine (Num. 6:4); (b) products of the vineyard that can be gathered, drunk, or eaten (Deut. 28:39; Jer. 40: 10,12); the liquid that comes from the winepress (Isa. 16:10; Jer. 48:33); or (d) fermented grape juice (Prov. 23:31).

    "Yayin" is a general term referring to a variety of products from the grape vine ("all sorts of wint" Neh. 5:18), and the context in which the term is employed will determine its meaning in a given circumstance.

    Similarly, "shechar" (23 times as a noun in the Old Testament) was used by ancient writers to denote: (a) sweet syrups (the term is related to our words "sigar" and "saccharine") such as the honey of dates or palm strup. It was employed for sweet drings and articles of food; (b) "date or palm wine in its fresh and unfermented state" This came from the Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature by John Kitto. There were intoxicating beverages from non-grape products (e.g. date palm juice and grains Isa. 5:11).

    What does the Bible say about strong dring?
    Proverbs 20:1
    Ecclesiastes 10:19
    Proverbs 31:7; Proverbs 23:32; Proverbs 23:19-21; Proverbs 23:29-35. Many, many more.

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  27. I will ask you one question. Have you ever poured a child a glass of juice and left it in the heat over night-- even a hot house with no air conditioner-- for that matter in the air conditioner? I have, it is not juice for long. I imagine having fermented juice was the only way to have it except straight from the vineyard. Also the Nazarite vow would be ludicrous if it were not ok to drink the wine outside of the vow. This vow was a vow to God which was temporary for it's takers (even a woman :) could take it FYI) other than John the Baptist, Sampson, Samuel... a few life timers). Paul himself took the vow going into Corinth because he knew that the corruption was so immense that he had to stand firm in his faith, so he made the vow and had nothing to compromise his stance. They typically watered down the wine to make it last longer and so it was no where near as strong as a glass of wine for us is, they were not able to drink water by itself (so I have read--of course I wasn't there). Also Paul instructs Timothy to have a glass of wine for his stomach. There is quite a bit of specualtion of what was wrong with his stomach, but really who knows but God? (AND what effect would plain grape juice have in calming nerves, setting an upset tummy, killing bad bacteria--back to that nasty water again-- Also the wine became vinegar as it got older and so the lower class drank it because it was cheaper, I would think grape juice would be unobtainable for the poor. This is also what they offered Jesus on the cross to drink. Jesus drank wine for the Jewish festivals like passover... and He says He will drink it again with us in Heaven.

    I am not sure what your point was seeing as you agreed that Jesus drank wine. The Bible warns of being overtaken by the spirit of the wine (as in the first verse you posted). About being a drunkard-- this doesn't mean drinking period, it meand too much-- becoming drunk. Just like Paul warns against gluttony not eating. Jesus warns about being overcome with money and possesions not having money and possesions. So I agree with you that the Bible warns against the drink. It warns against being overwhelmed by anything-- food, money, lust, anger... I think we are saying the same thing. There is a time for everything, even wine, food, lust, money...

    However-- if the Holy Spirit is convicting you that you are to totally abstain do not let me be a stumbling block what so ever. Follow what the Holy Spirit tells you not me. I am no authority. He is.

    I am curious why you do not name yourself and go anonymous if you are serious.

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  28. again i say, everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial. everything is permissible, but i will not be mastered by anything. i think Jesus drank wine because that's what there was to drink. when He turned water (un-potable) to wine, the host at the wedding was shocked! why? because Jesus turned it into high quality wine. at such events, the good wine was served first, then as folk were buzzed and less discriminating, cheaper wine would be brought out. but this poor host miscalculated, and he was in for embarrassing times- he ran out of wine. major faux pas. so Jesus mom stepped in and asked Jesus to smooth it over- and he did, with flair. so the host was saved and everyone thought, what a generous guy! we're all kind of toasted, but he's still serving the good stuff! I think it's fine for us to drink, as long as we display responsibility and self-control.

    i agree with kristan- if you're convicted that alcohol is forbidden to you, by all means, don't drink it! i believe that in moderation is not forbidden to me, nor does it separate me from jesus.

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  29. FYI-- this is too cool to pass up the opportunity for me to share something about the wedding at Cana story... I either learned this from Dennis or David-- my 2 favorite preachers...
    Go read it first-- John 2... done? OK, when Jesus was asked to do this He responded His time had not come, but Mamma wouldn't have it-- she knew, as moms do (that was me not David or Dennis there :)) anyhow He told them to get the ceremonial jars filled with water (which would have been used not for drinking, but here is the cool part-- for purification purposes.) Jesus took that water and turned it into wine as His first miracle... get the symbolism here. He transformed the water of purification into what HE would later liken to His blood which purifies us. Chills... soooo cool! And not just any wine the best new wine (not vinegar!!!!) the BEST. Isn't this representative of His blood too? Thank you to Dennis or David that made that point so clear. Or maybe it was Beth Moore??? I can't remember who showed me this, but thank you!

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  30. The line should have been I do not believe that Jesus drank the intoxicating wine.

    If everything is permissible, murder is permissible if one does not believe that it is wrong. The everything permissible is not the argument to be made.

    Who is the Tana. Did you bring in the reserves?

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  31. OK, so that is what you gleened from that?
    You must be new to my blog. Tana is a faithful reader and is always very helpful and insightful to me. There have been times when she has disagreed with me and we have both been blessed by discussion. Right Tana?

    Murder-- really that is your... the best you can compare drinking alcohol to? Like I said, do not let me be a stumbling block to you. The Holy Spirit obviously doesn't want you to drink!You do not have to explain yourself to me. Obviously it isn't going to be a bad thing to abstain.

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  32. i kind of like, "the tana."

    Jesus said, "love your neighbor as yourself." unless you're suicidal, you can't do that AND commit murder. also, 1 corinthians 6:12 says everything is permissible to me, but i will not be mastered by anything. people who kill people are mastered by something- rage, hate, vengeance, passion, power, money...the list goes on. since i will not be mastered by anything or anyone but Christ, murder is out of the question. however, if i occasionally have a drink with friends, i'm not being ruled by anything (i don't even drink enough for a slight buzz. the extra calories are NOT beneficial or constructive). if you're convicted that drinking alcohol at all is sin, by all means, abstain! the same goes for driving a car, wearing make-up, eating pork, or disco dancing. if you feel like a behavior or attitude is separating you from Jesus, stay clear of it! but don't insist that it's sin for everyone. i love the Lord my God with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my mind, and with all my strength, and i strive to love my neighbor as i love myself. you don't get to dictate to me what hurts that relationship.

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  33. I think you two are engaging in what is called situation ethics. Everything is relative. If it feels good for you and you think that you are hurting no one else, go ahead and do it. If something is wrong for you, don't do it, but if someone else wants to engage in whatever, the go ahead.

    I would certainly hate to be "buzzed" from alcohol when I meet Jesus.

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  34. Very good point! I must agree with you. There are many things I hope that I am not doing at the time of His return. Makes a person think!

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  35. All you people are crazy. You argue like two year olds. Get a life. Don't hide behing your computer. GROW UP children.

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  36. Anon, you are right. There is much too much argument on my part (I can't control what other anons write, but I can choose not to publish them-- you should see the ones I don't publish.) Anyway, I really do not intend for my responses to be argumentative-- though they are often-- I apologize to all of my readers whom I have argued with. I do try to clarify and explain my positions using the Bible. I want to share what I have learned and am learning. It is so hard to read a tone of a person, but know that even in my worst I am really saying it out of a deep love for my Lord. I just want everyone to know Him like I do. Thanks!

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  37. yea, i'm definitely hiding behind my computer. that's why my real name is honestly posted on everything i write. discussing conflicting opinions doesn't have to be arguing- it can be politely discussing. it's one of many ways that we learn from each other and provoke thought. re: situational ethics and the discussion of drinking: i think i've more than stated my point, so i've nothing further to say on the subject. i don't have an agenda, no one has to agree with me. it is amazing how we got from santa's reality or lack thereof to whether or not alcohol is a sin. :)

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  38. It is like my blog has turned into a forum. Maybe I ought to go with that. Have a forum type discussion on one post each week. It seems people really get into discussing certain topics. I wonder how this would work. I imagine I would learn a lot from my readers. I'll think about this.

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  39. I like the forum idea!!!!! You and "The Tana" make some good points! Anon should follow their own criticism and say who THEY are instead of hiding behind "anon".

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