Today is my daughter's birthday, and it is also St. Nicholas' Day!
I have two brief thoughts that I want to share this Advent season, on the subject of Santa Claus. And they are both anectdotes about my, now, four-year-old daughter. :)
1) Last night, we had a birthday party for Ana. It was a great time, and at the end, my wife started to give out little gift bags for the children who came. Ana saw this happening and excitedly asked, "What else can we give away?" I praise God that, while she was very enthusiastic about receiving her gifts -- thanks everyone! -- she was also very interested in giving gifts! Luke writes, that Paul said, that Jesus said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). Amen! Beware greed!
Segue: We do not want to deceive our children into "believing in" Santa Clause. I have too many thoughts on this to attempt to explain here. Here are three brief scripture which I think support my case, but even moreso, I hope this anectdote will suffice to illustrate.
2) The weekend before Thanksgiving was Light-Up Night in downtown Pittsburgh. We went into one building which was all decked out. Ana looked across the crowd from where we were, and exclaimed, "Look! There's a man all dressed up as Santa Claus!" That was one of my most proud moments, I think.
Some obvservations: she clearly recognized the jolly, old character. She was even excited about him! BUT she was not deceived into thinking that this was Santa Claus himself. I don't know about your kids, but my kids "make believe" all the time: various stories come to life in our household, with all of us playing different parts. And while in the game, we are strictly in character, we all know who we are in reality.
Kids know how to pretend! Children need not be lied to to enjoy Santa Claus. That statement stands by itself. But, more importantly, nothing should overshadow the reason we celebrate Christmas (i.e. the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (John 1:14)) or the Season of Advent (i.e. remembering Jesus' first coming even as we anticipate his return). Doing so is distracting, at best. But, it seems to me, sadly, that Santa and gifts are typically far more than a mere distration...
I shall now step down from my soap box, for the time being, and direct you to: Wikipedia info on Santa origins. :)
Happy Advent, and enjoy the Christ's Mass!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
2 comments:
(I posted this on Facebook, but thought I'd post this here as well.)
I really like what you had to say, Jeff. My parents raised me without telling me Santa was real, and, like Ana, I just thought it was an interesting story. The Christmas season is no less awe-inspiring without Santa Claus if you're constantly hearing about the miraculous birth of baby Jesus and how he would later save the world.
Also, I think knowing my parents got the presents for me really made me very thankful, especially when I realized how times could be tough financially. I've been very appreciative of them. Santa can't get me greater gift because my parents are greater than Santa and God infinitely more so. And later I became more and more excited to give to my siblings and parents.
I read this post, then went through and looked at all the photos of the kids -- Ana and Zeke get more beautiful and amazing by the day, it seems! Not that I'm surprised. I hope to come and see you guys in Pittsburgh, before Ana gets all grown up and forgets who I am!
She's already a great little theologian -- keep teaching her by word and by deed!
My love to you, Kelly and the kids,
Anne Kruk
Post a Comment