Christmas and Santa

[Sissy]

Originally Posted by Just_A_Mom

BTW, I LOVE the shocked little boy pic...ROFL!!!!

That was a Norman Rockwell drawing. He was rather masterful at "a picture paints a thousand words".

[JADE]

JAM, you bring up many good concerns along with many phobias. First I'll tell you how I handled it while my kids were of that age.

I allowed them to look forward to Santa, the Easter Bunny, etc. all the while they were being told the real reason for the season. I also let them believe in the tooth fairy and other little children things.

As I saw them get old enough to handle more info they got it. And I always told them that because they are young they would not understand some of the truths that older people understand and that as they got older I told them more and in more detail.

Sex, politics, and many other things also falls in this category. I am not lieing to them as much as I am only giving them things they can handle at their age and also things they are going to be exposed to in the secular society they live in.

I know you home school, so I would expect that you could and would handle things a bit differently than us that have to expose our kids to the secular school system. It would do our kids no good to go to school telling all the other kids there is no such thing as Santa. But I'm sure they knew it before the secular kids and when they did, they were also mature enough to know not to tease the others that still didn't.

I also taught them at a young age that commercials and such are there to make money and do not tell the truth most of the time. I would point out things that even at their age they could understand. So to this day, you don't see my kids being influenced by TV even though they are able to watch it. And since I didn't deprive them of watching TV, they are able to do with out it anytime they wish. My son rarely watches it or plays his PS2, he has other interests and he has no desire to fulfill something he missed as a kid(since he didn't miss it)

My kids have never called me a liar and they still understand there are things I chose not to talk about. We let them know there was no real Santa before the kids at school did, and I think that is what is important. I think the parents that still believe in Santa that have to be told by their kids they are wrong are the ones that are messed up. LOL

As far as that person that initially brought this topic up, I have my ideas about who he was and everything he was saying was all just a sham. So not only do I doubt very much that he ever dressed as Santa, I doubt very much that he ever spread the word of Christ.

But if a Santa happens to whisper in a childs ear that Jesus is the reason for the season, the only one that is going to be "hurt" or in shock are the atheists. (and frankly, after all the damage they have done, I don't really care)

As far as the Santa at our Christian preschool, he spoke only of Jesus and then told the story of the nice man that has been honored(not worshipped) as a giver of gifts and good tidings. And that Santa was a Christian that believed in Jesus and was inspired to be so caring and giving by the Word of God. So no one there got confused about the difference of Santa and Jesus.

I hope that clears up my approach to it. While I'm deathly against Santa taking Jesus place in our hearts and minds, he is no threat to me, my family or our faith. We have to live in this secular world that is full of anti-Christian junk, we can either ignore or hide from it, or explain and expose it for what it is.

Just remember though that when raising our young ones you begin with milk and slowly introduce the solid foods. You are not lieing to them when you tell them they are not ready to eat solid food and that all they get is milk for now. But to introduce the solid food too soon can be just as dangerous or more dangerous than holding off a bit and allowing them the milk until they are ready.

[Being Conformed]

Originally Posted by Just_A_Mom

BC, Jade and I have carried this over from another conversation.

Yes, it's really happening.

The santa in question has some really weirded out ideas about salvation and Jesus.

Okay, I feel still left out in the dark - could someone PLEASE Enlighten me send a pm if you don't want to respond - just don't leave me out here in the cold dark night.

:elff :satanfork

[Sissy]

It was Gabriel at CWS.

Started at post #20 on the thread titled Comment on "what do you do?"

[Being Conformed]

That's what I kind of thought. I don't know that 'gabriel' really does that line of work - he did show his multiple personalities after being banned and stated he was an atheist. One minute he is saved the next he is not then is is BB from GA Bayou.

As I stated even if he never made those comments; there are all kinds out there. Give it to God. Really, I was disappointed and it may have affected my trust being told those things; but God entered into my life despite them.

[Invisible_2_no1]

Well, I'm hoping something someone said would make him question why he believes the way he does.

If God is working there, hopefully he'll see truth.

I don't wish him any ill will.

[Stan]

Originally Posted by Being Conformed

That's what I kind of thought. I don't know that 'gabriel' really does that line of work - he did show his multiple personalities after being banned and stated he was an atheist. One minute he is saved the next he is not then is is BB from GA Bayou.

As I stated even if he never made those comments; there are all kinds out there. Give it to God. Really, I was disappointed and it may have affected my trust being told those things; but God entered into my life despite them.

Where did Gabriel state he was an atheist?

[Being Conformed]

I will pm you as I feel that this is more open than it should be with names and such.

Point is he said many things including that Jesus was his 'mentor' he did not confess Jesus as Lord and Savior despite many attempts.

Thanks.

[Being Conformed]

Originally Posted by Just_A_Mom

Well, I'm hoping something someone said would make him question why he believes the way he does.

If God is working there, hopefully he'll see truth.

I don't wish him any ill will.

I agree. He did'nt seem to want to listen, but perhaps it took root.

[Stan]

Why do you suppose he did that?

It was about fifteen minutes after he posted as Gabriel that he allegedly started posting as BB and then had eight post in thirty five minutes, give or take. Then came the shout box at the same time of his last post and was short lived.

Since the IP was the same, I assume, have you checked that same IP with other banned posters? He reminds me of a certain someone who is purposely inarticulate at times to hide who he is. But he's smart. The fact that he called you guys 'fundies' and said what he did about 'theory and fact' might be a give-away.

He was basically setting everyone up. So we need to be more careful how we approach people.

My opinion is that he was handled badly.....again.
He got what he wanted and that's what he wanted everyone to see.


I could be wrong on this,
so take it with a grain of salt.

[Stan]

On subject:

Rom 9:27
Isaiah also crieth concerning Israel,
Though the number of the children of Israel
be as the sand of the sea,
a remnant shall be saved:
Rom 9:28
For he will finish the work,
and cut it short in righteousness:
because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.
Rom 9:29
And as Isaiah said before,
Except the Lord of Hosts had left us a seed,
(His elect of Israel)
we had been as Sodom,
and been made like unto Gomorrah.


I don't picture one of God's sent ones playing 'santa' to witness truth.

[Sissy]

Would it be a lie to perpetuate the notion that Christ was born on Dec. 25th, and continuing to celebrate it as such?

I'm not getting too upset about all the fuss about whether a nativity scene should be allowed in public. Afterall, this is NOT the season of the birth of Christ.
Why should a Christian go on pretending that it is?

How come we keep letting this lie continue?

And what about all the lying Christmas cards?
Like the ones that have 3 wise at the manger scene?
Or the ones that have the lamb lying down with the lion?

How come we don't throw a fit when we see the bible misqoted with the wrong season and the wrong pictures????
Is it because we are too weak to let go of this man-made tradition?

[Invisible_2_no1]

I'm not too weak.

I let my voice be heard.

My kids know, my family knows how I feel. They (extended) think I'm nuts, (okay, but they say it behind my back) and I don't care.

There's alot of people out there that don't do the santa thing. I find alot of families in the homeschool area use this time to outreach to others. People are more open to it.

Yes, it's out of season, but people for some reason are usually more "tolerant" of the Christ message. I just hope the ground isn't stone where the seeds are being scattered.

You never know, one might take root.

And yes, I think man is so steeped in man-made tradition that to break it would be like total rebellion.

I am a rebel of one.

Just watch out, I got me a sharp stick and I'll poke you with it...LOL!

[Invisible_2_no1]

Originally Posted by Stan

My opinion is that he was handled badly.....again.
He got what he wanted and that's what he wanted everyone to see.

Agreed.

[Invisible_2_no1]

Here's a timely poem for you all:




It was the month before Christmas
and all through our land
Not a Christian was praying
or taking a stand.

Why the Politically Correct Police

had taken away,
The reason for Christmas - no one could say.
The children were told by their schools

not to sing,
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.

It might hurt people's feelings,

the teachers would say
December 25th is just a "Holiday".
Yet the shoppers were ready with

cash, checks and credit
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!

CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod ,
Something was changing, something quite odd!
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.

But as Targets were hanging their trees

upside down
At Lowe's the word Christmas -

was no where to be found.
At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears
You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.

Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty
Are words that were used to intimidate me.
Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton,

Wolf Blitzen
On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!

At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.
And we spoke not a word, as they took away

our faith
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace.
The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded

The reason for the season, stopped before it started.
So as you celebrate "Winter Break" under your "Dream Tree"
Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.
Choose your words carefully, choose what you say

Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, not Happy Holiday,
Our Countries were founded under the Christian way.

To our "guests" I can say, if you don't like it

You don't have to stay!!



Comment by Mom: it doesn't matter the wrongness of the season, because it will all eventually be a bad dream. This country will be void of "christmas" with Christ being the center of it anyways. Now how's that for a negative thing coming out of this usually positive and upbeat momma????

GOING TO GET MY COFFEE NOW....