***These are our convictions only, this does NOT mean, I think you are sinning if you're not like us!!!***
Ok, you have to admit, you knew it was coming....That we would sooner or later be convicted about Santa, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy. Especially, since we started wearing skirts more often, I mean, really don't the two go hand in hand? ;) (Enter Sarcasm Here)
I know that I don't have to explain our convictions to you, but since I have been searching my heart and soul out trying to find the right answers on things, I thought I'd just share with you our feelings and convictions on the whole situation.
1.) No, we have not changed religions. We are just digging much deeper than we ever have before. We still believe in the Gospel and we believe there are many biblical principals from the Old Testament that Jesus did not come to change as many believe today.
2.) The Bible tells us again and again not to lie. It's even one of the Ten Commandments. Ephesians 4:25 ~ So you must stop telling lies. Tell each other the truth...
***Santa does NOT exist, he does NOT live at the North Pole, he does NOT have flying reindeer, and I could go on and on. If I continue to tell my children this, I would be lying, therefore, I would be deliberately sinning.
Now, I have had the conversation on 4 different accounts now. "Well, I know a lot of Christians out there that do Santa, and their children have turned out just fine." And here's where I stand on this:
1.) Christians "out there" do A LOT of things "Christians" aren't supposed to do. They claim to believe in God and go to church, but the Bible tells us, they are "lukewarm and He will spew them out of his mouth".
2.) God's people are to be SET APART. We are not to do or act like the world around us. God gave the Isralites almost two whole books in the Bible of rules that were to set them apart from the other heathen lands. If we give into every popular thing that goes on around us, how are we any different?
3.) Satan is very good at using Santa, to pull people away from Christ. We tell children there is a Santa and there is a God. St. Nick and Jesus Christ were both historically real people, we can prove that, but Santa and God are both not visible, when children become of age that they do not believe anymore, some have questioned whether or not God is real. (A friend of mine said he answered this to his child after they told them the truth about Christmas, by asking, how much time do I study about Santa? How much time to do I spend with God? If God were not real, why would I put so much effort into studying his Word?)
Satan even uses movies and stories about Santa to make us feel guilty about not believing. Derek loves the Polar Express (because of the train), but we have had to stop watching it so much, because it does make you feel really guilty. It even made me feel guilty about not believing, and I knew that was Satan attacking me!!
3.) It comes down to being a heart issue. God does not look at the outward appearance, the Bible tells us this again and again. He also gave us the holy spirit to guide us. Being still and listening is the most important. If something does not set well with you, then God is most likely convicting you of something. Which is what happened to us. We just kept coming back to the same old thing and it didn't feel right. Once we told the children, it was like a giant burden was lifted off of our shoulders and we could be normal around our kids. Derek had been asking lots of questions relating the North Pole to heaven and if Santa delivers presents to Hannah. And since Santa can see us when we are sleeping, does he live in heaven with God while watching us. It was just becoming too much for us. Especially having children in heaven that Derek was relating to.
How did it look for us?
Well, I definately recommend watching the Veggie Tales St. Nick movie, for small children, if you haven't already. Then, we did a history lesson about the real St. Nicholas. Who by the way, is an amazing person, and definately someone small children can look up to and learn from. Then I set the children down, for one of our serious talks. I very gently told them the truth. Needless to say, Derek, blew up, which I was prepared for. After crying and being very upset for about 10 minutes that Daddy and I had lied to him, which by the way, we had promised never to do, he calmed down and was perfectly fine with the entire issue. I explained, that we would still have Christmas, Easter, and they still could receive money for teeth.
And I will say, that this Christmas was by far, the best Christmas we have ever had. To make our Christmas more about Christ this year, we told the children, they would only be receiving 3 big gifts from us, just like Jesus, and some stocking stuffers. They did not break down and have a panic attack, their faces lit up when their 3 gifts were placed under the tree!!! They couldn't wait to open "only" 3 gifts. We also shared Christmas morning again, this year with my parents, who of course spoiled the children as normal. Which was so wonderful to have them here to see the children's faces!!!
Giving only 3 gifts also took a lot of burden off of my shoulders too, financially and time wise. There is so much hoopla around Christmas anymore, when in all reality, Christ came here very simply. The sermon on Sunday touched on this. He was born in a stable, not a castle, that he deserved. Shepards were called to come see, not rich and famous people. He was born to commoners, not well to do parents. Simple is better.
I only wish this to be an encouragment to you, not a guilt trip. I also dare you to research and read about all the true meanings behind Christmas. Research St. Nick, he was an amazing Christian, research Christmas trees, stockings, and all kinds of Christmas traditions and then do what works for your family. I pray that the main idea in your lives are Christ. No, we do not know if Christ was actually born on December 25, but it does give us a day to set aside and remember. Which is what He ask us to do....."Remember Me".
Working on our Gingerbread Stables
Working on the MM's
Decorating Cookies for the Nursing Home
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