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RE: Christmas only for Turkeys? - 8/11/2009 9:03:00 AM
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TheTartanTammy
Posts: 810
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From: North Britain!!!!
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quote:
ORIGINAL: ManimalX
Christmas: yes. It's the most wonderful time of the year! Good music, good snowy weather, good food with good family and friends...
Santa: no way. I can never quite wrap my head around the fact that folks are happy with lying to their kids. I'm with Tammy and the others who think that just isn't very good witness, and I have personally known kids who ended up having some severe trust issues with their parents over this very subject.
Is it a fun story? Sure it can be. But my job is to help my children know God, to be an example to them in everything I do, and to teach them how to think critically. None of those things are accomplished by lying to them about a fantasy story.
Glad I am not a lone voice concerning satan (oops) I mean santa. Its so easy to get these ones who guise as angels of light mixed up!!
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TheTartanTammy
Isa 40: 11
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RE: Christmas only for Turkeys? - 8/11/2009 10:19:43 AM
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WesP
Posts: 1444
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From: Where God needs me to be
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quote:
ORIGINAL: TheTartanTammy
quote:
ORIGINAL: ManimalX
Christmas: yes. It's the most wonderful time of the year! Good music, good snowy weather, good food with good family and friends...
Santa: no way. I can never quite wrap my head around the fact that folks are happy with lying to their kids. I'm with Tammy and the others who think that just isn't very good witness, and I have personally known kids who ended up having some severe trust issues with their parents over this very subject.
Is it a fun story? Sure it can be. But my job is to help my children know God, to be an example to them in everything I do, and to teach them how to think critically. None of those things are accomplished by lying to them about a fantasy story.
Glad I am not a lone voice concerning satan (oops) I mean santa. Its so easy to get these ones who guise as angels of light mixed up!!
The OP asked for others thoughts. Some were given. Since you disagree, you should have just stated that Christmas can only be celebrated the way you do it, and Santa will send you to hell. I understand where you are coming from concerning Santa, and that is all well and good. The comments like the one above are judgmental and out-of-bounds. Discussion is good; condemnation of your fellow brothers and sisters who have a different opinion is something else entirely. I echo the last statement Memaw posted. God bless.
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RE: Christmas only for Turkeys? - 8/11/2009 10:41:06 AM
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mvic
Posts: 1893
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Hi Tammy,
You wish people to be serious about this subject: OK.
Most people would agree with you that Christmas has been over-commercialised; and that there are many starving in the world whilst we're enjoying Christmas.
This being said - it is up to each individual how they celebrate Christmas - be they Christians or not.
Of course, Christians have not forgotten the true meaning of Christmas and many celebrate it in prayers and meditation of what God did for us.
But it does not mean that if they enjoy a good meal and a drink then they are wrong. Which is what you imply.
It also does not mean that if they tell their children about Santa then they are also doing wrong, they are lying, and it is a sin.
You may think it is wrong and a sin. I'll accept that. But it does not make you right and I wrong for dressing up in red and a funny white beard.
And please ... stop calling Santa - satan.
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RE: Christmas only for Turkeys? - 8/11/2009 10:53:58 AM
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doinkdom
Posts: 5589
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: The higher lowcountry
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Serious thoughts? Yes, I have a few...
What are we commanded to do as Christians? Preach the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ...yes? Love our neighbors, etc.
Then why do we want to sequester ourselves from one of about 4 times during a traditional year where we can walk out the gospel with our neighbors and friends?
In our home, we love the holiday season...it affords countless opportunities to serve our neighbors, begin or continue relationships with unbelievers, etc. We spend very little on actual gifts, but we do have a "grab bag" type basket for kids of anyone who visits us during the season. I buy dollar store items and tie them up in Christmas bags along with a candy cane.
We celebrate our family on Christmas Eve and on Christmas morning, we open our home to friends, family and personal invites to local soldiers who can't get home and anyone else left alone during this time.
What better way to show the love of our Lord?
I get being annoyed at the commericalism, the marketing, etc. but as of last year, I am much more annoyed at the amount of commercialism devoted to halloween. It's August and every store has their halloween displays already up.
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Rest assured, dear friends, that where your pleasure is, there your heart is.
- Charles Spurgeon
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RE: Christmas only for Turkeys? - 8/11/2009 11:07:37 AM
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Sophie11
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I can't understand the whole telling your kids about santa = you scarring them with your lies.
Parents actually tell lots of "lies" to their kids if you really want to classify everything as a lie.
TV rots your brain.
Your face will get stuck if you cross your eyes or stick out your tongue.
Such and such pet "ran away".
You're the cutest boy/girl in the world.
The police will throw you in jail if you <insert any minor illegality that would never actually involve arrest or imprisonment>.
I could think of a lot more if I wanted to. For the most part the "lies" parents tell kids are for the child's own good. They work along with the childrens' overly active imaginations and keep them out of trouble and/or provide them with wonderful characters they believe in and love to hear about.
Big deal.
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RE: Christmas only for Turkeys? - 8/11/2009 11:22:49 AM
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doinkdom
Posts: 5589
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I was fascinated by Santa as a kid...read everything I could find. And when I read about the story/legend and the one commonality in nearly all of the Santas - German, Italian, Turkish, etc. etc. - is they were all gift-givers for a variety of reasons.
That's the santa we refer to...not the mall santa, but the legend of gift giving.
IMO, comparing the name Santa to Satan is nothing more than a conspiracy theory without any basis.
One of my favorite things during the holiday is receiving a card from a dear friend whose return address is Santa Claus, IN. LOL isn't that too cute? 
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Rest assured, dear friends, that where your pleasure is, there your heart is.
- Charles Spurgeon
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Christmas only for Turkeys? - 8/11/2009 11:26:14 AM
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PinkCarnations
Posts: 10787
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quote:
ORIGINAL: doinkdom
One of my favorite things during the holiday is receiving a card from a dear friend whose return address is Santa Claus, IN. LOL isn't that too cute?
That's not too far from me. It's a neat town.
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RE: Christmas only for Turkeys? - 8/11/2009 11:27:42 AM
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doinkdom
Posts: 5589
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quote:
ORIGINAL: PinkCarnations
quote:
ORIGINAL: doinkdom
One of my favorite things during the holiday is receiving a card from a dear friend whose return address is Santa Claus, IN. LOL isn't that too cute?
That's not too far from me. It's a neat town.
I bet it's way fun after Thanksgiving...
_____________________________
Rest assured, dear friends, that where your pleasure is, there your heart is.
- Charles Spurgeon
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RE: Christmas only for Turkeys? - 8/11/2009 11:28:50 AM
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PinkCarnations
Posts: 10787
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quote:
ORIGINAL: doinkdom
quote:
ORIGINAL: PinkCarnations
quote:
ORIGINAL: doinkdom
One of my favorite things during the holiday is receiving a card from a dear friend whose return address is Santa Claus, IN. LOL isn't that too cute?
That's not too far from me. It's a neat town.
I bet it's way fun after Thanksgiving...
I haven't been brave enough to go there then. 
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Thank you Veterans.
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RE: Christmas only for Turkeys? - 8/11/2009 11:31:16 AM
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doinkdom
Posts: 5589
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: The higher lowcountry
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_____________________________
Rest assured, dear friends, that where your pleasure is, there your heart is.
- Charles Spurgeon
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RE: Christmas only for Turkeys? - 8/11/2009 12:25:06 PM
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TheTartanTammy
Posts: 810
Joined: 12/2/2008
From: North Britain!!!!
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: mvic
Hi Tammy,
You wish people to be serious about this subject: OK.
Most people would agree with you that Christmas has been over-commercialised; and that there are many starving in the world whilst we're enjoying Christmas.
This being said - it is up to each individual how they celebrate Christmas - be they Christians or not.
Of course, Christians have not forgotten the true meaning of Christmas and many celebrate it in prayers and meditation of what God did for us.
But it does not mean that if they enjoy a good meal and a drink then they are wrong. Which is what you imply.
It also does not mean that if they tell their children about Santa then they are also doing wrong, they are lying, and it is a sin.
You may think it is wrong and a sin. I'll accept that. But it does not make you right and I wrong for dressing up in red and a funny white beard.
And please ... stop calling Santa - satan.
OP - "With the onset of August, Christmas begins to creep into our thinking more and more ( )! But seriously! With the west being more prone to celebrating a Christless Christmas, should real Christians celebrate it quietly without all of the wordly razzamatazz, glitter, greed and the trimmings?
It seems to me if they (the world) want to do Christmas without Christ, then we should want to do it without all stuff that just makes it a sham!
Any thoughts?
P.S. As an aside, is it wrong for Christians to teach their children about a Santa who doesn't exist, whilst the world ignore a God who does?"
The reason that I opened this thread was to provoke discussion, which I seem to have achieved. I am also delighted to see that I am not alone in my concerns about Christmas and good old santa (or is that stana?  ).
So, with that I will bow out now having achieved what I wanted to.
Thank you all for your contributions, especially those who differ in their opinions to mine!!
_____________________________
TheTartanTammy
Isa 40: 11
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RE: Christmas only for Turkeys? - 8/11/2009 12:57:09 PM
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doinkdom
Posts: 5589
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: The higher lowcountry
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I think my post was serious and thoughtful response to the OP.
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Rest assured, dear friends, that where your pleasure is, there your heart is.
- Charles Spurgeon
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RE: Christmas only for Turkeys? - 8/11/2009 1:08:46 PM
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rcjames
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Joined: 7/15/2005
From: Oklahoma
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quote:
ORIGINAL: doinkdom
I think my post was serious and thoughtful response to the OP.
And I concur doinkdom.
Thanks
RC
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RE: Christmas only for Turkeys? - 8/11/2009 1:47:52 PM
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NiceGuy
Posts: 634
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From: The Great State of Confusion
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***Incoming Message from the Big Giant Head ***
If I have children, they'll be taught from an early age that the gifts they receive are from their parents, not Santa, and that the reason for the gift-giving is a cultural one, to celebrate Christ's birth. There will be no trips to the mall for pictures with Santa. There will be no cookies left by the fireplace for Santa. Yes, all of the fun and magical stuff that kids enjoy most. 
I don't believe it's a good idea to introduce children to the idea of a fictional all-seeing figure with the power to reward behavior (or punish with a lump of coal and no gifts), then turn around and teach them about God. I'm well aware that there are Christians today who survived the revelation of the truth after they grew old enough to realize that Santa isn't real, but that's not the road I intend to travel with my own children. But then, I've always bucked the system. I got into trouble as a 4 year old for arguing with the other children about Santa. I was staunchly in the non believing category. 
Christmas is far too commercialized, but it's possible to enjoy the holiday season without falling prey to the commercial hype. It's one of my most favorite times of the year because my family thoroughly enjoys the events and celebrations we attend and the family traditions we continue. For some, Christmas is a day, maybe a week off from work depending on what day it falls in the week. For my family, it's a month-long time of togetherness and celebration. I wouldn't have it any other way.
NiceGuy 
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RE: Christmas only for Turkeys? - 8/11/2009 2:19:00 PM
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Marcus.
Posts: 2209
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It's interesting that the Early Church celebrated the Resurrection and didn't seem to care about the incarnation. Even in our own country Christmas wasn't celebrated until recently. During the founding of the country some states actually prohibited celebration of Christmas. It was looked upon as a pagan feast.
Just some food for thought.
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