I love Christmas and all of the trimmings. Christmas is probably my favorite holiday. Not to mention it’s my birthday too! People have often wondered if I like having my birthday on Christmas. If the truth be told, I have always felt really special that I’m a Christmas baby. I get more presents than anyone else, and I get a whole two weeks off for my birthday. I always felt bad for those kids that had to go to school on their birthdays. So yes, I like having my birthday on Christmas.
There is only one thing about Christmas that disturbs me and that is the tradition of convincing one’s child that Santa Clause is real. This makes no sense to me, and is rather appalling. For one thing, a child is lied to by the people whom they are supposed to be able to trust for the truth. The betrayal in a child’s eyes when they find out they have been extravagantly deceived should be enough to end the practice. Not to mention the uncertainty leading up to the final disappointment. What else have mom and dad lied about?
Another very disturbing thing about Santa is his God-like qualities. Here is a man who can see you when you’re sleeping, knows everything about you, and can grant you the desires of your heart if you will just ask him. Doesn’t this sound a lot like God? Instead children are asked to believe in the mythical Santa. Soon they find out mom and dad lied, but are still asked to believe in a God with those same qualities, even going to church every week to pray and sing to him. Could it seem like another elaborate charade to them – maybe even subconsciously? I say it’s a little too close.
Now, this doesn’t mean that the magic of Christmas will disappear if a child doesn’t believe in Santa. I never believed in Santa. My family would refer to Santa as he is: A mythical character started in the memory of St. Nicholas. We enjoyed the magical idea of Santa while also being grounded in the truth of Christ’s birth. So let’s focus on the true meaning and magic of Christmas, Christ our Savior born to die for the sins of mankind. Let’s see more manger scenes!
Here is a little Holiday craziness: Crazy Christmas Display. Watch and be amazed!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
I agree with you completely. I hadn't thought about the godlike qualities attributed to Santa but I see what you mean now. I did notice that according to the myth, Santa brings "gifts" but he checks if you're naughty or nice first and if you're naughty you don't get good gifts. Doesn't that make them wages, not gifts, if you have to earn them by being good? Thankfully Jesus isn't like that - His gift really is a gift - we don't have to earn it.
Ha! Very good thought Colleen. You're right. It's so twisted!
I just had one more thought. I was a little surprised to find Santa in The Chronicles of Narnia. It makes more sense to me now. He's a myth just like fauns, centuars, griffons, and talking animals - so it's no wonder he's in there.:)
Post a Comment