tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27767365.post1052075163988096094..comments2023-11-05T04:58:26.454-06:00Comments on mothering in grace: the s word~Shylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01440993924996744856noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27767365.post-21579470116642271792009-01-26T17:17:00.000-06:002009-01-26T17:17:00.000-06:00love this post, your research really helped me.love this post, your research really helped me....https://www.blogger.com/profile/06941052335132066241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27767365.post-54622555513199790642009-01-09T08:32:00.000-06:002009-01-09T08:32:00.000-06:00Great post and I love your blog. We just adopted ...Great post and I love your blog. We just adopted our little girl last year and this was the first Christmas she kind of knew what was going on. We have decided to not "do" Santa either and our friends think we're nuts.<BR/>It's partly religious reasons, partly because we think the truth is the most important thing.<BR/>We did go see "Santa" just for fun, but I totally plan to teach her he is a character, like in a book.<BR/>I'm still not sure how we will handle that all her little friends will be doing "Santa Things", but I'm sure we'll figure it out.<BR/>I'm going to use some of your ideas next year to teach her about the real reason for Christmas. <BR/>Thank you!Nicolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00994937261069028024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27767365.post-80072225124040306272009-01-01T23:59:00.000-06:002009-01-01T23:59:00.000-06:00Dear Shyla, I LOVE you. Thank you for taking the t...Dear Shyla, I LOVE you. Thank you for taking the time to research and flesh out the ideas that clank around in my head. When Judah was two, he saw someone dressed as Santa and said to my mom, "Look, Nana! It's Noah!" My mom cracked up. She did the Santa thing with us, and when I discovered the truth, I felt betrayed and angry. I often referred to him as Satan Claus growing up. I'm the only one in my family who is strongly against the Santa tradition, so your post is refreshing and affirming for me. This year, Judah asked me who Santa is, so we looked him up on Wikipedia and I read him the article. Ever since a Messianic Jewish friend said something about people treating Santa as God, I've had new glasses. She would love this post as much as I do. I'll have to pass it on. You're amazing. Thank you again!Lorihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08755844254207753263noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27767365.post-45589539545704264532008-12-23T23:15:00.000-06:002008-12-23T23:15:00.000-06:00Just a quick comment to say that I am loving this ...Just a quick comment to say that I am loving this post! I'm not into the whole "s" word either. With all religious matters aside...Matt and I both think it's kind of weird to teach our child to believe whole-heartedly in something that will only disappoint her. I also cannot stand when I hear people say, "Be good, Santa's watching." Uhhh, Drives me bonkers!! <BR/>I want my child to believe what I teach her is true. Most importantly, I want her to believe in the miraculous story of Jesus... not of Santa.<BR/>Thanks for the awesome post. I've been forwarding it to others like crazy! Hope that's okay??<BR/>Christmas Blessings dear Friend.Valeriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00706011273214056875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27767365.post-41235445379431535432008-12-22T08:15:00.000-06:002008-12-22T08:15:00.000-06:00thank you so much for answering my question. once...thank you so much for answering my question. once again i am impressed and encouraged by your wisdom and commitment to God. i think that one of the things i admire most about your family is that you are such a great example of being "in the world but not of the world." i love that you know that you do things differently than most, but really don't care. you are so inspiring to me as i feel certain convictions, and am tempted to "fit it" and justify it b/c "everyone's doing it."<BR/>so thank you again. :)<BR/><BR/>staceyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27767365.post-45887246223462137782008-12-20T15:20:00.000-06:002008-12-20T15:20:00.000-06:00It was awesome that you posted the song "Sant...It was awesome that you posted the song "Santa Claus is coming to town." We don't do Santa either and we were listening to Christmas music on the radio when that song came on and I was immediately irritated. My oldest children (13 &12) instantly recognized they were singing about the attributes of God yet replacing HIS holy name with Santa. <BR/><BR/>This time of year is really frustrating for us because even though we've dedicated ourselves to keeping it simple, Christ -centered, and forsaking consumerism; we struggle with feeling of being "the last one picked." Not being a sport type person; I still find myself not wanting to be picked last. Not being a "Santa supporter" I still struggle with NOT going crazy with gifts simply because of peer pressure. This has been my battle every year. Even though we have resolved to make this time of year about Christ, standing "alone" and watching everyone else spend, spend, spend makes it difficult. My prayer is that God would break this "need" and replace it with joy & contented in the precious GIFT He has given. "Joy to the World!"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27767365.post-77489990532656825532008-12-19T22:17:00.000-06:002008-12-19T22:17:00.000-06:00Wow Shyla, thanks for the research, and also for y...Wow Shyla, thanks for the research, and also for yet again challenging me, at least, in this area and "why we do the things we do". Although, we've never taught our kids about Santa, as though he were real, we have always let them belive what they want to believe. And if they asked us about him being real we would say, "well, what do you think?"<BR/><BR/>We only have one left that 'believes' - he is 4 and this is the first year that he really gotten into Santa. I did ask the older kids (9-12) if they ever felt like we had lied to them. They said no. <BR/><BR/>I have to tell you after reading your blog, and the blogs of others on this subject, I am really feeling convicted. I mean, letting our kids believe what they want (in regards to Santa)?? Isn't that the same as parents who don't teach their kids Christianity, but choose to let their kids believe what they want!!??<BR/><BR/>I forwarded your blog to my husband and we are going to seriously have to discuss this. We do celebrate the Advent season, but there is so much "Santa" diversion throughout the day, that it can be a challenge to keep the "little one" focused. <BR/><BR/>Anyway, thanks again for sharing and VERY MUCH for the research, that sealed the deal for me. Like I've said I have read many blogs on this subject, but yours had such profound Biblical truth that I couldn't find an argument!<BR/><BR/>HeatherHChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07302378451625462536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27767365.post-50122260134874414092008-12-19T03:14:00.000-06:002008-12-19T03:14:00.000-06:00My parents didn't incorporate Santa into our tradi...My parents didn't incorporate Santa into our traditions so it makes no sense to me to do it with my own children. I think it is relevant to recognise, however, that our current day American Santa came about as the result of a Coca Cola add from about 100 years ago. Many global Christmas traditions actually celebrate St. Nicholas who is actually quite different from "Santa". The legend and history of his life is actually quite relevant to believing families.Adinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12141352479050849009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27767365.post-70409472319318507142008-12-19T00:55:00.000-06:002008-12-19T00:55:00.000-06:00I love your blog. And I so love the fact that you...I love your blog. And I so love the fact that you and your family live what you believe...even in the face of seeming "weird" to your families or others. We're in that boat with you. <BR/><BR/>We do Santa, but my husband and I seriously discussed it before our first child was born. Especially the issue of truthfulness and how will they believe in Jesus if we weren't totally truthful about Santa (although if asked, I would definitely, and have, spilled the beans). <BR/><BR/>We've decided to do Santa, though, and for us it works out. Santa, being modeled after Saint Nicholas, really started out as one who gave to those who needed, and we really try to focus on that at Christmas--as well as the rest of the year. Of course, our kids get gifts, and I have really tried to scale that back but am not nearly where I want to be with that. But they work to give gifts to others during this season, and I do think that's what's important. Of course, the most important thing is that they love Jesus and live with Him as the center of their lives. But we are teaching them that they are truly acting as His hands and feet when they give. <BR/><BR/>This is just skimming over the top. It's late, and I need a shower, but just thought I'd give a little of our version.<BR/><BR/>Merry Christmas!mamatutwohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16623903016844813909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27767365.post-79327745989962539652008-12-18T17:08:00.000-06:002008-12-18T17:08:00.000-06:00My kids have to keep quiet about Santa too. We tol...My kids have to keep quiet about Santa too. We told our oldest when he was 4. He was just starting to really learn about Santa, so we caught it just in time. He wasn't sad or angry, he hadn't had much of a chance to start believing. I want to do a Jessi tree next year, I learned about it a little late for this year.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03972690585396623971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27767365.post-67065097869613896552008-12-18T11:26:00.000-06:002008-12-18T11:26:00.000-06:00Our neighbor gave us a hand-me-down mechanical San...Our neighbor gave us a hand-me-down mechanical Santa that scared Joe to death. He doesn't like Santa. :)<BR/><BR/>My kids know Santa is just pretend, just as my brothers and I did growing up. My mother was distraught when she found out Santa wasn't real, and was very angry at her parents for lying to her. She did, however think it was fun to write 'from Santa' on at least one present to us, and it was alway obvious to us who it was really from.<BR/><BR/>We have a little advent thing that goes through the story of Christmas as you build the nativity scene.<BR/><BR/>One thing I hope to do is teach my kids about the real St. Nicholas, not to take the focus off Christ, but to have an example of a man who as a follower of Christ, spent his life as a giver and advocate for those in need. Besides, my maiden name is Nicholas. :)<BR/><BR/>It is a real struggle for me every year, as we have so much family around, and the kids get so many presents, I have to supress the urge to scream and set fire to them all (the presents, not the family-haha). I also hate the feeling that we are obligated to buy stuff for kids that don't need anything...Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06135518747464822110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27767365.post-27023332252073915812008-12-18T10:10:00.000-06:002008-12-18T10:10:00.000-06:00Sadie and Jackson just think of Santa as some guy ...Sadie and Jackson just think of Santa as some guy who works at the mall. When strangers say things to them like, "You look like you've been good this year, I bet Santa is going to bring you a lot of presents," they just stare blankly.lillianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07812269198525441448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27767365.post-42415101252569323102008-12-18T08:16:00.000-06:002008-12-18T08:16:00.000-06:00Shyla, I love this post. Thank you for all the re...Shyla, I love this post. Thank you for all the research gathered together and put in one spot. Great job!<BR/><BR/>Bella is three this year and old enough to understand things like this. Rob & I have struggled with what to do about Santa as well, and I have always wanted to NOT do Santa because of the lies/truth thing. <BR/><BR/>This year we are doing Advent for the first time ever and making Christmas all about the birth of Jesus. Next year, I hope to make ornaments & do a Jesse tree as well. We haven't really mentioned Santa to Bella, but somehow she knows enough about him to talk about him. I don't think she gets that he brings presents on Christmas eve, so eventually we will need to deal with that. <BR/><BR/>My friend from church, who has 7 children (mostly all adults now) gave me some wonderful ideas about how to do Advent. I asked her about Santa and she said that because they were so focused on Advent, (her children had nativity sets & Advent calendars and played with them all through the season and were completely anticipating the birth of Christ), they never really talked much about Santa. He was just a background figure in everything and they didn't care about him.<BR/><BR/>She said that regarding gifts, they focused on the giving rather than the receiving. She said she got so much joy out of seeing her children give gifts to one another, and although they ended up with several gifts each (9 in their family), she didn't want to deprive any of them of the joy of giving. That really helped me see that the gift portion could really be more about love and not as much about 'consumerism'. I've had a hard time with the number of gifts my husband's family gives us, but this year, I am trying to look at it like they are showering us with love (instead of drowning us in 'things').<BR/><BR/>I can't imagine having more than one child and getting THAT many gifts each. Very stressful. I would have a very difficult time with that.<BR/><BR/>May your holiday be JOYFUL and may the God who came to us as a little baby rush into your lives and surround you with Peace, Hope, Joy and Love - the greatest gifts of all.julianalovespyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13888699865844959964noreply@blogger.com