• If you are having problems logging in please use the Contact Us in the lower right hand corner of the forum page for assistance.

Is it Santa?Also a ? for Soapweed and others

nonothing

Well-known member
Has Santa Clause taken away from the true meaning of Christmas?....Today i ask my 5 yo niece what Christmas was about...Her answer was "Santa bringing presents"......

This made we wonder,has the material side of the Christmas season,stolen the the reason for which we celibrate Christmas......


It is not fair to tag Santa as the bad guy here,But,do you feel That Santa has taken away the true meaning of Christmas?....

I also ask Soapweed and others that may know ,for a little write up about the birth of christ...Something i can read at the family Christmas eve dinner table just be for we say grace....Just to remind us all of the importance of Christmas day.....If you could I would appreciate it....Soapweed always seems to have a short yet at times,very powerful way with words....
 

the_jersey_lilly_2000

Well-known member
If it were me, and your neice will be in attendance when presents are opened, Christmas Eve or Christmas morning, I would be tempted to read the story of Christ's birth before opening presents instead of before the meal. Just my thoughts.
 

ranchwife

Well-known member
I agree wholeheartedly!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kids nowadays honestly believe that christmas is about gifts.....THE MORE THE BETTER!!!!!! It breaks my heart when I see Christ taken out of the very day meant to celebrate his arrival! So commercialized...all about who has the bigger, more expensive gifts and NOT what it should be about! :cry: :cry:
 

IL Rancher

Well-known member
We have been having this discussion in our house in recent days as my daughter gets older. Can't stand how commercial Christmas has gotten and am pretty much at the point that we aren't doing the Santa thing as the whole idea of saint Nickolous has been changed drastically since its inception. We have talked about doing St. nicks day (December 6th or something like that) if we are going to do any Santa Claus type thing but really feel like the emphasis of Christmas has been shifted to far away from giving into a total rreceiving game (Also the celebration of Christs birth even though he wasn't born this time of year but still, the holiday is still Christmas) I am tired of the I want this and I want that BS that I hear from my nieces and nephews and my own kid.. It have even heard stories of grandparents competing to be the one who always gets the best present so they are favorite... I guess I'm a humbug,



My mom is having a real hard time of it as I grew up in a non religous, santa celebrating household and she thought it was lots of fun... Me... Not so much.
 

Faster horses

Well-known member
Boy, do I ever hear you, IL Rancher.

That grandparent deal is tooo true.

Case in point: Our grandson, 12, wanted to be in the band at
school and he wanted to play a trombone. For whatever reason,
the school didn't have one, so the search was on for a trombone
for this kid. $600 new, and he wanted a new one. Mr. FH brother,
great-uncle to this young man, had one. So he loaned it to our
grandson to use. He took it to school, band teacher said it
was excellent, needed no work, just go right to playing.
Problem solved, easily. Right?

Wrong.

The grandmother on the other side, buys him a brand new
trombone for Christmas. Didn't ask his mother, just bought it.
Of course, the parents are divorced...this was one way to
make a brownie point with the kid and dad must have thought
it was alright, he let it happen.

This was one of the most stupid things to do. All about who
could spend the most I guess. Heck, any of us could have bought
him a trombone, had he really needed it. We thought the connection
to his great-uncle was meaningful and the kid would appreciate
the instrument more. So much for that.
 

Soapweed

Well-known member
nonothing said:
Has Santa Clause taken away from the true meaning of Christmas?....Today i ask my 5 yo niece what Christmas was about...Her answer was "Santa bringing presents"......

This made we wonder,has the material side of the Christmas season,stolen the the reason for which we celibrate Christmas......

It is not fair to tag Santa as the bad guy here,But,do you feel That Santa has taken away the true meaning of Christmas?....

I also ask Soapweed and others that may know ,for a little write up about the birth of christ...Something i can read at the family Christmas eve dinner table just be for we say grace....Just to remind us all of the importance of Christmas day.....If you could I would appreciate it....Soapweed always seems to have a short yet at times,very powerful way with words....

"All things in moderation." The only thing that shouldn't be in moderation is our love for Jesus Christ, and our desire to follow him.

Having grown up with both Santa Claus, and the True Meaning of Christmas, Jesus Christ, from my perspective there is room in this world for both. I'll admit, as a child, the "Santa Claus" part of Christmas was maybe more exciting. At the same time, it was always fun to participate in the Sunday School Christmas program and dress up in bathrobes with towels around our heads to be a part of the Nativity scene. I always wanted to be a shepherd, as that was about as close to a cowboy as you could get back in Bible times. Of course, the three Wise Men got to ride camels, so the decision was really kind of a toss-up. :)

Does Santa Claus take away from the true meaning of Christmas? Yes, he undoubtedly does.

Is it all bad? I think not, but others might disagree. As long as we keep Jesus in our hearts, and know that He is the real reason for the season, we can still play the Santa Claus game, too. Gifts from "Santa Claus" are only material things, with feel-good-for-the-moment temporary value. Jesus gave the Ultimate Gift. He gave His Life as a sacrifice, so that if we believe in Him, we might have Eternal Life.

In the first of the Ten Commandments, God instructs: "I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before Me." (Exodus 2:2-3)

As long as we just take Santa Claus with a grain of salt, and don't turn our backs on Christianity, my thought is we can also enjoy the secular part of the Christmas season. "It is better to give than to receive" holds true in all but our relationship with God. Then it is better to receive the wonderful gift of Eternal Life, if we but believe in His Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Lord and Saviour. Our gift in return is to dedicate our life to following Jesus, and to put Him first in all things.

Of course, there are religious zealots who would promote that Santa Claus really means "Satan's Cause". I guess I wouldn't go with that conspiracy theory myself, but each to their own.

The Christmas story, found in Luke 2:1-20 is wonderful to read, but maybe (as others have suggested), it should be read before the opening of gifts. As far as a good Bible reading before saying grace at the Christmas meal, possibly Isaiah 9:6-7 would be appropriate. It is short and to the point, and the turkey, potatoes and gravy stand less chance of getting cold. :wink:
 

nr

Well-known member
Well stated, Soapweed. We've felt the kids grow out of the make believe stage by second grade usually and Santa bites the dust and just becomes a fond memory. I still remember my sister and I ran from bed to bed Chrismas Eve so sure we were hearing those raindeer on the roof. I'm glad we were allowed the make-believe before the cold cruel world set in. Just my spin on childhood.

Here is a good idea: This is what we heard last Sunday- an idea to change kids hearts away from gimme gimme gimme presents: the suggestion was that each night at the dinner table leading up to Christmas each person gets to tell one way they showed love to somebody that day. It might be helping someone directly, being appreciative of someone and telling them that, or making something for someone, or being kind by including them...so many ways to show love. The man who shared this idea with the congregation said it had really helped shape his children's thinking. I can imagine it would help us adults also, making us accountable. What do you think?
 

Martin Jr.

Well-known member
I have to agree with Soapweed. Jesus should come first. Maybe the stories of how Santa Claus came to be should be mentioned. Stories of St. Nicholas can be found at www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=38
The things that I remember most when a child is the Midnight Mass at St. Francis, SD. The sisters and the children would sing in the choir loft, and I always remember "Angels I have heard on High". At St. Francis they would have a nativity scene set up near the front of the church and before Mass we would walk up and see it. This was before we had electricity at home and they had it lit up with blue Christmas lights.
Starting in the mid 40's we had Sunday Mass at a little mission church, but the midnight Mass and Easter Vigil was always at St. Francis.
 

sic 'em reds

Well-known member
I think Christmas has become too commercialized also. Growing up, we never got alot of fancy gifts. Mostly stuff that was useful; clothes, gloves, etc. I often joke that the gifts I got were to help me work!!

But it's really not that much of a joke. We got gifts we needed. Gifts to keep us warm and healthy in the winter. We got fun gifts, as children should, but now that I think back on it, those practical gifts were the best gifts.

I have one heck of a time buying gifts this time of year. Couple years ago I bought my wife coveralls and a good coat. She greatly appreciates them now that she realizes she married a cowman and every now and again I need help that requires that type of attire.

'Course, this year I bought her a couple nice outfits so we can go out once calving season ends!

Makes you wonder how long before Christmas won't mean anything and it will be a holiday like New Years Eve, which is just a reason to stay home and out of harms way of all the drunkers on the road.

I hope all of you the best through the holiday season, and also to remember what we are really celebrating this time of year.
 

Martin Jr.

Well-known member
Maybe you "Better watch out" for St Nicholas. In the 4th century there was a priest, Arius, who denied the divinity of Jesus. It is said that at the Council of Nicaea in AD325 that Nicholas, the bishop who later was known as St. Nicholas went up and slapped Arius in the face.

My Dad's family always had a family get together and dinner on New Years Day, and Christmas was a religious holiday. Most of Dad's siblings are now gone, and the tradition not carried out anymore. I understand that this was a French-Canadian custom.
 

Jinglebob

Well-known member
I get real sick and tired of all the gift giving and card sending, that people get into. Your supposed to give because you WANT to and not because you HAVE to. Seems like, if someone does something for you, then you have to do something for them and make damn sure you spend at least as much as they did, so you don't feel guilty, or come off as a Scrooge.

Same with cards. I would appreciate a hand written note from people I don't see often, much more than the boughten cards with a name signed on them. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the thought, but really, if you don't have time to write something, don't bother, and I sure understand.

I tend to make phone calls instead of sending cards.

And I think most gifts should be reserved for kids and young couples, between themselves. I truy to give gifts all year around, not just at Christmas. And a hand made gift is always much nicer than a boughten one. I don't care if it's a sign that says, I love you. Still better than most bouhgten gifts.

I got my Daughter in law a good hat a ewhile back and a pure beaver felt for a good friend who has done a lot for me. He was crying when he called to tell me he got it, and cussed me for doing it, he was so moved. Now that was cool, as it was so unexpected by him. Well worth the expensive price tag.

The Mrs and I are not spoending money on each other, instead she bought toys for Tots or some such. Much better deal, if you ask me. I really don't need anything and if I do, I'll buy it. And it will be just what I wanted.
'
I can't buy a handmade card from a grandchild or a friend, tho'. :wink:

All that being said, here's my present to all of you. Have a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year. :)
 

ranchwife

Well-known member
Just received this from Doc Harris!!! Thanks, Doc!!! Sure brought a tear to my eye and hopefully will remind others!! Thought maybe it would belong on this topic!! Hope the rest of you enjoy as much as I did!! Sure makes you stop.......and think!!! :cry:

Christmas



At Christmas time there was a man, who looked so out of place.

As people rushed about him, at a hurried sort of pace.

He stared at all the Christmas lights, the tinsel everywhere.

The shopping center Santa Claus, with children gathered near.

The mall was packed with shoppers, who were going to and fro.

Some with smiles, some with frowns, and some too tired to go.

They rested on the benches, or they hurried on their way.
To fight the crowds for purchases, to carry home that day.

The music from the stereo was playing loud and clear.

Of Santa Claus and snowmen, and funny-nosed reindeer.

He heard the people talk about the good times on the way.

Of parties, fun, and food galore, and gift exchange that day.

“I’d like to know what's going on,” the man was heard to say.

“There seems to be some sort, of celebration on the way.

“And would you tell me who this is, all dressed in red and white?

And why are children asking ‘him’ about a special night?”

The answer came in disbelief, “I can't believe my ear!
I can't believe you do not know that Christmas time is here!

“The time when Santa comes around with gifts for girls and boys.

When they’re asleep on Christmas Eve, he leaves them books and toys.

“The man you see in red and white is Santa Claus, so sly.

The children love his joyful laugh and twinkle in his eye.

“His gift-packed sleigh is pulled along by very small reindeer.

As he flies quickly through the air, while darting there and here.

“The children learn of Santa Claus while they are still quite small.

When Christmas comes he is the most important one of all!”

The stranger hung his head in shame; he closed a nail pierced hand.

His body shook in disbelief; he did not understand.

A shadow crossed his stricken face; his voice was low but clear.

“After all these years they still don't know…”



… and JESUS shed a tear.

--Author Unknown
 

Nicky

Well-known member
Soapweed, you certainly do have way with words...thank you!

And thankyou too Ranchwife and Doc for sharing that.
 

Latest posts

Top