The Santa Delusion
Introducing new All4God contributor Ali McClure with a quick intro and then a Christmas reflection- I’m Ali McClure, been saved for around 15 years, recently married, from Northern Ireland and living in Nashville Tennessee. Studied Theology and French though am currently unemployed/homemaker, hoping to become a teacher. I love period dramas & books, music; singing and playing guitar, and I love Northern Ireland.
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The Santa Delusion
So I haven’t posted anything before, despite having joined months ago. But the suggestion to write something about Christmas – which over the last year has become a real issue for me has produced the urge. I guess what I really would like to challenge all Christians about is what we accept to do with Christmas, that is so far from its real meaning. I heard from a wise Christian lately that we shouldn’t ask what is wrong with something, rather what is right with it. And I think there are a lot of things about Christmas that may in themselves not be BAD – but are not things Christians should advertise. Obviously the materialism is one thing – when God came to give a free gift for all – and we spend the season shopping!
Then there is the problem of the Santa delusion. Many will disagree – but for me Santa and the things associated with this figure – are anti-Christ, not THE anti-Christ – but they are stripping God of his place in Christmas. Kids associate Santa with Christmas, how many things they can ask for and get when we should be encouraging to think of God’s gift already given, and using it as a thanksgiving. Then there is also the fact that Santa Claus is a figure in a mythical story (well the version of Santa we are all familiar with) – which people tell children is REAL!! Firstly this is lying – which is a sin. (I’m not claiming I never lie – but I try my best not to). Then secondly how can we expect children to believe us when we tell them that both Santa and God are people you don’t see – who give us things, are good, watch us when we do good or bad (sin), and then years down the line we tell them Santa was only a story – but what we said about God is real. The inconsistency to me is baffling.
Let’s put Christ back in Christmas – not by trying to compete and make the “Jesus part” bigger – but by getting rid of the distractions. Make it simple. You don’t have to go round telling every kid Santa isn’t real – but you can make the choice not to mention Santa, not to encourage the stories and to challenge family and friends. When “Jesus is the reason for the season” He shouldn’t have to compete.
Thanks for that Ali, very thought provoking!
Thanks for that Ali, very thought provoking!
Santa delusion? For children, believing in Santa might bring the same satisfaction and happiness, as you believing (and i stress BELIEVING) in God! Can i ask you this Ali- Do you receive presents for Christmas?
presents don’t have to come from Santa though. The same enjoyment comes from a stocking of gifts from parents as if ‘Santa’ is credited with their delivery, and the deceit totally removed
Can I ask you a question in return? Do you receive birthday presents? Im not against presents at all! But I’m just saying be real about where they come from. Children get excited about birthdays – without people having to create a “birthday santa”!! At Christmas we share presents cause of Jesus’ birth – it should be a birthday party!
Santa delusion? For children, believing in Santa might bring the same satisfaction and happiness, as you believing (and i stress BELIEVING) in God! Can i ask you this Ali- Do you receive presents for Christmas?
presents don't have to come from Santa though. The same enjoyment comes from a stocking of gifts from parents as if 'Santa' is credited with their delivery, and the deceit totally removed
Can I ask you a question in return? Do you receive birthday presents? Im not against presents at all! But I'm just saying be real about where they come from. Children get excited about birthdays – without people having to create a “birthday santa”!! At Christmas we share presents cause of Jesus' birth – it should be a birthday party!
Totally 100% agree with you here Ali. As a Christian, I can see no relevance that Santa has to the story of Christmas, unless you want to talk about Saint Nicholas and his deeds (which are interesting). The modern incarnation of Santa is just a marketing tool to generate cash flow for business, as well as heaping already undue pressure on parents!
Let us not even talk about the fact that Santa is a LIE, and that parents are complicit in lying to their children when they bring Santa into the equation of Christmas.
I know people will label such thoughts as ‘Scrooge-like’, however we have to call it like it is!
I think it would be much better to say to children that at this time of year we remember and celebrate the greatest gift given in love, and to recognise that, we as individuals wish to give gifts in love as a symbol of what God did on that first Christmas. That way children understand the significance of Christmas, and parents are able to honest about their intentions when they give presents-out of love, and not out of the sack of some fat jolly man who has climbed down your chimney!
Totally 100% agree with you here Ali. As a Christian, I can see no relevance that Santa has to the story of Christmas, unless you want to talk about Saint Nicholas and his deeds (which are interesting). The modern incarnation of Santa is just a marketing tool to generate cash flow for business, as well as heaping already undue pressure on parents!
Let us not even talk about the fact that Santa is a LIE, and that parents are complicit in lying to their children when they bring Santa into the equation of Christmas.
I know people will label such thoughts as 'Scrooge-like', however we have to call it like it is!
I think it would be much better to say to children that at this time of year we remember and celebrate the greatest gift given in love, and to recognise that, we as individuals wish to give gifts in love as a symbol of what God did on that first Christmas. That way children understand the significance of Christmas, and parents are able to honest about their intentions when they give presents-out of love, and not out of the sack of some fat jolly man who has climbed down your chimney!
People can believe what they want. Believe in what you want, but what i see here is people trying to say that other people are wrong, whether it be in other gods or in myths like santa. You wish to make christmas about jesus again “by getting rid of the distractions”, this is nonsense. Religion still plays a big part in christmas, whatever you believe in, but its a changing world and you need to understand this and i think that all religions need to adapt to way the world is today and stop living in the past.
People can believe what they want. Believe in what you want, but what i see here is people trying to say that other people are wrong, whether it be in other gods or in myths like santa. You wish to make christmas about jesus again “by getting rid of the distractions”, this is nonsense. Religion still plays a big part in christmas, whatever you believe in, but its a changing world and you need to understand this and i think that all religions need to adapt to way the world is today and stop living in the past.
Great post, I do agree with you actually. It seems to be sort of a compramise for christians. It is lying when it comes down to it and is teaching greed and materialism. You say your from Northern Ireland? Im from Lisburn, where bouts were you from?
Great post, I do agree with you actually. It seems to be sort of a compramise for christians. It is lying when it comes down to it and is teaching greed and materialism. You say your from Northern Ireland? Im from Lisburn, where bouts were you from?