Honest Questions!

[Baastetnoir]

Before you read my questions please realize that it is honest, and therefore reply with honesty. thats all i ask...and before you go nuts delting this thread, or "editing" it, step back and think if you felt offended because i really did offend you or simply because you felt convicted.

QUESTION:

If Jesus is the reason for the season Why do Christians lie to their children about santa claus, on the exact same day they are suppose to be celebrating the birth of their savior? did Jesus die so christians can make up lies about Santa claus ?

Isnt it sinning against God and all what He represents, to lie to children ...that are pure and innocent? and by lying to children about Santa claus are christina parenst the ones that first teach their children how to lie ?

Thank you

[airIam2worship]

Before you read my questions please realize that it is honest, and therefore reply with honesty. thats all i ask...and before you go nuts delting this thread, or "editing" it, step back and think if you felt offended because i really did offend you or simply because you felt convicted.

QUESTION:

If Jesus is the reason for the season Why do Christians lie to their children about santa claus, on the exact same day they are suppose to be celebrating the birth of their savior? did Jesus die so christians can make up lies about Santa claus ?

Isnt it sinning against God and all what He represents, to lie to children ...that are pure and innocent? and by lying to children about Santa claus are christina parenst the ones that first teach their children how to lie ?

Thank you

Great Question. Personally I never exposed my children to santa claus. I wanted them to know that anything and everything they got was from God. But to answer your question, I sincerely believe that those Christians that do lie to their children, are really deceived themselves, they were lied to and therefore they feel that is the way it should be, they do it out of ignorance. Remember God's Word says my people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6). Many Christian churches nowadays teach, infact, that parents should not tell their children that there is a santa claus, first of all it is a lie, and it puts him in the limelight. I don't know anyone that tells their children that there is a santa claus, I used to, but they have come to realize their error. None of my grandchildren ranging from 17-2 believe in santa claus, it's just the way my children were raised. I believe that most people that lie to their children about santa claus are not real practicing Christians.
Jas 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
(KJV)

[cris]

Before you read my questions please realize that it is honest, and therefore reply with honesty. thats all i ask...and before you go nuts delting this thread, or "editing" it, step back and think if you felt offended because i really did offend you or simply because you felt convicted.

QUESTION:

If Jesus is the reason for the season Why do Christians lie to their children about santa claus, on the exact same day they are suppose to be celebrating the birth of their savior? did Jesus die so christians can make up lies about Santa claus ?

Isnt it sinning against God and all what He represents, to lie to children ...that are pure and innocent? and by lying to children about Santa claus are christina parenst the ones that first teach their children how to lie ?

Thank you

Then I would think we should not read nursery rhymes to our children nor allow them to read fiction, as both of these cause a child to form images in their head of things that aren't real.

Personally, I'd like to know just how many people who were brought up to believe in Santa Claus are damaged.  

Maybe one person believes it's a lie to tell their children there's a Santa, but another believes they're creating a harmless fantasy based on something that did happen long ago. His name was St. Nicholas and he delivered gifts to children on Christmas Eve.  Yes, he's long since departed this earth, but the legend lives on still.  We call him Santa Claus.

Grace and peace,
cris


 

[airIam2worship]

Nicholas, Saint (lived 4th century), Christian prelate, patron saint of Russia, traditionally associated with Christmas celebrations. The accounts of his life are confused and historically unconfirmed. According to tradition he was a native of Patara, formerly a city in the ancient district of Lycia, Asia Minor (now Turkey). Nicholas entered the nearby monastery of Sion and subsequently became archbishop of the metropolitan church in Myra, Lycia. He is said to have been imprisoned during the persecutions of Emperor Diocletian and to have attended the first Council of Nicaea, but this is unlikely. At the end of the 11th century some Italian merchants transported his remains from Myra to Bari, Italy, where his tomb is now a shrine.

Nicholas is the patron saint of children, scholars, virgins, sailors, and merchants, and in the Middle Ages (5th century to 15th century) he was regarded by thieves as their patron saint as well. Legend tells of his surreptitious gifts to the three daughters of a poor man, who, unable to give them dowries, was about to abandon them to prostitution. From this tale has grown the custom of secret gifts on the Eve of Saint Nicholas. Because of the close proximity of dates, Christmas and Saint Nicholas's Day are now celebrated simultaneously in many countries. Santa Claus, the designation for the jolly, bearded figure of folklore who is credited with bringing gifts to children on Christmas Eve, is an American derivation of the Dutch Sinter Klaas. His feast day is December 6.
the above is an excerpt from MSN Encarta. Just to give you a little background.
Santa Claus was in no way connected to the reason why we celebrate Christmas. This is another custom, tradition of men.
Family, and I call you family because in Christ we are all brothers and sister, from my personal point of view Santa Claus was inended to take away from the REAL reason we celebrate Christmas. The Bible does not mention anywhere at all anything about a Santa Claus; the reason we celebrate Christmas is because we want to celebrate the birth of Jesus, Our Lord and Savior, how is it then that Santa Claus ended up getting more attention then Jesus Himself? I believe that if you asked 100 children who is Santa Claus, at least 99 would be able to tell you, if you asked those same children who is Jesus do you think that they would be able to tell you? More than likely they won't because, children are taught from the time they are babes to believe in a fictional character (whom by the way seems to be eternal) who slides down chimneys, or vaporizes into smoke so he can crawl under your door if you don't have a chimney, who is supposed to know everything you say or do, and everything about you. Come on now Brothers and sisters, I would rather tell my children, it is God Who is eternal, It is God Who knows your every need and know everything about you, it is God that loves you and gives you good gifts everyday of your life. God is the only one who should be given the glory. Not a mere human who lived almost 1700 years ago, died and his bones are still in the ground. Why not just tell children the truth and teach them from infancy as the Bible tells us to, who God is. Perhaps we would have less atheists in this world. I'm sorry if some of you don't agree, but santa claus only serves to take away from the glory that is due onto God and God only. The same goes for the Easter bunny. False doctrines have caused many to turn away from the REAL reason for these 2 days, ever so subtely taking the glory away from God and and taking the REAL reason out of why we celebrate these days and twisting it around making it seem 'innocent',  'pure', and 'harmless'. Let us remember who is the one trying to take away our attention from God he doesn't even care if he is given the credit for it as long as God is not given the glory. Search the Scriptures, search God in prayer, and search your hearts. If you feel I am wrong than so be it, everyone is entitled to an opinion. I based my on the Word of God. Do some research on the topic find out the history, the root, and all you can about it then compare it to the Word of God and take it to God in prayer, He will lead you into the Truth. God is my all I don't need to wait on anyone else to supply my needs, or my children or grandchildren's needs, and He is real.

[cris]

Air,

The celebration of Christmas is not in the bible.  The celebration of birthdays is not in the bible, either.  This is one of the reasons the Jehovah Witnesses do not celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Sinter Klaus came about because of St. Nicholas.  Go back a little further in your research.  You'll find it.  

Yes, Santa Claus could take away from the meaning of our celebration of the birth of Christ if we aren't careful.  As Christians, we're aware of this, and teach our children otherwise, even if they believe in Santa.

Grace and peace,
cris

[airIam2worship]

cris,
I have done a lot of research on this subject, this is why I don't do the santa claus thing. Why would I want to honor someone on the day that Christians have set aside to honor God for His gift to us. I am also aware that birthdays are not mentioned with good consequences in the Bible (each time a birthday is mentioned in the Bible it is related to something evil, ie. Herod's) in fact Jesus never told us to celebrate any days except to keep in rememberance His death and resurrection. It also does not tell us to celebrate anniversaries, etc. but keep in mind that we are not to put anything above GOD, therefore children are thought to fear, honor, love, and put faith in a human creature just like the rest of us. A lie is a lie regardless of how big or small, it is still a lie. And the Bible says that the the devil is the father of all lies. Just because a person did some good in the past does not mean he should be honored year after year for eternity. There are many, many more people in the past and present who have done as much or more yet they are still not to be honored. As I said I don't feel comfortable lying and saying to my children that there is a Santa Claus, I much rather tell them GOD has provided me with the finances to buy you these gifts because I love you, and I want to give you these gifts. Just as God gave His Son for us. In my Church a Faith Christian Church we do not promote Santa Claus. And we in no way compare to Jehovah's Witnesses, we believe in God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, which make up the Holy Trinity. We believe that Jesus is God that He came to save us from our sins, and that there is a heaven and a hell, we believe in the rapture (unlike Jehovah's Witnesses). You probably base your faith the same way. We just don't promote Santa Claus, just as much as we son't promote holloween, or the easter bunny.

[cris]

cris,
I have done a lot of research on this subject, this is why I don't do the santa claus thing. Why would I want to honor someone on the day that Christians have set aside to honor God for His gift to us. I am also aware that birthdays are not mentioned with good consequences in the Bible (each time a birthday is mentioned in the Bible it is related to something evil, ie. Herod's) in fact Jesus never told us to celebrate any days except to keep in rememberance His death and resurrection. It also does not tell us to celebrate anniversaries, etc. but keep in mind that we are not to put anything above GOD, therefore children are thought to fear, honor, love, and put faith in a human creature just like the rest of us. A lie is a lie regardless of how big or small, it is still a lie. And the Bible says that the the devil is the father of all lies. Just because a person did some good in the past does not mean he should be honored year after year for eternity. There are many, many more people in the past and present who have done as much or more yet they are still not to be honored. As I said I don't feel comfortable lying and saying to my children that there is a Santa Claus, I much rather tell them GOD has provided me with the finances to buy you these gifts because I love you, and I want to give you these gifts. Just as God gave His Son for us. In my Church a Faith Christian Church we do not promote Santa Claus. And we in no way compare to Jehovah's Witnesses, we believe in God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, which make up the Holy Trinity. We believe that Jesus is God that He came to save us from our sins, and that there is a heaven and a hell, we believe in the rapture (unlike Jehovah's Witnesses). You probably base your faith the same way. We just don't promote Santa Claus, just as much as we son't promote holloween, or the easter bunny.

I understood your stance from your first post, air.  We all come to different convictions and have to remain true to those.  I can't tell you that you're correct or incorrect.........no one can do that.  

Grace and peace,
cris

   

[airIam2worship]

I would also like to point out that not only does Bible not tell us to celebrate Christmas, but it also does not tell us the day Jesus was born, and it does not tell us that there were 3 wise men from the east, people just assume that there were because of the gold, frankinsence, and myrrh. It does mention however that they were astrologers! And they never did get to see Jesus in a manger, Jesus was already weaned, and living in a house.
WISE MEN
 
wiz'-men: In addition to the uses of "wise" specified in the article WISDOM, the adjective is employed occasionally as the technical description of men who are adepts in magic, divination, etc. (e.g. in Ge 41:8; Ex 7:11; Es 1:13; Da 2:27; 5:15). Naturally, however, in the ancient world the boundary between genuine knowledge and astrology, etc., was exceedingly vague, and it was never denied that real knowledge could be gained along lines that we know to be futile. So the initiation of Moses into all the wisdom of the Egyptians (Ac 7:22) or of Daniel into all the learning of the Chaldeans (Da 1:4) met with no disapproval. These great men could be trusted to avoid the moral and religious pitfalls of such pursuits. For the ordinary Israelites, however the uncompromising prohibition of idolatry closed the door definitely to all studies of this kind. See ASTROLOGY; DIVINATION, etc. And for the Wise-men of Mt 2:1-23 see MAGI, STAR OF.
 
Burton Scott Eastonving in a house.

Mt 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. {presented: or, offered}
Ps 72:10; Isa 60:6
not a babe wrapped in a manger, but a young child in a house with Mary his mother, it doesn't even say Joseph was present. I don't mean to sound like a grinch, I just read the Bible and study it. I do give my children gifts, but then again I do this at any time of the year, not just on Christmas day. I I give God the glory.

[cris]

I would also like to point out that not only does Bible not tell us to celebrate Christmas, but it also does not tell us the day Jesus was born, and it does not tell us that there were 3 wise men from the east, people just assume that there were because of the gold, frankinsence, and myrrh. It does mention however that they were astrologers! And they never did get to see Jesus in a manger, Jesus was already weaned, and living in a house.
WISE MEN
 
wiz'-men: In addition to the uses of "wise" specified in the article WISDOM, the adjective is employed occasionally as the technical description of men who are adepts in magic, divination, etc. (e.g. in Ge 41:8; Ex 7:11; Es 1:13; Da 2:27; 5:15). Naturally, however, in the ancient world the boundary between genuine knowledge and astrology, etc., was exceedingly vague, and it was never denied that real knowledge could be gained along lines that we know to be futile. So the initiation of Moses into all the wisdom of the Egyptians (Ac 7:22) or of Daniel into all the learning of the Chaldeans (Da 1:4) met with no disapproval. These great men could be trusted to avoid the moral and religious pitfalls of such pursuits. For the ordinary Israelites, however the uncompromising prohibition of idolatry closed the door definitely to all studies of this kind. See ASTROLOGY; DIVINATION, etc. And for the Wise-men of Mt 2:1-23 see MAGI, STAR OF.
 
Burton Scott Eastonving in a house.

Mt 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. {presented: or, offered}
Ps 72:10; Isa 60:6
not a babe wrapped in a manger, but a young child in a house with Mary his mother, it doesn't even say Joseph was present. I don't mean to sound like a grinch, I just read the Bible and study it. I do give my children gifts, but then again I do this at any time of the year, not just on Christmas day. I I give God the glory.

I had always known the wise men to be astronomers not astrologers.  There's a difference.

All the rest you posted I'm well aware of.

Grace and peace,
cris

[Pilgrim]

From "Truth"   http://www.nlbchapel.org/truth.htm

        “Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell [you] the truth, ye believe me not.”  John 8:44-45

        One might wonder who these wicked children of the devil were? Surly, they must have been the very scum of the earth, those who practiced every vice and evil imaginable to man. Surly, Jesus must of been speaking to those who were like Hitler and Stalin, Jeffery Dahmer and Ted Bundy, Anton Szandor La Vey and Marlin Manson etc. Although people like these are excellent candidates, they are not the type of people the Lord Jesus was speaking to. Believe it or not, Jesus was speaking to the religious leaders of His day. Those who were suppose to be defenders and champions of the truth. Those who were charged with teaching the truth to the children of Israel. The very ones who should have been the first to recognize that Jesus was the Christ their long awaited Messiah. Yet according to Jesus these religious leaders were Satan’s children.
        Stop and think about this for a minute. Satan’s most successful attacks against Jesus came from the religious leaders of His day. From those who held sway over the masses by their religious lies and religious rituals who all the time thought that they were serving the true God of Israel. Those who persuaded Pilot to kill the Lord Jesus Christ. If Satan was so effective in infiltrating Israel’s religious leadership in those days do you think that maybe he might be doing the same with the church today? God’s Word says that he is:

        “For such [are] false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore [it is] no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”   2 Cor. 11:13-15

        Some good questions to ask yourselves are, who are these people today? How can I recognize them? What do they teach? How can I protect myself from their deceptive lies? How do I stand against them seeing that they are in places of leadership? All good questions that need to be answered.
        The Lord Jesus recognized them because they had much in common with their true spiritual father, Satan! Satan is the father of lies, therefore his children will be those who promote lies, not just any lie but religious lies. Lies about salvation, lies about God, lies about the Lord Jesus, lies about religion, lies on how to worship and please God. The lies that Satan uses to deceive Christians are sugar coated with the truth, lies that are pleasant to the taste and appealing to human reasoning. Satan knows that in order to get Christians off the path of righteousness he must be clever in his lies and make them appear as good and righteous, if he has to sprinkle his lies with truth so that Christians will eat of his fruit he will do it. Satan will use as much truth as necessary just so long as he can get Christians to eat his spiritual poison. He knows it is the poison in his mix that really counts and he doesn’t care how much healthy spiritual food one has to eat just as long as they eat the poison with it. We need to remember that Satan is not out to help us in our walk with God, but to kill, steal and destroy.
        "Makers of rat poison do the same. They take food that appeals to the taste of rats, food that under different circumstances would make rats healthy and strong. They take this food and lace it with a little bit of poison, not much, just enough to kill the rats who eat of it. The makers of rat poison use the healthy good tasting food to lure rats into eating the poison that is laced in it. It’s a very clever technique that gets very good results.
        Satan gets very good results with this technique also. One of the best religious lies that Satan and his helpers use today is Christmas. Many will be shocked at this statement, saying “Christmas! Dear brother, have you gone mad!” No! I haven’t gone mad. If Christmas is of God it surly would past the test of truth which it does not. Christmas involves worship and Jesus said that God MUST be worshiped in spirit and TRUTH. Let’s take a close look at Christmas and see if it can hold up to the test of truth.
        The term “Christmas” itself is an unholy mixture and an abomination before God when used in reference to the real Lord Jesus Christ. Here we plainly see Satan’s cleverness, he takes the term “Christ” which is holy and good and combines it with the term “mass” which is an unholy religious lie. Satan mixes the holy with the unholy knowing that  it will be harder for the non-discerning Christian to reject. The Catholic mass is a denial of the Scriptures. The Word of God teaches that the Lord Jesus Christ suffered one time for sins and then sat down at the right hand of God."

Read the full article here http://www.nlbchapel.org/truth.htm

pilgrim