I usually don’t talk about this because I know that this can be a hot
topic, but as I have seen it around so much, I can't help but feel convicted in my heart to raise some questions and see what I am missing.
For years, my husband and I have been against doing Santa. We agreed that to us it is dishonest setting up all the back story that comes with Santa. You can’t
really see Santa because he is not real. He can’t see you when you
were sleeping and he has no idea if you are bad or good; he doesn’t
exist. We
knew we would give our kids presents regardless of their behavior, so playing the “naughty or nice” based present game seemed unfair and a bit like a lie. We feel like them knowing that we had thoughtfully and
lovingly chosen their gifts, not Santa, was important also.
With all that said, our opinion on this doesn’t matter one bit compared to what the Bible
teaches. However, I know that God's word never once mentions anything about Santa, but the Bible is very clear on what our calling is as parents though. We are called to lead our children to the Savior, the one who died for them and has a plan for being reconciled to Him. You see, I personally as a parent see a link between Santa and my children’s spiritual
well-being. For us Christmas is
about Christ... No question about it (go here to see ways that we celebrate our Savior).
The Bible tells us that Satan will use anything to plant doubt in the
minds of whoever will listen. I guess I feel like the picture to the left says it all. If I chose to lie to my children about santa and out of the same mouth tell the truth about Jesus, how will my children ever distinguish between what I say as truth or a lie. To me lying to them about Santa allows "the enemy have a foothold" (Ephesians 4:27) in my kids' life by causing doubt in their mind about who Jesus is. As a parent I don't ever want to intentionally do anything to hinder my child in knowing the truth about Jesus.
For the "naughty or nice" present issue, we are told in God's word that we are all saved by
grace through faith. Grace means that it is a gift of God that can not be earned by
behavior nor prevented by bad behavior. It is simply accepted or
rejected, but it has been and always will be a gift given by God that is freely given to us... while we were still
sinners! The link between my approval of my kids' behavior
teaches the exact opposite of what grace is. Both God and I love each of my kids unconditionally and the picture of grace that I show to them will one day determine their idea of what God's grace is in their life.
Now, to the heart of why I decided to write this post... Elf on the Shelf. I have to admit, up until last night I had no idea what Elf on the Shelf was, had I heard of it, yes, but I didn't know anything about it other than assumption that it was linked with Santa.
I guess I just don't understand why this is so popular... am I missing something??? I really don't want to teach my children that this little elf is
watching them and that Christmas is all about whether they do good
things or bad things. :/ My children's behavior should not be shaped by doing good so they can get presents. Their behavior will not
affect what I give them. Gifts are unconditional, that is why they are called gifts. I want to teach them
that I am sharing with them the unconditional love of God.
Jesus
is the focal point of what Christmas is all about. Just because Santa and elves aren't included in what Christmas is all about, doesn't mean you can't celebrate the season. Here are some great ways you can incorporate celebrating Jesus into your holiday:
Christmas Eve Service
It's a great way to get our
focus on Jesus during the exact time we want to be selfish with opening
presents.
Family Devotion/Jesus Stocking
Read a portion of scripture to the family and
discuss what it means to you and how it impacts you. Then share what your
gift to Jesus is through the Jesus Stocking. The Jesus Stocking is
something that can go out along with each family members stocking (Jesus
is a part of the family right? :). Every year everyone writes down
(long or short) on a piece of paper what they want to give to Jesus.
What you give to Jesus can be big or small (attitude, discipline,
compassion, etc.), but it is something that you are giving up to God as a
sacrifice, something that you will work on through the next year. For
example the year we bought our house, my husbands gift to Jesus was our
home. He wanted to commit to God that his house would be a home that
honored God, a home that was open to whatever work God wanted to do in
it (Bible study, prayer meetings, etc.). Another example is the year
that my husband became a sheriff, my gift to Jesus was my prayer life. I
have a hard time praying, so I decided that I would commit to pray for
his safety, for him to have wisdom, for him to be strong, etc. Sharing
your gift to Jesus is also a great way to have accountability. (Ecclesiastes 4:10 "If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.)
Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh
The gifts are based off of what the wise men brought
Jesus...gold, frankincense, myrrh.
Gold
is a precious metal and the wise men brought gold to Jesus because he
is so precious to us, as the savior of the world. A "gold gift" would
something precious to the person receiving it. In other words, something
special the person wants. It can really be anything!
Frankincense is an incense that was burned and symbolically represented their
prayers going up to God. This gift represents something to enhance a
person's Spiritual life. It can be a bible, devotional, book, CD,
journal, etc.
Myrrh
was used to embalm a dead body...seems a bit weird to bring to little
Jesus, but it was symbolizing what was to come, Jesus dying on the
cross. This gift represents something for the body. It can be clothes,
shoes, a scarf, lotion, jewelry, etc.
You are still
giving them the things that they want and need, but now it has
significance to it. You are bringing in the meaning of why the gifts are
important. I have to say this has also been helpful in teaching my kids
that it's not about quantity, but the quality.
Happy Birthday Jesus Cake
Birthday celebrations always have cake, right?!? So why can't Jesus have
a cake... it's His birthday... so we should celebrate! Sing Happy
Birthday Jesus with a cake (or pie)!
In saying all this, I know we all come from different backgrounds... I am not trying to knock anyone in any way. I just want to point out that each of us (including myself) should prayerfully consider how we present the meaning of Christmas to others.
Share your thoughts and ideas (from Santa, Elf on the Shelf, ways your family incorporates Jesus into Christmas) in the comments below. (but keep it fair and nice please) :)
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