Santa

Should children be encouraged to believe in Santa Claus? Opinions, please.?

I'm writing a story and I'd like some opinions. Should children be encouraged to believe in Santa Claus, or should they be told the truth, that there is no Santa? Should they be told the legend of St. Nicholas, or persuaded to believe the whole myth of Santa Claus (North Pole, flying reindeer, etc)? Or none of the above? Please explain why you believe the way you do. I'm just looking for opinions for the characters in my story, so I will give best answer to the most concise, thorough response, whether I agree or disagree.

Public Comments

1. Why not...at least he brings them presents.
2. I think that children should taught about the legend, but not lead to believe Santa is real because it only sets them up for a major letdown later on. In addition the child will have more respect for the parents if the child doesn't believe that some magical entity is where the gifts really come from.
3. Childhood should be a magical time. A time to believe in fairies and Santa, The Easter bunny and other stuff. I always gave my daughter gifts from me and from Santa. I went with the whole myth of the North pole and the reindeer and elves. I don't think it hurts children to believe in these things. I also think it is important for the child to know that Christmas is Christs birthday. Soon enough kids grow up and learn that there is no santa and what a sad time that is because they have lost some of their innocence. I am 57 and still believe in the wonder of Christmas. I get tears in my eyes when I see santa at the stores. I believe everyone who gives a gift is Santa's helper.
4. Tell them what Christmas really is! Jesus' Birthday! and when they ask why they get presents say "We give presents to each other because we cant give them to Jesus but by giving them to each other we give them to Jesus!" Show them this passage in the Bible!!! Matthew 25:34-40: 34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Meaning that when we do something kind to someone it is like doing it unto the Lord :)
5. Lying to someone is not showing love to them. Depending on where they live, children are told that gifts are brought by Santa Claus, St. Nicholas, Father Christmas, Père Noël, Knecht Ruprecht, the Magi, the elf Jultomten (or Julenissen), or a witch known as La Befana. (The World Book Encyclopedia, 1984, Vol. 3, p. 414) Of course, none of these stories are actually true. Does the telling of such stories build in children a respect for truth, and does such a practice honor Jesus Christ, who taught that God must be worshiped with truth?—John 4:23, 24. If you would like to know more about this and other themes, next time Jehovah's Witness come to your door, ask them for a free Bible study at your convenience. You will never regret all the knowledge you will acquire and remember that what you do with that knowledge is your choice. Knowledge + Application = Wisdom
6. I taught my kid to believe in all that stuff: Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, etc. I did so because I thought of it as part of her culture and did not want her to miss out. Now at 12 she tells me she did not need those lies to make the seasons fun. The more I think about it, I used her innocence to manipulate her behavior. "Santa is watching", "Only good girls get toys", and such seems so wicked to me now. I actually repeated lied to a loved one, took advantage of a child's innocence and I feel pretty rotten about it. I won't lying to anymore kids about Santa and I encourage my friends not to lie to their kids.
7. I was told as a child, there was no Santa Claus. I was told he was a character created to enhance the holiday and i was fine with it. I appreciated Christmas more knowing my parents had given me the presents. It makes the holidays more loving knowing it is a family time.
8. im an adult and still believe in Santa its a nice thing to dream about whats wrong with it. Its like God I believe in him but Can't prove he is up in heaven. Santa is a nice thing to believe in especially this time of year.
9. No they shouldn't. You should educate your kids on facts and the truth, why would you tell them something that is not even true? Will feeding them lies and making them believe a fat man can fit through the chimney really make them happy? Sure, if you celebrate Christmas you can still give presents and fill up your stockings or whatever but it isn't necessary to feed your kids bs.
10. I think so. Like Christ, Santa represents goodness, love, and the giving of gifts. His "magic" is easier for kids to understand than the concept of Jesus' and the gifts He brought. So kids begin to see Christmas (Christ's birth) as a season of love, joy, goodwill and thankfulness. All things that Christ represents, and wants us to feel about what He did for us.
11. We played santa, but I was sure always to use the word "game", so that when my girls were older they would know that I had not been deceiving them. Despite this one asked me "is Santa real", and I immediately said "no, its a nice game to give presents". We continued to play the santa game for several years after they both had no doubt that it wasn't real.
12. We all grew up believing in the existence of Santa , and only when we came to grow up , we realised that all this was fiction.It did not matter to us then , but after being born again and come to the knowledge of the 25th December being a day of feasting as the sun was returning from the southern solstice.The tree and Santa were all part of mythology , though the tree was adorned and bedecked in gold and silver trappings before being worshipped.Isaiah 44 : 14 to 17 this tree worship is expounded .If we should teach our children this myth , we shall be answerable to the Lord our God, as He expects us to teach our children the truth from the very first of their understanding.There would be many disagreement , but we do not answer to man of this world , but stand before the God of all ages in the day of judgement , and what will our answer be??? We as grown ups know the truth that there is no Santa etc. and should live by that truth - Jesus teaches " that the truth will set us free."