tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379368.post116466270628067294..comments2023-09-12T10:30:11.935-04:00Comments on Thoughts of Man: Discipleship v. Santa ClausTony Arnoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05497055762329338990noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379368.post-1167169017924787932006-12-26T16:36:00.000-05:002006-12-26T16:36:00.000-05:00Teach her about St. Nicholas instead of "Santa Cla...Teach her about St. Nicholas instead of "Santa Claus." We have four children, the oldest 6, and none of them believe in Santa. They all believe in St. Nick, and the love that he showed, and in the possibility of expressing that love from their own hearts. Christmas becomes, rather than a consumer's delight, the birthday of Christ, and he receives gifts from us inasmuch as we give them to the poor.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379368.post-1164727629736417932006-11-28T10:27:00.000-05:002006-11-28T10:27:00.000-05:00I actually thought about you and your family the o...I actually thought about you and your family the other day, wondering how you will handle the whole Christmas/Santa thing. My parents never had me believing in Santa Claus. They said it was a story, and that Mom and Dad are Santa. I'm not sure why I didn't go around sharing this knowledge unless it was because I liked knowing something that the other kids didn't know. I think it made me feel "smart" somehow.<BR/><BR/>On another note, I knew a preacher who, upon the occasion of his kids finding out there was no Santa, was asked, "Why did you lie to us?" It created a tense moment.<BR/><BR/>The question of why does God lets poor people suffer could be answered by saying that God made it our jobs to make sure that the poor people that we know do not suffer, and regrettably, some people do not do their jobs very well.JMGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15163521274652768781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379368.post-1164724783535624402006-11-28T09:39:00.000-05:002006-11-28T09:39:00.000-05:00Thanks for that bit of encouragement Phil. That i...Thanks for that bit of encouragement Phil. That is a great way of looking at it. Now if I can just stay out of God's way and let Him work on her, all will be well.<BR/><BR/>Through our concern for Maria, Anita and I are ever more attuned to avoiding materialism at all costs (pun intended).<BR/><BR/>TonyTony Arnoldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05497055762329338990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379368.post-1164724468590636362006-11-28T09:34:00.000-05:002006-11-28T09:34:00.000-05:00I read an interview in the Nashville Scene about 1...I read an interview in the Nashville Scene about 10 years ago with a Rabbi who said he was glad they didn't have Christmas because when children stopped believing in Santa, it was much easier for them to take the next step to not believing in God.<BR/><BR/>I think it's good that Maria is recognizing the inequity between the classes. It heightens the possibility that she will be one of the people that will try and do something about it.Philhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11540149196113374329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379368.post-1164724258145708522006-11-28T09:30:00.000-05:002006-11-28T09:30:00.000-05:00I do believe that our children are one way God kee...I do believe that our children are one way God keeps us on our knees. I know my mom is still there for me--and I am most definitely there for our 3. I am so thankful I have that outlet--and trust He is faithful.jettybettyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04351615360394477260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379368.post-1164723121784587672006-11-28T09:12:00.000-05:002006-11-28T09:12:00.000-05:00Thanks JB. I know you have much experience in the...Thanks JB. I know you have much experience in these areas.<BR/><BR/>TonyTony Arnoldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05497055762329338990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379368.post-1164688493991506382006-11-27T23:34:00.000-05:002006-11-27T23:34:00.000-05:00Your little girl is growing up!!We have created a ...Your little girl is growing up!!<BR/><BR/>We have created a monster with Santa and Christ in Christmas--it probably started innocently enough--and it has gotten out of control! <BR/><BR/>From the bit I know you and A., I believe you are living out just what M needs to see. <BR/><BR/>Have fun with *Santa* while you can (someone will probably "tell" her soon anyway)--but keep living like it's all about Jesus.jettybettyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04351615360394477260noreply@blogger.com