"I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth..."—2 John 4

Christmas is a wonderful exciting time of the year. For many who are lost it may very well be the only time Jesus comes to their mind. Most of our children find their gifts under the tree early Christmas morning, while others may wrap all their children's presents and the wrappings go flying early that morning. This is a common American tradition which is quite acceptable and normal among believers and non-believers alike. What should stand out among the believers is truth. While we as parents in no way want to deprive our children of the joys, excitements and pleasures that are common. Are we not yet depriving them of truth?

While a family tradition is one thing, a lie is quite another. We were presented with this option of lying or telling the truth when our oldest son was five years old. Christmas Eve night at bedtime he stood at the front door and ask to leave the door unlocked for Santa since we, at the time, didn't have a fireplace. I remember clearly gazing in his precious, innocent face and asking the Lord in my heart what to say to this child. Leaving doors unlocked these days is very dangerous. The scripture that was quicken in my spirit was ---"I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth..." I knew my choice was to go into the big lie or simply tell him the truth. Up until that point I had not explained anything to him about Santa Claus. It was and is something that is just picked up without any effort on our part. I sat him down and told him that I am not going to lie to him and that I never will lie to him about anything. Several years have passed and I rejoice in the seeds that were planted that night. He knows that he may come and ask me anything and I will tell him the truth. The next day or so he presented me with questions about the tooth fairy resulting in the same truthful responses. Our family traditions did not change. Both of our children look forward to their gifts under the tree at Christmas and also the money they receive from daddy when they lose a tooth.

Children should know that there is only one good "spirit" and it is the Holy Spirit. All else are evil spirits and are not welcome in our home. (1John 4:1 "... believe not every spirit, but test the spirits whether they be of God.." ) We also don't want our children to believe that anyone or anything can sneak into our home.

Another problem with the big lie is in situations where the family may be struggling. We give out of our abundance according to the Bible. If a Christian child has been very good all year and is trusting Santa to bring him a new bike but his parents are unable to afford one for some reason or another, what message is that sending to a child? Especially if he sees the neighborhood child or children who he knows to be very hateful or mean children, get five times the amount of gifts that he gets. Will that child believe that doing good and being good has no blessings or rewards, when we know that it does? Every man should enjoy the good of all his labor, it is the gift of God. (Ecc.3:13) Knowing that whatever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord. (Eph. 6:8)

Our children should know their gifts at Christmas does not depend on if they are bad or good. We give because Jesus gave and our giving is not conditional either. Our giving and our children's Christmas gifts are based on our abundance and nothing more. If any of us receive anything based on what we might deserve, then we all deserve nothing. A balanced teaching of these truths is hard enough to teach our children without the subtle teaching of a "merited/earned" Christmas which, usually indirectly, goes right along with the Santa lie without any effort or teaching on our part.

Teaching or agreeing that there is a Santa Claus will leave subtle seeds of mistrust and doubt in your child. You might be saying to yourself right this minute, "Well, it didn't hurt me." Please realize and think about the fact that we only know in part (1Cor. 13:9) and God's ways and thoughts are not the same as ours. How can I or anyone else on earth explain why we do not read God's word as much as we should? Why are we not closer to the Lord or hear his voice as clearly as we should? (John 10:3 "... and the sheep follow him; for they know his voice.") What things in our childhood may have shaped our relationship, or lack thereof, with the Lord today? What subtle seeds of doubt or mistrusting our parents may have been planted that spilled over into our perception of the Lord or into our relationship with Him today? All things work together to shape the lives of our children.

Another aspect to consider is teaching your children to believe in something or someone whom they cannot see. They have to believe in Santa by faith. Santa Claus should not be in the same category as Jesus. Santa Claus was a real person, who is now DEAD, who gave gifts to orphans. The truth can be explained in that manner without sacrificing the truth for a lie and without sacrificing or changing your holidays.

Many years ago, my family was not as knowledgeable in the word, and I was still very young in the Lord. I received much persecution from all over. We were the forerunners in our families. We had the first grandchild and first great-grandchild on all sides. All my grandparents were alive at the time and it was hard on me as I stood alone against everyone in my decision to walk in truth, in all areas of my life. My husband, at that time in his life, gave me very little, if any support in this area. To numerous aunts and uncles, and many others it was said that I had ruined my son's childhood. At the time, the church we were attending didn't teach this message of truth and I was very much alone. I have been abundantly blessed because of that decision and I do not regret it for one moment. All those who will live godly will suffer persecution. The rewards are worth it all! I strive to do what pleases the Lord regardless of what anyone says. I would like the Lord to say of me as he said of Abraham...

"And the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do... and all of the nations of the earth shall be blessed by him...For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice..." Gen. 18:17-19

"Parents should stop telling their kids that there is a Santa Claus because they are lying to their kids, AND Jesus probably isn't too proud of Santa."-- Sent to us from Lori, from Her son-Drew Alley, 11, from Illinois.

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