Once upon a time, Santa was an innocent, jolly old man who would bring wonderful, handmade goods for children. But over time, and as many more Christian families started to allow this character to over-take the spirit of Christmas, corporations turned the char-acter of Santa Claus into a salesman for their products and services during Christ-mas time.
Think about how innocent this picture looks.
However, what are we encouraging children to think about at Christmas time when they are sitting on Santa’s lap? Baby Jesus? Giving to those less fortunate?
NO.
It is about encouraging them to look out among the marketplace and desire products and services.
We are encouraging our children to believe in consumerism, “the equation of personal happiness with consumption of material possessions” at Christmas time.
Why are Christians allowing this to happen? Where is the outcry at this innocent character, Santa Claus?
VeggieTales came out with a Christmas movie some time ago called The Toy That Saved Christmas. The characters must fight against a toy maker that is marketing to and convincing all the children to want a certain toy for Christmas, instead of learning about and focusing on the true meaning of Christmas.
This video was ahead of its time. The video depicts the dangers of influencing children to desire products and services during Christmas time.
Even Wikipedia acknowledges there is criticism to the “innocence” of Santa Claus.
There has long been opposition to teaching children to believe in Santa Claus. Some Christians say the Santa tradition detracts from the religious origins and purpose of Christmas. Other critics feel that Santa Claus is an elaborate lie, and that it is unethical for parents to teach their children to believe in his existence. Still others oppose Santa Claus as a symbol of the commercialization of the Christmas holiday, or as an intrusion upon their own national traditions. – Wikipedia
So, as we come into this Christmas season what we will be teaching our children?
Will we enter into the frenzy of gift hunting, teaching our children that Christmas is about shopping?
Will we go into more debt to buy more products and services, teaching our children that Christmas is about slavery to the credit cards?
Or will we focus on Jesus’ birth and the purpose of His coming? It’s our choice. To make a change to this culture that is thriving within the Christian community, please go to:
DebtFreeChristmas.org
Image by kevindooley & howcheng
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