Comments on: Santa http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2006/11/santa/ Truth Will Prevail Thu, 24 May 2012 18:26:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Steve H http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2006/11/santa/#comment-215710 Steve H Thu, 21 Dec 2006 07:13:40 +0000 http://www.timesandseasons.org/?p=3602#comment-215710 And all children love Santa. My daughter pretty much thinks he's scary, and I don't think that's too hard to understand, since, really, a guy in a red suit that doesn't really talk to other adults is a bit odd. I think the prospect of presents is the only thing that keeps kids going back to Santa. I don't think in the curent state of society Santa is naturally appealing to kids without being pruposefully brought to think he is in spite of himself. If there is nothing beyond what our five senses can prove, then are we anything? But what there is beyond our senses is not a jolly elf. Since the thread is a bit on the older side, I'll just make a shameless plug for my longer explanation for my own reasons for being increasingly anti-santi here http://www.splendidsun.com/wp/index.php/2006/12/20/235 And all children love Santa.
My daughter pretty much thinks he’s scary, and I don’t think that’s too hard to understand, since, really, a guy in a red suit that doesn’t really talk to other adults is a bit odd. I think the prospect of presents is the only thing that keeps kids going back to Santa. I don’t think in the curent state of society Santa is naturally appealing to kids without being pruposefully brought to think he is in spite of himself.

If there is nothing beyond what our five senses can prove, then are we anything?
But what there is beyond our senses is not a jolly elf.
Since the thread is a bit on the older side, I’ll just make a shameless plug for my longer explanation for my own reasons for being increasingly anti-santi here http://www.splendidsun.com/wp/index.php/2006/12/20/235

]]> By: Pam http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2006/11/santa/#comment-215571 Pam Mon, 18 Dec 2006 05:09:25 +0000 http://www.timesandseasons.org/?p=3602#comment-215571 Hi, I guess I get an extra big lump of coal this year. I teach the CTR 8s in my ward. They are 8 years old and have been baptised. Anyway, today a mom called me up after church and lectured me for 20 minutes for teaching false doctrine. One of the children had asked me if there was really a Santa and I truthfully answered that there was a Saint Nicholas, but he lived a long time ago and that they should ask their parents for more information about Santa. I then continued with my prepared lesson on the Savior. The mother claimed her daughter was crushed and that I had taught false doctrine. Let\'s see...how does the First Article of Faith go...We believe in God the Eternal Father, in his Son, Jesus Christ and in Santa Claus??? I guess I am in the anti-santa camp when it comes to 8 year olds believing in Santa. Three year olds maybe....but 8 year olds? Send me those lumps of coal. Hi,
I guess I get an extra big lump of coal this year.
I teach the CTR 8s in my ward. They are 8 years old and have been baptised. Anyway, today a mom called me up after church and lectured me for 20 minutes for teaching false doctrine. One of the children had asked me if there was really a Santa and I truthfully answered that there was a Saint Nicholas, but he lived a long time ago and that they should ask their parents for more information about Santa. I then continued with my prepared lesson on the Savior. The mother claimed her daughter was crushed and that I had taught false doctrine.

Let\’s see…how does the First Article of Faith go…We believe in God the Eternal Father, in his Son, Jesus Christ and in Santa Claus???

I guess I am in the anti-santa camp when it comes to 8 year olds believing in Santa. Three year olds maybe….but 8 year olds?

Send me those lumps of coal.

]]> By: CS Eric http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2006/11/santa/#comment-215010 CS Eric Mon, 04 Dec 2006 20:30:55 +0000 http://www.timesandseasons.org/?p=3602#comment-215010 I know this is late, but I have to tell this story. I used to believe there was no Santa Claus, until about 15 years ago. I took my niece, who was visiting us from St George, Utah, to see the mall Santa in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her name is Jenica, but we usually call her Jen, Jeni, or Jake. When she got to the head of the line and sat on his lap, he greeted her and said \"Hello, Jenica, how are you doing?\" I don\'t know who was more surprised, Jeni or me. He also thanked her for the cookies she left last year. I know he may have been able to guess about the cookies, but only the Real Santa would know her given name. I can\'t think of any other way he would have known. I know this is late, but I have to tell this story. I used to believe there was no Santa Claus, until about 15 years ago. I took my niece, who was visiting us from St George, Utah, to see the mall Santa in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her name is Jenica, but we usually call her Jen, Jeni, or Jake. When she got to the head of the line and sat on his lap, he greeted her and said \”Hello, Jenica, how are you doing?\” I don\’t know who was more surprised, Jeni or me.

He also thanked her for the cookies she left last year. I know he may have been able to guess about the cookies, but only the Real Santa would know her given name. I can\’t think of any other way he would have known.

]]> By: Jon in Austin http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2006/11/santa/#comment-214987 Jon in Austin Mon, 04 Dec 2006 00:40:00 +0000 http://www.timesandseasons.org/?p=3602#comment-214987 Re. 75, It's hard to find one without a $5 fee to get a picture taken with him. Hence, the disappointment of the parents. Santa + Ward Party = Nothing out of pocket other than bringing a green bean casserole. Re. 75,

It’s hard to find one without a $5 fee to get a picture taken with him. Hence, the disappointment of the parents. Santa + Ward Party = Nothing out of pocket other than bringing a green bean casserole.

]]> By: Julie M. Smith http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2006/11/santa/#comment-214986 Julie M. Smith Sun, 03 Dec 2006 22:25:00 +0000 http://www.timesandseasons.org/?p=3602#comment-214986 "There were a lot of protesting parents and disappointed children. " Well, of course. Where on earth could they possibly find a Santa Claus at this time of year besides the ward party? Sheesh. “There were a lot of protesting parents and disappointed children. ”

Well, of course. Where on earth could they possibly find a Santa Claus at this time of year besides the ward party? Sheesh.

]]> By: Santa Hans Hansen http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2006/11/santa/#comment-214985 Santa Hans Hansen Sun, 03 Dec 2006 21:49:21 +0000 http://www.timesandseasons.org/?p=3602#comment-214985 Well, I will be doing Santa for the Ward party this coming Saturday. I last did it two years ago; then the killjoys on the Activities Committee decided they didn't want Santa at last year's party. There were a lot of protesting parents and disappointed children. Fortunately they got rid of the old committee and the new guys contacted me to be there this year. I've had kids in the past come up to me with lists, goodies, and even artwork. It's a lot of fun and the younger kids get a kick out of it because I call them by their names. (I'm the Ward Organist, so they see me up at the console every Sunday, but when I put on the red suit, already have the white hair and beard naturally, they don't recognize me!) Well, I will be doing Santa for the Ward party this coming Saturday. I last did it two years ago; then the killjoys on the Activities Committee decided they didn’t want Santa at last year’s party. There were a lot of protesting parents and disappointed children. Fortunately they got rid of the old committee and the new guys contacted me to be there this year.

I’ve had kids in the past come up to me with lists, goodies, and even artwork. It’s a lot of fun and the younger kids get a kick out of it because I call them by their names. (I’m the Ward Organist, so they see me up at the console every Sunday, but when I put on the red suit, already have the white hair and beard naturally, they don’t recognize me!)

]]> By: Murray Ceff http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2006/11/santa/#comment-214976 Murray Ceff Sun, 03 Dec 2006 11:22:50 +0000 http://www.timesandseasons.org/?p=3602#comment-214976 My nine year old told me that she grew suspicious of Santa when she received an article of clothing from him with a Target tag on it. Cannot remember how old she was at the time (but maybe about 5 or 6) but she asked if Santa was real and I simply said \'no\'. \'Thought so\', she replied. My wife and I had already decided that we would neither promote nor lie about Santa. Like you, I thought \'If what they had been told about Santa was not true, then what could they believe?\' Our daughter was smart enough to believe in him for a short time, but also smart enough to believe he was not real. I am fairly sure that the Jehovahs Witnesses have a ban on Santa. They also have a ban on Christmas, and most other fun things. I think imagination is important, but should not be banned. I also think that we should know the difference between imaginary characters like Santa and real characters like Christ. Congratulations Majorie, for bringing up this subject. After reading T&S for some time now, it's the first time I felt inspired to write something in response to a post. My nine year old told me that she grew suspicious of Santa when she received an article of clothing from him with a Target tag on it. Cannot remember how old she was at the time (but maybe about 5 or 6) but she asked if Santa was real and I simply said \’no\’. \’Thought so\’, she replied. My wife and I had already decided that we would neither promote nor lie about Santa. Like you, I thought \’If what they had been told about Santa was not true, then what could they believe?\’ Our daughter was smart enough to believe in him for a short time, but also smart enough to believe he was not real.

I am fairly sure that the Jehovahs Witnesses have a ban on Santa. They also have a ban on Christmas, and most other fun things. I think imagination is important, but should not be banned. I also think that we should know the difference between imaginary characters like Santa and real characters like Christ.

Congratulations Majorie, for bringing up this subject. After reading T&S for some time now, it’s the first time I felt inspired to write something in response to a post.

]]> By: It's Not Me http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2006/11/santa/#comment-214969 It's Not Me Sun, 03 Dec 2006 04:05:10 +0000 http://www.timesandseasons.org/?p=3602#comment-214969 #41: "I was unpleasantly surprised to see Santa at the ward Christmas party last year. I hope he’s not there this year." Santa showed up at our ward party so I sent the bishop a letter requesting my name be removed from the records of the church. It was the last straw. At the high priest party the month before they were playing secular music (Beethoven). Next thing you know they'll be serving unclean food at ward dinners. #41: “I was unpleasantly surprised to see Santa at the ward Christmas party last year. I hope he’s not there this year.”

Santa showed up at our ward party so I sent the bishop a letter requesting my name be removed from the records of the church. It was the last straw. At the high priest party the month before they were playing secular music (Beethoven). Next thing you know they’ll be serving unclean food at ward dinners.

]]> By: Melinda http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2006/11/santa/#comment-214838 Melinda Thu, 30 Nov 2006 03:55:50 +0000 http://www.timesandseasons.org/?p=3602#comment-214838 When my friend told me the truth about Santa, it cleared up a major life puzzle for me. We were seven. I knew I behaved better than my friend. She talked back to her mom, and I would never do that! However, despite her abysmal behavior, she always got four times as much from Santa as I did. I couldn't figure out why Santa thought she was a better girl than I was. Then she told me the truth about Santa. Mystery solved. It was kind of a relief. I was ticked mom and dad still insisted I go to bed on Christmas Eve since I now knew that I didn't need to be asleep before Santa came. And I didn't even connect Santa to religion, meaning that finding out the truth about Santa didn't even cause a blip on my thoughts about what I learned at church and at FHE. When my friend told me the truth about Santa, it cleared up a major life puzzle for me. We were seven. I knew I behaved better than my friend. She talked back to her mom, and I would never do that! However, despite her abysmal behavior, she always got four times as much from Santa as I did. I couldn’t figure out why Santa thought she was a better girl than I was. Then she told me the truth about Santa. Mystery solved. It was kind of a relief. I was ticked mom and dad still insisted I go to bed on Christmas Eve since I now knew that I didn’t need to be asleep before Santa came.

And I didn’t even connect Santa to religion, meaning that finding out the truth about Santa didn’t even cause a blip on my thoughts about what I learned at church and at FHE.

]]> By: Jim F. http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2006/11/santa/#comment-214835 Jim F. Thu, 30 Nov 2006 02:04:53 +0000 http://www.timesandseasons.org/?p=3602#comment-214835 Why do we divide into groups that care so vehemently about how <i>other</i> people deal with Santa Claus? Why do we divide into groups that care so vehemently about how other people deal with Santa Claus?

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