How to Explain Santa Claus to Christian Children

As Christians, we teach our children that Christmas Day is the birth of Jesus and that is why we celebrate. The world has slowly integrated Santa Claus as a compliment to Christmas, making him the focus of their celebration. Unfortunately, we have become offended by this invasion of the truth, and we often take a stand against Santa Claus. Since this is a very controversial issue in our world that can affect our children, we need to understand who Santa Claus is and put him in his proper perspective in our children’s lives. We need to do this so that our children aren’t persecuted in their schools as they take a stance that they don’t understand, against a character that is no threat to anyone. Here are a few suggestions on how to keep Jesus as the center of Christmas without totally tossing out Santa.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

How to Explain Santa Claus to A Christian Child

1. Teach your children that Christmas is Jesus’ birthday, and that He is the only reason that we celebrate Christmas.
2. Keep the decorations in your home all focused around Jesus.
3. Let your home be filled with all the inspiring Christmas songs that give praise and honor to Jesus, but let there be "fun" songs that the children can enjoy as well.
4. Teach your children the truth about Santa Claus, so that they can know who he was and where he belongs in the Christmas Celebration.

Tips & Warnings

• We need to understand some facts about Santa Claus.
• He is also known as Saint Nicholas and was born in Patara of Lycia around the middle of the third century. His parents were very wealthy, devout Christians who provided him with a Christian upbringing and education. Unfortunately, he was orphaned at an early age.
• When he grew up, he was ordained a priest, and eventually became the Bishop of his district, being known as the Bishop of Myra of Lycia. He was appointed “Saint” Nicholas, a man of great faith, who was known for his struggle in the name of Orthodoxy and for his charity and love for children. He used his great wealth to help all who were in need, including poor families, widows and especially orphans and poor children. As Bishop, he founded a poorhouse, many hostelries and a hospital.
• He became the epitome of Christian love and affection, honored by Christians around the world and considered to be the great patron Saint of children and the cheerful giver of gifts. His intention was only to help people and spread the love of the Lord, and this was his mission for most of his adult life. It was never to put himself on an equal or higher pedestal than Jesus. The world did that by changing the man into a myth.
• When we share with our children the love that Saint Nicholas had for God’s children many years ago and what he did to bless them, our children will see that Christ is still the focus of our celebration and that Santa Claus was actually a man who was on a mission to bless God’s children.
• Unfortunately, over the years the reality of this giving person was transformed into a magical character that has now become the theme for the world's Christmas. But for Christians, we know him as a person who gave everything he had to make life a bit easier to so many people. And his life is a testimony that we should pass on to our children, thus giving Santa Claus the right perspective at Christmas.