Comments on: Santa Rocks! http://adrianschoonmaker.wordpress.com/2007/12/02/santa-rocks/ reflecting, refocusing, refueling, renewing, retooling, rebuilding, restoring ... "Yachts for Souls" Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:38:18 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: » To Santa or Not to Santa The Coaching Pair: Guiding you to your destiny http://adrianschoonmaker.wordpress.com/2007/12/02/santa-rocks/#comment-68 » To Santa or Not to Santa The Coaching Pair: Guiding you to your destiny Sat, 10 May 2008 16:00:13 +0000 http://adrianschoonmaker.wordpress.com/2007/12/02/santa-rocks/#comment-68 [...] Link of the Day Santa Rocks! [...] [...] Link of the Day Santa Rocks! [...]

]]> By: Marie Blackburn http://adrianschoonmaker.wordpress.com/2007/12/02/santa-rocks/#comment-39 Marie Blackburn Mon, 17 Dec 2007 05:39:57 +0000 http://adrianschoonmaker.wordpress.com/2007/12/02/santa-rocks/#comment-39 Thanks Adrian Thanks Adrian

]]> By: Marie Blackburn http://adrianschoonmaker.wordpress.com/2007/12/02/santa-rocks/#comment-38 Marie Blackburn Mon, 17 Dec 2007 05:33:59 +0000 http://adrianschoonmaker.wordpress.com/2007/12/02/santa-rocks/#comment-38 Very well said Adrian, I too grew up with the knowledge of Sanat Clause. He was by no means the center of the Christmas season but it was fun receiving gifts. I have a collection of black santas and I put them all away this year all except two praying santa's that I found at Homegoods in Falmouth. The praying Santas are bowing on their knees with their hands clasped in prayer and I display them with the scripture Romans 14:11 " It is written: As surely as I live says the Lord, every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God. I also wrote "Even Santa Claus will say he;s God. By way of introduction I am Marie Blackburn from Heritage Christian Church I met you guys today. Well done! Very well said Adrian,
I too grew up with the knowledge of Sanat Clause. He was by no means the center of the Christmas season but it was fun receiving gifts.
I have a collection of black santas and I put them all away this year all except two praying santa’s that I found at Homegoods in Falmouth. The praying Santas are bowing on their knees with their hands clasped in prayer and I display them with the scripture Romans 14:11 ” It is written: As surely as I live says the Lord, every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God. I also wrote “Even Santa Claus will say he;s God. By way of introduction I am Marie Blackburn from Heritage Christian Church I met you guys today. Well done!

]]> By: Shannon http://adrianschoonmaker.wordpress.com/2007/12/02/santa-rocks/#comment-36 Shannon Wed, 12 Dec 2007 21:22:14 +0000 http://adrianschoonmaker.wordpress.com/2007/12/02/santa-rocks/#comment-36 Hi, Adrian. I think it's clear that we both agree about children and imagination. It looks as if I read too much into the whole C.S. Lewis thing after doing as you suggested and rereading your blog (implying that you were comparing Santa to Christ as Aslan is a Christ figure in The Chronicles). However, it's true that we part company when it comes to simple imagination and believing in Santa. These other imaginary stories and games you mentioned (Thomas, playing horsey, trolls, etc.) are understood in the context of play. Unless you're meaning to say that your children believe these other things actually exist as well?? I don't take that from what you're saying, but I don't want to assume either. I have to say though that it appears you're trying to justify your position by using the imagination argument. My children love it when they know it's time for us to go Christmas shopping. They love making out their Christmas lists. They have watched year after year stories such as "Santa Clause Is Coming To Town" and others. So, they (and we) enjoy this time of year. But they've never believed that Santa was real just as they've never believed that the "magical land of Sodor" or "Thomas and his friends" were ever real. It hasn't stopped us from reading the books and enjoying the movies, however. The point I'm trying to make is that so many Christians try to sanction lying for Dear Old St. Nick. If we're going to choose to allow our children to believe in Santa (and the Easter Bunny for that matter), then let's just be honest with ourselves and call it what it is - lying. Can we be okay with it? Even though you were/are okay with how your parents dealt with it, can you be absolutely sure your own children will be? And, just because we're okay with it, does it make it okay? Thanks for your response, and Merry Christmas to you and your family as well. Shannon Hi, Adrian. I think it’s clear that we both agree about children and imagination. It looks as if I read too much into the whole C.S. Lewis thing after doing as you suggested and rereading your blog (implying that you were comparing Santa to Christ as Aslan is a Christ figure in The Chronicles). However, it’s true that we part company when it comes to simple imagination and believing in Santa. These other imaginary stories and games you mentioned (Thomas, playing horsey, trolls, etc.) are understood in the context of play. Unless you’re meaning to say that your children believe these other things actually exist as well?? I don’t take that from what you’re saying, but I don’t want to assume either. I have to say though that it appears you’re trying to justify your position by using the imagination argument. My children love it when they know it’s time for us to go Christmas shopping. They love making out their Christmas lists. They have watched year after year stories such as “Santa Clause Is Coming To Town” and others. So, they (and we) enjoy this time of year. But they’ve never believed that Santa was real just as they’ve never believed that the “magical land of Sodor” or “Thomas and his friends” were ever real. It hasn’t stopped us from reading the books and enjoying the movies, however. The point I’m trying to make is that so many Christians try to sanction lying for Dear Old St. Nick. If we’re going to choose to allow our children to believe in Santa (and the Easter Bunny for that matter), then let’s just be honest with ourselves and call it what it is – lying. Can we be okay with it? Even though you were/are okay with how your parents dealt with it, can you be absolutely sure your own children will be? And, just because we’re okay with it, does it make it okay? Thanks for your response, and Merry Christmas to you and your family as well.
Shannon

]]> By: askoonie33 http://adrianschoonmaker.wordpress.com/2007/12/02/santa-rocks/#comment-35 askoonie33 Wed, 12 Dec 2007 02:16:52 +0000 http://adrianschoonmaker.wordpress.com/2007/12/02/santa-rocks/#comment-35 Hi, Shannon. Thanks for the comment! Re-read my blog. Nowhere do I suggest that Santa is a Christ-figure (although that would be a worthwhile discussion!). The Lewis reference is to teach a principle about the joy, even benefits, and harmlessness of wholesome childhood fantasy. And I wholeheartedly agree with you: Children DO understand the difference between a tale and a real story when parents make the distinction clear. "Allowing them to believe in [Santa] is compromising that gift of trust"? Well, we disagree. I guess I'll have to ask my oldest son in a few years, and we'll find out who's right! As I expressed in my blog, your statement was untrue in my life and in the life of every one of my siblings. By the way, what makes you so sure that Santa doesn't exist? Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas, Shannon. Hi, Shannon. Thanks for the comment! Re-read my blog. Nowhere do I suggest that Santa is a Christ-figure (although that would be a worthwhile discussion!). The Lewis reference is to teach a principle about the joy, even benefits, and harmlessness of wholesome childhood fantasy.

And I wholeheartedly agree with you: Children DO understand the difference between a tale and a real story when parents make the distinction clear. “Allowing them to believe in [Santa] is compromising that gift of trust”? Well, we disagree. I guess I’ll have to ask my oldest son in a few years, and we’ll find out who’s right! As I expressed in my blog, your statement was untrue in my life and in the life of every one of my siblings.

By the way, what makes you so sure that Santa doesn’t exist? Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas, Shannon.

]]> By: Shannon Bacon http://adrianschoonmaker.wordpress.com/2007/12/02/santa-rocks/#comment-34 Shannon Bacon Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:09:24 +0000 http://adrianschoonmaker.wordpress.com/2007/12/02/santa-rocks/#comment-34 Comparing Santa to Jesus as C.S. Lewis compared Aslan to Jesus is not an appropriate comparison. Aslan is a Christ-figure, Santa is not (although we can take some great Christian lessons from the historical figure of St Nicholas). Many stories warm our hearts and make us smile, but it doesn't mean we teach them as fact. Children understand the difference between a tale (Thomas the Tank Engine, etc) and a real story when parents make the distinction clear. A tale should be just that, a tale. And certainly we can and should enjoy them. While children should be allowed to imagine,(and truth can be communicated with imaginary stories) they should also be allowed to trust their parents' words. Allowing them to believe in Santa Clause is compromising that gift of trust. Comparing Santa to Jesus as C.S. Lewis compared Aslan to Jesus is not an appropriate comparison. Aslan is a Christ-figure, Santa is not (although we can take some great Christian lessons from the historical figure of St Nicholas). Many stories warm our hearts and make us smile, but it doesn’t mean we teach them as fact. Children understand the difference between a tale (Thomas the Tank Engine, etc) and a real story when parents make the distinction clear. A tale should be just that, a tale. And certainly we can and should enjoy them. While children should be allowed to imagine,(and truth can be communicated with imaginary stories) they should also be allowed to trust their parents’ words. Allowing them to believe in Santa Clause is compromising that gift of trust.

]]> By: askoonie33 http://adrianschoonmaker.wordpress.com/2007/12/02/santa-rocks/#comment-30 askoonie33 Fri, 07 Dec 2007 21:48:14 +0000 http://adrianschoonmaker.wordpress.com/2007/12/02/santa-rocks/#comment-30 You asked me, "Wouldn't that be lying?" Lying is, according to my dictionary, "intentional deception." If building army forts with my boys, and telling them bedtime stories about Thomas the Train's exploits, and riding the imaginary horsey throughout the house... if these are intentional deceptions, then yes, you are right--I am lying to my children. "LYING": To present false information with the intention of deceiving. ... A false statement made with deliberate intent to deceive. If what I'm saying still doesn't make sense, you should spend the two hours to see a fantastic movie, "Life is Beautiful." It will warm your heart and bring a smile to your lips. You asked me, “Wouldn’t that be lying?” Lying is, according to my dictionary, “intentional deception.” If building army forts with my boys, and telling them bedtime stories about Thomas the Train’s exploits, and riding the imaginary horsey throughout the house… if these are intentional deceptions, then yes, you are right–I am lying to my children.

“LYING”: To present false information with the intention of deceiving. … A false statement made with deliberate intent to deceive.

If what I’m saying still doesn’t make sense, you should spend the two hours to see a fantastic movie, “Life is Beautiful.” It will warm your heart and bring a smile to your lips.

]]> By: Tom http://adrianschoonmaker.wordpress.com/2007/12/02/santa-rocks/#comment-29 Tom Fri, 07 Dec 2007 18:39:08 +0000 http://adrianschoonmaker.wordpress.com/2007/12/02/santa-rocks/#comment-29 If you know that Santa doesn't exist and you tell your children that he does, wouldn't that be lying. If you know that Santa doesn’t exist and you tell your children that he does, wouldn’t that be lying.

]]> By: Carlos Hernandez http://adrianschoonmaker.wordpress.com/2007/12/02/santa-rocks/#comment-28 Carlos Hernandez Mon, 03 Dec 2007 17:29:59 +0000 http://adrianschoonmaker.wordpress.com/2007/12/02/santa-rocks/#comment-28 Hey Adrian, We met through Myson during our studies at Regent. It is exciting seeing you working with such a passion for youth. MAy the Lord bless you Hey Adrian, We met through Myson during our studies at Regent. It is exciting seeing you working with such a passion for youth. MAy the Lord bless you

]]> By: Ashley Nieuwsma http://adrianschoonmaker.wordpress.com/2007/12/02/santa-rocks/#comment-27 Ashley Nieuwsma Mon, 03 Dec 2007 14:37:12 +0000 http://adrianschoonmaker.wordpress.com/2007/12/02/santa-rocks/#comment-27 I couldn't have said it better myself! I completely agree with you feelings on the matter. I'll just have to think of some more interesting tales to add to my kids' imaginations as you have. :) I couldn’t have said it better myself! I completely agree with you feelings on the matter. I’ll just have to think of some more interesting tales to add to my kids’ imaginations as you have. :)

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