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"In Patara, there lived a family that had fallen on hard times. They had once been wealthy, but misfortunes had overtaken them, and now they were so poor they had barely enough to live on. The father had tried to find work, but when people saw his soft hands, which had never known any kind of hard labor, they took him to be lazy, and turned him away.

The man had three daughters of marriageable age, but their chances of finding husbands were grim since the father could offer no dowries. (In those days, a young woman needed a dowry to attract an offer of marriage.) As their financial situation grew desperate, the father realized that the only way to ensure the survival of his children was to sell them into servitude. At least that way they would have enough to eat.

When news of the family's plight reached Nicholas, he at once set about thinking of a way to help them. He remembered Jesus' teaching that "when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret" (Matthew 6:3-4 NASB). He soon came up with a plan. That night, he put several gold coins into a small bag and started out for the home of the father and his three daughters.

The hour was late and the streets deserted when he arrived. Inside the house, the family was sleeping. Nicholas crept up to a window, reached through, and dropped the bag of gold. (Some say that it landed in a shoe, others in a stocking that had been left hanging to dry.) Then he hurried away before anyone saw him.

The next morning the family discovered the bag of gold. Weeping with joy and astonishment, they fell to their knees to thank God for the generous gift. Not only did they have money to live on for some time, there was enough to provide a generous dowry for the oldest daughter, and she was soon married.

When Nicholas saw how much happiness his secret gift had caused, he decided the second daughter must have a dowry, too. He went to the house at night, as before, and dropped a second bag through the window. The next morning brought more tears of joy and astonishment, and more thanks to God for the miraculous gift. The second daughter soon had her dowry and was married.

The father dared to hope that his third daughter would also receive a gift that would allow her to marry. But now he was determined to find out who the earthly angel who had saved them might be. Night after night he stayed up, waiting and watching. Finally, late one night, just as he had concluded that their mysterious benefactor had deserted them, a bag of gold came flying through the window.

The man rushed out of the house, ran after the shadowy figure that was hurrying away, and caught it by the cloak. When he recognized Nicholas, he fell to his knees and began to kiss the hands that had helped his family so graciously. Nicholas asked him to stand, and told him to thank God instead. He begged the father not to tell anyone the secret of who had left the gold.

Despite his longing for anonymity, Nicholas's act of generosity set him on the path to becoming the world's most famous gift giver..." full text: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-True-Saint-Nicholas/William-J-Bennett/e/9781416567462#EXC

Response to comment [from a According to Carlos Santana, on a Macy's advertisement which aired during "the holidays", 2008, "Without Santa, there'd be no child-like faith."]

I don't' know about that. But, I don't think stories are a bad thing. [An excerpt from The Power of Myth: Lessons from Joseph Campbell by Belden C. Lane] "I happened to encounter the book while at Magdalen College in Oxford, home of C. S. Lewis, who was himself fascinated with myth. In fact, it was along Addison's Walk in that college one autumn night in 1931 that Lewis engaged his friend J. R. R. Tolkien in a conversation on myth. Lewis, who had not yet been converted to the Christian faith, experienced that night something of a pre-evangelical conversion to the power of myth. Tolkien had been arguing that the mythic language of silver elves and moon-lit trees carried a far richer truth than Lewis the rationalist had been willing to admit. As they spoke a gust of wind swept the fall leaves around them in a flurry of enchantment, as if to authenticate what had just been said. Lewis never forgot that night and the experience that gave birth to his love of myth, his openness to Christian faith, and his later forays into the land of Narnia." Full text: The Power of Myth: Lessons from Joseph Campbell

C.S. Lewis' son said that his dad considered his works pre-evangelical. The character Aslan, a lion, was written to be a Christ-like figure. I think the Narnia stories are great for kids.

The seven books:

1.1 The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950)
1.2 Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia (1951)
1.3 The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1952)
1.4 The Silver Chair (1953)
1.5 The Horse and His Boy (1954)
1.6 The Magician's Nephew (1955)
1.7 The Last Battle (1956)

Response to comment [from a Christian]: "A stupid tradition. I'm not going to lie to kids about Santa. Personally, I don't really like anything about the Christmas traditions anymore. I don't want gifts. I don't want to buy you gifts. I don't want trees inside the house. I don't want to decorate. I don't need the extra doses of diabetes/obesity/heart disease causing foods. The songs are annoying. Santa is annoying. The bell ringers at Walmart should be shot. I've heard enough sermons on Luke 1-2. And so on. Now, I don't really care if you want to celebrate Santa or baby Jesus or both, just don't view me as a heathen for not wanting to participate."

Response to comment [from a Christian]: "I have come to loathe most of the traditions (Black Friday, Santa, the season of getting, etc). Even some campaigns initiated by Christians can be so annoying. Things like Keep Christ in CHRISTmas!, Happy holidays? Which holiday you infidel?, Jesus is the Reason for the Season and Santa = Treason!"

Bill O'Reilly seems to try to make an issue of "Merry Christmas" insistence each year. He doesn't talk about Jesus the rest of the year though. He refers to God as "the deity". Maybe he likes to feel spiritual goose bumps during this season.

Response to comment [from a Christian]: "Santa is once a year, while Christ is 365. My children can differentiate the two."

24-7 and 365!

Response to comment [from a "Christian"]: "Santa is a agent of darkness. Along with the tree, the lights the celebration and spirit of Christmas. In fact the whole Christmas celebration is pagan. Along with birthdays."

"Some Christians say that since the world celebrates Christmas—although it is becoming more and more politically correct to refer to it as ‘the holidays’—Christians should avoid it. But that is the same argument made by false religions that deny Christ altogether, as well as cults such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses who deny His deity. Those Christians who do celebrate Christmas often see the occasion as an opportunity to proclaim Him as ‘the reason for the season’ among the nations and to those trapped in false religions...

...[T]here is no legitimate scriptural reason not to celebrate Christmas. At the same time, there is no biblical mandate to celebrate either." Full text: Should Christians celebrate Christmas http://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-Christmas.html

"The modern custom of a Christmas tree does not come from any form of paganism. There is no evidence of any pagan religion decorating a special holiday tree for their mid-winter festivals, although the Romans celebrated the winter solstice with a festival called Saturnalia in honor of Saturnus, the god of agriculture. They decorated their houses with greens and lights and exchanged gifts. Late in the Middle Ages, Germans and Scandinavians placed evergreen trees inside their homes or just outside their doors to show their hope in the forthcoming spring. The first Christmas tree was decorated by Protestant Christians in 16th-century Germany. Our modern Christmas tree evolved from these early German traditions, and the custom most likely came to the United States with Hessian troops during the American Revolution, or with German immigrants to Pennsylvania and Ohio." Full text: Should we have a Christmas Tree? Does the Christmas Tree have its origin in ancient pagan rituals?

"There is no specific prohibition against celebrating birthdays in Scripture, nor is there anything to indicate we should celebrate them. Scripturally speaking, it is a non-issue. The Bible does mention two individuals celebrating birthdays; the Egyptian Pharaoh in Joseph’s time (Genesis 40:20), and King Herod in the time of Jesus (Matthew 14:6; Mark 6:21). Some point to these non-believing individuals as evidence that celebrating birthdays is wrong, some form of pagan ritual. However, the Bible does not state, or even hint, that it was wrong for Pharaoh or Herod to celebrate their birthdays. Neither does Scripture anywhere discourage anyone from celebrating a birthday..." Full text: Should Christians celebrate birthdays?

"...[T]he Bible does not speak against celebrating holidays. The Bible mentions several “celebrations” that the Israelites observed: Passover, Pentecost, Purim, New Moon, etc. The difference between these holidays and the holidays celebrated today is that some of our modern holidays have pagan or even anti-Christian origins. Christmas and Easter began as attempts to redefine a pagan holiday with a Christian meaning, i.e., the Easter bunny, the Christmas tree, giving gifts, hunting for eggs, etc.

That leaves us with a difficult decision – should we continue a practice that was started as a pagan religious ritual? Here are a few things to consider: (A) Does the holiday in any way promote false doctrine or immorality (Galatians 5:19-23)? (B) Can we thank God for what we observe on a holiday (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)? (C) Will celebrating the holiday detract from your Christian testimony / witness (Philippians 2:15)? This is a decision a Christian family needs to make together. Pray to God, asking Him what He would have you to do (James 1:5)." Full text: Should a Christian celebrate holidays?

Response to comment [from a pagan]: "OK, then why did you follow up with: [Quote:] "The difference between these holidays and the holidays celebrated today is that some of our modern holidays have pagan or even anti-Christian origins. Christmas and Easter began as attempts to redefine a pagan holiday with a Christian meaning, i.e., the Easter bunny, the Christmas tree, giving gifts, hunting for eggs, etc."

The reader may consider each article. They are written by two different authors. It takes discernment. A good rule of thumb is--don't worship trees.

"Are you confused? Is your software broken? Or did you neglect to read it before making your post?"

"Are you really a pagan in disguise trying to turn others away from Christianity?"

The two writings link to a Christian site (http://www.gotquestions.org). I would recommend all dirt-worshippers (Enyart) consider their claims. They provide sound biblical teaching.

I can't help that your learning curve is flatlining. Not only did I read each link, I highlighted the pertinent portions.

Does it matter? You will be rejecting it anyway. It's for the benefit of the reader.

[In Defense of Santa by Dennis Prager] "Every year, during Christmas week on my radio show, I devote an hour to defending Santa Claus. It may seem odd that I have to, but many parents in homes that celebrate Christmas have misgivings about allowing their children to believe in Santa. Their arguments against Santa go as follows: 1. Christian children should be taught to focus solely on the religious meaning of Christmas, and Santa Claus detracts from that. 2. It is hypocritical, if not dishonest, of parents to allow children to believe in something the parents know to be untrue. 3. Once children realize Santa doesn't exist, they will question everything else they were told to believe in, including God. If Santa turns out to be make-believe, maybe God is, too. 4. By having children give Santa lists of presents they want, children learn to be materialistic. 5. If the gifts they receive are attributed Santa Claus, children will not be grateful to their parents for those gifts. These arguments are all well-intentioned but wrong, as a response to each argument will show. 1. Belief in Santa does not necessarily detract from the sanctity of Christmas. It does so only if Santa is the only thing celebrated on that day. Any family that includes prayer, ideally with co-religionists at a house of prayer, and speaks of the deeper meaning of the holy day, has nothing to worry about. On the contrary, religious homes need to include enormous amounts of joy and fun in order to raise children who will love their religion and love God. 2. Parents are neither dishonest nor hypocritical when they allow their children to believe in Santa. Is a parent who tells a child that the Tooth Fairy left a dollar for the child's tooth dishonest? If a child meets Mickey Mouse at Disneyland, must an honest parent say to the child, "That's not really Mickey, he's just a paid employee in a Mickey Mouse outfit"? Of course not. God forbid parents should eliminate all pretend characters from a child's life. And as for truth, we tell children whole truths when they are old enough to understand them, which usually means once they ask. Otherwise parents would tell young children the anatomical details of sexual intercourse in order to explain how they were conceived. The issue of parental truth-telling only arises if you answer falsely to a question your child asks. If your child directly asks, "Is there really such a man as Santa Claus?" it is wrong to say yes with no further explanation. A parent should come as close to never lying to a child as possible. 3. It is pretty hard to imagine that anyone ever stopped believing in God solely because they discovered Santa Claus is a pretend character. You might as well argue that young people become atheists when they realize Barney isn't really a dinosaur or that no duck talks. Only if you, the parent, believe that God is no more real than Santa will your child ever link the two. 4. If you are worried about your child becoming materialistic, limit the number and price of gifts he or she can request of Santa. As one young woman told me, her mother used to tell her, "Jesus only got three gifts, why should you get more?" Or tell your child that Santa takes the most gifts to poor children who don't have nearly as much as he or she does. 5. No matter whom the gifts come from, kids have to be taught to be grateful for them. If your child is grateful to Santa, then gratitude has been learned, and that is what matters. Needing the gratitude to be directed to you is self-serving. Let your child learn to be grateful to you for all you do on the other 364 days of the year. If your family does not celebrate Christmas, none of this applies. But if it does, let your little children enjoy Santa. It is one more thing that contributes to their innocence. And the longer you enable your children to be innocent, the happier and healthier they will be as adults. They will have a whole lifetime to learn that Santa -- and a lot more -- isn't real. Why rush?" In Defense of Santa

Response to comment [from a Christian]: "Looking to non-Christians regarding doctrinal issues is very poor judgment, Serpentdove."

I do not look to Dennis Prager for doctrinal issues. I do not consider Santa a doctrinal issue. If that's the hill you wish to die on--so be it (1 Cor 5:10).

Response to comment [from a Christian]: "SD, the issue is being raised here as a doctrinal issue; that's the whole point of this entire thread, right from the OP."

I do not go to Dennis Prager for doctrinal issues. Nonetheless, his essay is interesting. He is speaking about the innocence of childhood. If you feel a need to discuss deeper theological issues with your three-year-old while reading The Three Little Pigs, go ahead.

He may prefer the local librarian's rendition of the story (1 Cor 5:10).

"...And you responded to that by supporting your view with words from someone in rebellion against God."

Prager can't make a good point about "the issue" of Santa? He's not an issue at all unless we make him one.

"As a former witch, I recognize better than many the harmful impact of teaching children magical stories and connecting them to Jesus..."

The Holy Spirit is able to make himself known (Ge 6:3) even after a child reads The Grinch Who Stole Christmas (I think "roast beast" is Satanic. Dr. Seuss should have said "roast beef"--it's a conspiracy! :burnlib:

"...setting children up for a fall, so they will necessarily learn that these fairy tales are false, but then they're expected to believe Jesus is real."

Fairy tales are false. Jesus is real. The world is filled with deception (1 Tim. 4:1–3). Yet, the Holy Spirit is able to reach every person (1Co 2:10,13). He knows when to withdraw from incorrigible sinners (Gen. 6:3; Deut. 32:30; Psa. 51:11; Prov. 1:24–28; Jer. 7:29; Hos. 4:17, 18; Hos. 5:6; Hos. 9:12; Matt. 15:14; Luke 13:7; Rom. 1:24, 26, 28).

"[W]hen it comes to lying to children to get them to believe in false, supernatural/magical fairy tales in direct relation to the true story of Jesus, this is a matter of right and wrong, and it regards the spiritual well-being of children. So, yes, that is a serious issue..."

Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled [1 Cor. 8:7].

The weak ones, the babes in Christ, the carnal Christians, these were the ones who were offended by the meat offered to idols. They did not have the knowledge. Their consciences bothered them. So they criticized the others who felt at liberty to eat the meat.

May I say that we still find the same thing today. We have people who call themselves separated Christians. They think they are being very spiritual when, actually, they are revealing that they don’t have the knowledge. They are the ones who say you can’t do this and that. They are the ones who are offended at Christians who use their Christian liberty. They are like the Christians at Corinth who were offended when they were served meat offered to idols and said, “Oh, no, we are separated. We won’t touch that meat.” That kind of separation is not due to spirituality; it is due to ignorance.

McGee, J. V. (1997, c1981). Thru the Bible commentary. Based on the Thru the Bible radio program. (electronic ed.) (5:39). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.