temporal1 wrote:when our children were young, it dawned on me, "Santa is a real idea."
Wade wrote: .. It is the most miserable time of year if I let it get to me.
it is the most miserable time of year for many, for different reasons. i think it's wise to remember this and be conscientious about others. remembering others helps keep perspective to keep going, as others struggle to keep going.
it's possible to be both grateful and hurting at the same time.
hold gratitude close. it will carry you.
Maybe the culture where we live or what I grew up with is so different?
So keep in mind this is my experience and maybe the culture where you live is different from what I am going to say:
A person cannot partake in #1 & #2 without condoning and making everybody think that you encourage the lie of Santa Clause flying his sleigh of reindeer around the world in one night placing presents on Christmas trees for all the girls and boys.
Santa is all that Christmas is. The tree is only for Santa to put presents under, the lights are to attract Santa to your house, the decorations are to remind of Santa, Santa, Santa...
Santa coming down the chimney is a lie, and every liar will have his part in the lake of fire.
I don't have a single relative on my side that goes to church or that openly publicly confess that they are a Christian and the majority openly confess to atheism. So they often get pleasure arguing and to dig in wherever they think they can try to hurt.
So this time of year isn't miserable with the time we have with my wife and children but with nearly everybody else after a visit we have to sit down and explain truth to our children instead of lies and that Christmas isn't about Santa and getting drunk.
It is great to tell them truth but if we go around relatives that endorse Santa at every chance it isn't edifying.
I would love to choose #3 but since we don't have any family whose main theme is Christ, I couldn't see how I could pick #3 but wish I could...
