To Santa or not to Santa

I don't Santa.  I let the kids take turns filling stockings.  They take turns filling shoes for St. Nicholas.  They do not receive mystery presents from "Santa".  They do give mystery gifts to adults and mark it "Santa".  Santa is a game we like to play. 

I recently read of a situation where a teacher had a discussion about different holidays.  Kindergartners were allowed to discuss (shocking) whether their family does or does not practice Christmas, Santa, Hanukah, Diwali, or other holidays.  The person I know was upset that on her child's first day at a new school this discussion led him to be cynical.

Tonight as we set up the Christmas Tree and put on hats and coats lP and B started to play "waiting for santa"  I thought they were just playing.  I had to tell M several times to leave them alone and just have fun.  But lP was too convincing and B went to bed believing in Santa.  I told him "That was a fun game."  And he replied "Santa is real and I believe."  "I believe in God."  I said.  "I believe in God, and Santa, and St. Nicholas.  But Santa is St. Nicholas."

I talked to lP about how she was setting up for a heart ache and that she should not have tricked him into false belief.  I told lP "Good news, we're going to the Zoo tomorrow!"  The girls squealed in delight and then I told them that actually we aren't going to the zoo, and asked them how that feels.

I don't understand the mass insanity of Santa worship.  I'm ok with his being a historically real person.  But why all the fantastical stories and magical acts?  And why is the belief in Santa so sacred when we all know it is an obvious falsehood.  I've heard parents say they never told their children to believe in Santa, but that they did write the child a letter from Santa when they were doubting.  Seriously!  Would you write your child a letter from their girlfriend that wanted to break up, but write them a love letter and say it is from the girl so they can believe a little longer?  Psycho.

As Christians, creating the belief in Santa is encouraging the children to worship a false God.  They are told to be good so "he" will give them presents.  Why do we do this?  And because the worship of Santa is tied to the time we should be celebrating the birth of Christ, nobody can suggest that this is actually something that takes away from the focus on the worship of Christ.  Because... Santa!

What if instead of Santa we worshiped Uncle Sam?  He knows if you've been good or bad and he brings presents on the 4th of July!  Wouldn't that be so cool?

I'm pretty sure I've written before about how the belief in Santa is actually a very useful tool for Satan in destroying faith.  When a child discovers that their parents went to such lengths to foster false belief in Santa, what other beliefs are false, Church?  Morality?

I think encouraging the magic and belief in santa is actually a very selfish act.  It is really cute to see children believe in Santa.  And it's so easy to fan the flames of that belief and continue to see the hope shining in their sweet eyes.  You know it's not going to last forever and parents, selfishly, want it to last a little longer for their own enjoyment.  Obviously this is not an opinion that win friends and influences people.  Go me!

The article of faith for our church that is very useful here is:  We claim the privilege of worshiping all mighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience and allow all men the same privilege.  Let them worship how, where or what they may. 

Happy Holidays!

Laborers

Today one of the speakers in church talked about the parable of the laborers.  He said that the men who worked all day had the benefit of knowing all day that they would have the money to support their family.  The men who weren't hired on until the end of the day spent the day in disappointment and worry that they were not going to be able to support their family.  That the master granted them each the same wage is wonderful.

We have several rules in our house.  No choking is rule number one.  But also on the list is to not look in someone else's bowl unless you're concerned that they don't have enough. 

I am grateful for our bounteous life and know that happiness comes from not being concerned about what other people got.  Be grateful for what you have and share with those that have less.

Family culture

My sister recently posted on facebook that not all families learn portion control or recreational fitness.  And that they shouldn't be judged any more than families that don't have learning to play the piano or speak 2 languages as part of their family culture.

We take the kids to church.  We clean the house sometimes.  We eat home made food.  We use English and Sign Language.  We read scriptures and have family prayer daily.  We talk openly about finances.  We play the piano and other instruments.  We limit screen time.  We homeschool.  We camp.  We go on nature walks.  We visit our relatives.  We read.

I'm grateful for the family culture we have.  I think our kids are pretty lucky.

Family History

I'm having such a nice time reading and seeing family history on Family Search.com
It's amazing to see the memories kept about our ancestors.  The network of cousins and second cousins that have recorded these account is really cool.

Goldstein Joy

Tonight I was able to attend a fireside by Marvin Goldstein and Vanessa Joy.  It was funny and spiritual.  They played hymns and musical tunes.  How Great Thou Art, Fiddler on the roof, The Good, Home (the Wiz).  It was amazing.

We did it!

Last year I took G, M, P, and our friend E to see the Terrain Race.  I made a goal to do that ourselves this year and we did!  This is actual drone footage with a stick figure filter.

We attempted every challenge and the children succeeded at them all.  I was not able to complete 3 that involved upper body strength.  I was so impressed that G and M did the crazy long inclined monkey bars at the end.  It was so exhausting and satisfying.  I'm really pleased with our experience.

September 2018 Stake Conference Notes

Let the Gospel change you into an industrious person.

Kim Jenkins:  Have Charity in your Parenting.  Imagine your life is a creative work and you can sew godly traits into yourself.  Weave them into your character. 

Elder Victor Patrick:  He said his will not be the last testimony, the chorister, interpreter and singers give voice to the spirit. 
 Remember General Namaan who had leprosy. No miracle until after the trial of faith.  Faith and insanity are different because faith is true. 
Flirt to convert... 
Your faith is becoming stronger or weaker. 
Paul says works meaning you won't be saved through your works.  James is saying that when you have faith, you will work.  Satan and his followers know Jesus is real, but they don't have faith because they don't act in consistency with that knowledge.
Those marching around Jericho for 7 days had to live with faith.  There will be a lot of nothing before the miracles.  The longer you wait, the more miraculous.  Care about the things that are going to matter 1,000 years from now.
Live according to Faith in Jesus Christ, that leads to joy.
Everything that stands between us and happiness, Christ knows and his atonement overcomes.

We don't have good words to describe joyful tears.