Santa Claus and Easter Bunny

[Sopranette]

Every year, I get pressure from family members to include Santa Claus as part of our Christmas celebration. I also get pushed towards including the Easter Bunny in our Easter celebration. "OH, it's just part of a "normal" childhood", they say. "It's going to make them really unpopular with the other kids when they say there is no Santa Clause or Easter Bunny", they say. They give me examples of other Baptists who DO include these characters in their holidays. You'd think we were beating them black and blue! Well, our kids know Christmas is when we celebrate Jesus' birthday, and Easter is when Jesus went up to Heaven (they're preschoolers). I'm proud of the fact they have no clue as to who the Easter Bunny is, and Santa Claus is like Mickey Mouse in their minds. Yes, they still get gifts at Christmas, but it is in the spirit of a very special birthday party. I mean, what's next? Dressing them as wizards and ghosts for Halloween? I know they'll reach an age where this will become a moot point, but it's still agravating! Why take away from the miracle of these events with cartoon characters?

love,

Sopranette

 

[HankD]

Every year, I get pressure from family members to include Santa Claus as part of our Christmas celebration. I also get pushed towards including the Easter Bunny in our Easter celebration. "OH, it's just part of a "normal" childhood", they say. "It's going to make them really unpopular with the other kids when they say there is no Santa Clause or Easter Bunny", they say. They give me examples of other Baptists who DO include these characters in their holidays. You'd think we were beating them black and blue! Well, our kids know Christmas is when we celebrate Jesus' birthday, and Easter is when Jesus went up to Heaven (they're preschoolers). I'm proud of the fact they have no clue as to who the Easter Bunny is, and Santa Claus is like Mickey Mouse in their minds. Yes, they still get gifts at Christmas, but it is in the spirit of a very special birthday party. I mean, what's next? Dressing them as wizards and ghosts for Halloween? I know they'll reach an age where this will become a moot point, but it's still agravating! Why take away from the miracle of these events with cartoon characters?

love,

Sopranette

Excellent points.

Here's an idea, why don't we believers rename these "Holidays" to Incarnation Day and Resurrection Day.


HankD

 

[Sopranette]

Thank you, Brother Hank! Since the time they were born, we've gotten this kind of harassment! We've even had relatives sneak in Bunny baskets at Easter! I try to be sensitive to other's beliefs, why can't they be respectful of ours? We feel like outsiders sometimes for sure! But I feel we are raising our kids with a respect for real and a sacred reverence for these special days, and they don't seem to be suffering any! They are already inundated with other cultures, but somehow ours is "wrong" in some way! Go figure!

love,

Sopranette

 

[ReformedBaptist]

Neither have we taught our children to believe in something false by lying to them. We have gotten more flack for homeschooling than for this, but we have been somewhat looked at as depriving our children of "fun" by teaching them the truth.

The fact is, we are not under any biblical mandate to celebrate any of those holidays, let alone to teach the things contained in them. In such things I believe Christians have liberty, but not to teach falsehood.

 

[North Carolina Tentmaker]

Rom 14:5-6
One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it.

I appreciate all of you and your dedication towards your children.

My children grew up hearing both the Christmas Story and the Nativity Story as they grew older they learned which were true and which were the inventions of man. I never had a problem with Santa Clause and we always used it as an example of God's gifts to us. I doubt if any of my kids ever believed in an egg laying majical bunny but they still got easter baskets and peanut butter eggs for easter (hey I get those too). I don't think the easter bunny ever distracted from our celebration of Christ and as our children have gotten older our easter celbration has included more serious aspects like sunrise and good Friday services (although I believe that was Wednesday, we dont want to start that thread again)

I am sorry you have been attacked for the way you choose to celbrate these holidays and I would encourage you to continue to celebrate and teach them as you see fit. They are your kids and its your life. No one has the right to tell you "your doing it wrong." But I would also point out that I don't see how the "cartoon characters" take away from the miracles of God, unless unresponsible parents allow that to happen. Relax, its Christmas, Easter, Halloween, Arbor Day, Groundhog Day, or whatever holiday you want to celebrate. I know they are teaching tools to use with our children, but they can be fun and filled with family tradition as well.

 

[LeBuick]

I agree those things should not be part of any Church celebration but I see no problem with Christians participating in non-Christian celebrations. After all, we are more than just Christians. I am also a husband, American etc…

In High School I was in ROTC and we carried the flag for the Independence Day parade. We also presented the colors at the state and city general assemblies. I am also an American and as long as I don’t put that citizenship ahead of my Kingdom ownership then I see no problem.

It is certainly your prerogative to avoid telling your kids about the Easter bunny or Santa but this has nothing to do with the Church. I respect that you have such solid values as to consider this lying but respect our choice to call it just plain fun for the kids. I think we all raise our kids the best we can.

By the way, we call Halloween All Saints day and Easter (not the bunny) is in the bible…

Ac 12:4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.

 

[just-want-peace]

I had no problem with my kids believing in EB or SC, BUT this was before the days of New Age, Harry Potter, Charmed etc, etc.

Somehow there was not the pressure NOR the inclination to put any realism to the occult as there is today, so they had no problem making the transition to reality.

However, If I were raising kids today, they would be taught about SC & EB, BUT that teaching would include the fact that these are cartoon characters that are used strictly in a pretend mode.

My daughter & her Husband have aken this approach, and their kids, now 11 & 13, have had no issues with not believing in SC or EB.

 

[LeBuick]

My daughter & her Husband have aken this approach, and their kids, now 11 & 13, have had no issues with not believing in SC or EB.

Good points and because I don’t recall an adult strongly believing in later years and I have yet to see a 10 step programs or support group for those dealing with the effects, I have to say your last point was dead on.

One good outcome of Santa and the Esther Bunny is it causes most all men to stop in those times of year and reflect on something beyond themselves.

 

[Scarlett O.]

Sopranette,

I believe that you have the right to raise your children up in this fashion. And people should leave you alone about it. It is harassment if they are trying to sneak things to your children and they should definitely respect your wishes. You are not harming your children in any way.....they are your children and you teach them what you feel led to do.

For my own part, it pains me to see parents intentionally leave out the wonderful fun of being a child because they see it as being in conflict with their religious beliefs.

I got Easter baskets until I was about 13 or 14 years old. Of course, I didn't believe in the Easter Bunny that long.....HA!! :laugh:

It was part of getting up on Sunday morning. A small part. The biggest part was getting ready for church and celebrating the risen Christ. My parents definitely stressed the true meaning of Resurrection Sunday and also included a little bit of fun. We had Easter egg hunts sometimes on the Saturday before or at school on the Thursday or Friday before. My brother and I knew that the Easter Bunny had nothing to do with Jesus, but we still enjoyed the baskets.

The same applied with Santa Claus.

It's all a matter of how you present the fun. Present it as secondary and as having nothing to do with the truth of the Jesus Christ. Present it from the beginning as a fable and then you never have to lie about it. Tell your children that it isn't real, but it's fun to pretend. Make sure that they understand the Jesus and His birth and resurrection are very real and outweigh any holiday or celebration or family tradition.

But as I said, each parent must make that decision for himself or herself. And then everyone else should get off their back and leave them alone.

 

[ReformedBaptist]

By the way, we call Halloween All Saints day and Easter (not the bunny) is in the bible…

Ac 12:4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.

I think it should be known to all that the word translated in the KJV is pascha which has reference to the Passover of the Jews. So, its not a reference to All Saints Day or Easter, but the Passover.

 

[LeBuick]

I think it should be known to all that the word translated in the KJV is pascha which has reference to the Passover of the Jews. So, its not a reference to All Saints Day or Easter, but the Passover.

I believe if you look closely I said we call Halloween All Saints day. That is one statement and it stands on its own.

Secondly, what other foundation would you have for Easter? Jesus, our Passover lamb. The lamb viewed by John as having the appearance of being slain from the foundation of the world and whose blood causes death to pass us by. You know it was not really about the blood, it was the faith to place the blood on the door post...

Not sure where you're going with that one???

 

[HankD]

Many folks are sensitive to even the word “Easter” in reference to the day of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ believing the etymology of it to be inherited from the spring celebration of the goddess “Ishtar”.

However, every day of the week of the English speaking world honors a Pagan or druidic god or object of worship which we all use without a second thought.

Sunday - Day of the Sun.
Monday - Day of the moon.
Tuesday - Zeus Day
Wednesday - Woden’s Day.
Thursday - Thor’s Day.
Friday - Frida’s Day.
Saturday - Saturn’s Day.

Forbidden under the Law:

Exodus 23:13 And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth.

HankD

 

[ReformedBaptist]

I believe if you look closely I said we call Halloween All Saints day. That is one statement and it stands on its own.

Secondly, what other foundation would you have for Easter? Jesus, our Passover lamb. The lamb viewed by John as having the appearance of being slain from the foundation of the world and whose blood causes death to pass us by. You know it was not really about the blood, it was the faith to place the blood on the door post...

Not sure where you're going with that one???

Only that the Scripture has reference to passover, not our understanding of Easter or of a papal holy day instituded by the papacy. It was meant to be a subpoint under the OP.

To understand the typology of passover is a completely different point, but a good one.

 

[ReformedBaptist]

Many folks are sensitive to even the word “Easter” in reference to the day of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ believing the etymology of it to be inherited from the spring celebration of the goddess “Ishtar”.

However, every day of the week of the English speaking world honors a Pagan or druidic god or object of worship which we all use without a second thought.

Sunday - Day of the Sun.
Monday - Day of the moon.
Tuesday - Zeus Day
Wednesday - Woden’s Day.
Thursday - Thor’s Day.
Friday - Frida’s Day.
Saturday - Saturn’s Day.

Forbidden under the Law:

Exodus 23:13 And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth.

HankD

The term Easter doesn't bother me, it is just an insifficient translation found in the KJV. It is more accurately translated Passover. I think you are right about the etymology of the word though. However, I am sure you agree that the symbol has lost its meaning. In other words, that word has so lost its tie to the pagan celebration (including the names of the weekdays) to render it acceptable use by Christians without being a burden to conscience. Or so I think..

 

[2 Timothy2:1-4]

There is a whole lot more to being a kid than the EB or SC. And the lack of them does not determine a setting that is unchild like.

 

[tinytim]

An underlying theme in this thread is more important than SC or the EB..

It is the rights of parents to raise their child the way they see fit.
NO one has the right to tell a parent how to raise their child...

But we see this fundamental right slipping away in society...

My sons believed in SC and the EB... we, as parents chose to participate in Christmas and Easter this way...
They also knew the real truth of the holidays...
But it was harmless fun.

 

[LeBuick]

But we see this fundamental right slipping away in society....

Interesting thought which you're right, this is the essence of this thread. What ways to do you feel our rights as parents are falling away to the majority opinion of society?

I think of discipline... Mama used the belt on us...

 

[EdSutton]

By the way, we call Halloween All Saints day ...

FTR, All-Saints Day (which is not in the Bible, but on a liturgical calender) is Nov.1. It also happens to be the day that Dr. Martin Luther nailed the 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenburg Church. Hallowe'en is Oct. 31.

Ed

 

[EdSutton]

... and the Esther Bunny ...

Esther Bunny???

Ed

 

[ReformedBaptist]

Only that the Scripture has reference to passover, not our understanding of Easter or of a papal holy day instituded by the papacy. It was meant to be a subpoint under the OP.

To understand the typology of passover is a completely different point, but a good one.

I wanted to clarify this post that I mean the subject of the typology of passover would be good to study.