tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post8034237622232197007..comments2024-03-28T02:15:06.910-07:00Comments on Tossing It Out: Ho, Ho, Who?Arlee Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-71502108757871157492011-01-03T07:33:15.010-08:002011-01-03T07:33:15.010-08:00Larry --- Much of what I said here was for the sak...Larry --- Much of what I said here was for the sake of debate done almost with an extremist tongue in cheek. I just like to see how far I can take things sometimes.Arlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-19612699722414190532010-12-30T10:17:37.555-08:002010-12-30T10:17:37.555-08:00Lee-
While I can't argue on the sheer commerc...Lee-<br /><br />While I can't argue on the sheer commercialism of the non-Christian songs, the sound of Clarence Clemons sing "you better be good for goodness sake" is simply too good to pass up!<br /><br />Did I misread you-were you making a connection between Santa Claus and the Devil ("Old Nick is another name for Satan")?<br /><br />LCDiscConnectedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07013919800637508392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-17229101039360342892010-12-22T18:46:19.232-08:002010-12-22T18:46:19.232-08:00Diana -- That's the way I grew up and I shared...Diana -- That's the way I grew up and I shared the same with my kids.<br /><br />Stephen Tremp -- Same here. It's all in fun to play along.<br /><br />Larry -- I'm with you on what you say. Well, all except the Springsteen version of "Comin' to Town" --never cared for it and still don't. I prefer the songs and carols that celebrate Jesus. The other stuff is mostly commercial hoohaw-- that's my opinion at least.Arlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-4398001144526650392010-12-22T18:40:58.046-08:002010-12-22T18:40:58.046-08:00Mason -- I agree. Old St Nick ain't what he u...Mason -- I agree. Old St Nick ain't what he used to be.<br /><br />Ann -- Lovely point.<br /><br />StMc--I think everyone has made a good point and so have you. Childhood is so fleeting and it should be a wondrous time for all of us.<br /><br />Liza -- thank you for this beautiful thought. Merry Christmas to you as well.<br /><br />Alex -- I won't be the one to burst your bubble.<br /><br />Lisa -- My mother used to always explain to me that they were all Santa's helpers. That made sense to me!<br /><br />Paula -- I think you're right!<br /><br />Deb -- Thank you! And the same sentiments headed your way.<br /><br />M Pax -- Thanks for stopping.Arlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-42189934284881555062010-12-22T18:34:22.923-08:002010-12-22T18:34:22.923-08:00Thanks to all for the wonderful comments and a Mer...Thanks to all for the wonderful comments and a Merry Christmas. I will attempt to respond to each comment as long as this hotel computer will allow me.<br /><br />Misha-- Sounds like the way it should be.<br /><br />Yvonne-- It is indeed a paradox.<br /><br />Gregg -- You make a good point. Santa should never be confused with God and if we are going to play the Santa game we should make the distinction between Santa and God very clear.<br /><br />Dezmond-- It is nice for kids to be able to be kids for that short time of their life. Magic can be fun.<br /><br />Jeanice -- Nice to hear from you. You've made a very good point.Arlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-86524027587872457732010-12-22T10:43:40.532-08:002010-12-22T10:43:40.532-08:00I read past Ann's comment on my first pass, bu...I read past Ann's comment on my first pass, but she captures what I'm trying to say in just a few words.<br /><br />"It is the magic of Christmas. The sheer joy on their faces... "<br /><br />Give them those years...they'll never be that innocent again.DiscConnectedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07013919800637508392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-18486617246780491212010-12-22T10:37:41.217-08:002010-12-22T10:37:41.217-08:00I gotta disagree with the humbugs here.
Children ...I gotta disagree with the humbugs here.<br /><br />Children are shoved into the grim reality of this world at all too young an age, and the years where they are believing in Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy, they are truly innocent.<br /><br />I was raised to belive in Christ and was allowed six years or so to belive in Santa (my older brothers broke the news to me).<br /><br />And the comment that Saint Nicholas was the devil? Where does that come from. Saint Nick was revered by many countries, and was a favorite saint of seagoing men. The tradition of Saint Nicholas day, and his reputation as a bringer of gifts, is the root of the Santa Claus persona. No demon there.<br /><br />If you have children who belive in Santa, enjoy it while you can. You can still teach them to belive in Christ.<br /><br />All too soon they're going to be believing in Lady GaGa and Jay-Z. And you're going to wish for the innocent years back.<br /><br />I never had kids and I know this.<br /><br />Now my assignment to everyone who posted a comment is to go play "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" by Bruce Springsteen at MAXIMUM VOLUME, and sing along in your deepest voice when Clarence gets the mike!DiscConnectedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07013919800637508392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-29602320997167192162010-12-22T06:54:19.583-08:002010-12-22T06:54:19.583-08:00We let our kids believe in Santa for a while but t...We let our kids believe in Santa for a while but they figured it out rather quickly on their own. But we still have fun with it anyway and fill out presents with "FROM SANTA." Have a very merry Christmas and Happy New Year !Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-74188275098768009932010-12-22T03:53:30.074-08:002010-12-22T03:53:30.074-08:00I can go either way on this one Arlee. My mother s...I can go either way on this one Arlee. My mother stuffed our stockings with the most amazing things. That was special. And I do remember my childrens young faces when they saw that Santa had been to the house and eaten the cookies and drank the milk that was left for him. I don't think that it would have made a difference had Santa never been thought of. But alas he was, so the myth of Santa continues on. So A happy HO,Ho, Ho to you! Love Di ♥Dianahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11429812875586479256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-21040354860078677092010-12-21T15:26:02.424-08:002010-12-21T15:26:02.424-08:00Very interesting discussion and article.Very interesting discussion and article.M Paxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14096697282530998519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-43574058448075539582010-12-21T13:21:25.932-08:002010-12-21T13:21:25.932-08:00Well... However you roll - Merry Christmas! May t...Well... However you roll - Merry Christmas! May the Lord bless your Christmas Arlee and fill you and your family with that joy that passes all understanding.<br />Blessings,<br />DebAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-50964615245216745832010-12-21T12:17:26.223-08:002010-12-21T12:17:26.223-08:00I think Santa stays! Consumerism is fostered more...I think Santa stays! Consumerism is fostered more by commercials than anything else.Paula Sladehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02923061193682673368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-59506436237533066592010-12-21T12:03:52.223-08:002010-12-21T12:03:52.223-08:00I enjoyed reading the different perceptions of San...I enjoyed reading the different perceptions of Santa in both your blog & via the readers' comments.<br /><br />I think it's nice for a kid to believe in Santa. But I also recall a wise young neighbor wondering about how there were so many different Santa Clauses in malls across SoCa!notesfromnadirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09904500676081267972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-62888021457926564172010-12-21T12:01:50.432-08:002010-12-21T12:01:50.432-08:00Next you're going to tell me the Easter Bunny ...Next you're going to tell me the Easter Bunny doesn't exist, either!Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-77010074141544810802010-12-21T10:41:48.280-08:002010-12-21T10:41:48.280-08:00Having watched my daughter make painstakingly chal...Having watched my daughter make painstakingly challenging gifts for her friends with a smile on her face, I'll have to say that Santa's influence couldn't have been all bad. Merry Christmas Lee.Lizahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16170701034715108039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-23121899112055174742010-12-21T09:36:35.881-08:002010-12-21T09:36:35.881-08:00Oh, so what?! For a few short years kids get to be...Oh, so what?! For a few short years kids get to believe in a little magic and wonder and a castle and a toy workshop at the North Pole. Real life will mess with them soon enough, why can't we just let kids be kids and play in their imaginary world for those precious few years of innocent childhood? <br /><br />I believed in Santa when I was little. Later, I was told the truth and I did not experience any catastrophic mental breakdown over it, and in the end, I think I turned out to be a fairly decent, well-adjusted adult.<br /><br />Some people just take their "seriousness" waaay too flippin' seriously. GROW UP and let the children be children for a little while. The reality of "This World" will come crashing down on them quick enough. <br /><br />I believe in God and Christ as much as does anyone else here, but for crying-out-loud, let the children play. Let them believe in the magic of Saint Nick for a few years, let them dress up like a pirate or a clown and go trick-or-treating one night a year. Is that really so awful?! <br /><br />Sheesh! There are some persons here who are definitely not going to be invited to my next party! It's OK to believe in G-O-D <i><b>and</b></i> F-U-N. <br /><br />I can hardly believe the question, let alone some of the responses. And I'm sure glad my parents - may they rest in peace - allowed me to play in my imaginary world for awhile. Getting the opportunity to be a child was one of the very best parts of my "childhood". <br /><br />~ D-FensDogg<br />'Loyal American Underground'Stephen T. McCarthyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00249125637725791567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-7364826615853972102010-12-21T08:44:28.788-08:002010-12-21T08:44:28.788-08:00My children were always told Santa was not impress...My children were always told Santa was not impressed with greedy children. Being greedy was a sure way of ending up on the naughty list. <br /><br />It is the magic of Christmas. The sheer joy on their faces that was heartwarming for me.Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07524878248746427258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-39759742991421833002010-12-21T07:13:34.756-08:002010-12-21T07:13:34.756-08:00I don't have children to pass the Santa myth o...I don't have children to pass the Santa myth onto, but I guess I do miss the mystery of it all. As children Christmas was a special time, but nowdays kids get so much everyday Christmas isn't special anymore.<br /><br />Mason<br /><a href="http://www.masoncanyon.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Thoughts in Progress</a>Mason Canyonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10935307400882363560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-30698393387611251382010-12-21T06:54:42.519-08:002010-12-21T06:54:42.519-08:00i loved this arlee bird, i'm sorta hashing thi...i loved this arlee bird, i'm sorta hashing this out, albeit late since my kids are 5 and 3. we haven't made such a big deal about it, but as we've done our regular Christmas stuff, we've been bombarded by the push to believe in Santa ad infinitum. honestly, it really is beginning to bother me. How folks can push and push and push for folks to believe in Santa who offers little in the way of peace and less in the way of life. Yet, Jesus, God's gift to humanity comes without a monetary price tag, offering life and that more abundantly.<br /><br />Thanks for your post. Merry Christmas to you.<br />http://jeanicedavis.blogspot.comtooleftfeeethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03449643106343518187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-19569831636479026332010-12-21T05:41:58.198-08:002010-12-21T05:41:58.198-08:00when I was a kid I was never told that Santa exist...when I was a kid I was never told that Santa exists, and my whole childhood was pretty much wrapped up in reality and not magic. I feel sorry for that because I feel my childhood was stolen in a way from me. I believe kids need to grow up with magic, with festive warmth, with spellbinding myths because that way they will have lovely, cozy childhoods and will grow up to be creative and imaginative people.DEZMONDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14127166104359407763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-27896307068867535112010-12-21T05:30:48.824-08:002010-12-21T05:30:48.824-08:00My opinion that I usually keep to myself unless as...My opinion that I usually keep to myself unless asked is that the myth is a bad myth. It takes many attributes of God and transfers them to this mythical being - omniscience, omnipresence, omnipotence, etc. It also teaches children the wrong reason for "being good," where all things come from, and even thoughts about sovereignty. Nows these terms and definitions are far from a child's minds, but the concepts are there.<br /><br />Children should be taught from a very early age that there is only one God, what it means to offend that God, how to maintain a relationship with God, to look to God for all things, and to be thankful to God for all things.<br /><br />We started Santa with the older two but by the time the younger two had come we abandoned the myth and told the kids the truth as soon as they began asking and commenting.Gregg Metcalfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16413691313803396844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-47436039360792574792010-12-21T04:01:40.758-08:002010-12-21T04:01:40.758-08:00I have mixed views on the Santa issue. When my thr...I have mixed views on the Santa issue. When my three were young we used to take them to see santa in his grotto at the local store where they would sit on his knee, tell him what they would like for Christmas and he would give them a small gift. The look of wonder in their eyes was a joy to behold. Now in this world of uncertainty we tell our children not to speak to strangers or take sweets or gifts yet we encourage all that at christmas......It's a strange world.<br /><br />Have a great day Lee.<br />Yvonne.RHYTHM AND RHYMEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11386975261804630799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-15094623772403701012010-12-21T02:27:38.862-08:002010-12-21T02:27:38.862-08:00For my family, Santa is the guy bringing presents,...For my family, Santa is the guy bringing presents, but Christmas isn't a time of greed. <br /><br />We make a point of letting the children in our family know what Christmas is really about. <br /><br />Merry Christmas to you too. <br /><br />:-)Misha Gerrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06364173848456424521noreply@blogger.com