Santa
Claus and The REAL meaning of Christmas
by Susen Mesco, Master Santa Claus
Trainer,
Professional Santa Claus
School Conference, Denver, CO
Friday, May 7, 2010 at 8:18pm
Today I had a long discussion with a
rather forceful business associate… It became rather heated.
The topic of discussion was Santa and the TRUE REASON of Christmas…
To say the least, I was blasted,
fairly heavily, with accusations and comments that I was guilty of helping to
spread the decline of Christianity. Commercialism of course came up.
It took over an hour to lay out what
“we” (Santas and those who train and support them) truly have within our
hearts.
We fully understand that in many
settings, (corporate events, mall settings, parades…)
trying to share our
Christian beliefs and values is NOT part of what we are hired to do, nor is
it appropriate in a public, "commercial" setting.
BUT… by sharing love and laughter,
hugs and the gift of family togetherness, special gifts and song, stories of
the season from traditional to more religious, ways for “Santa” to demonstrate
what the season is all about?
Don’t we listen to the whispers of
children, who often bring up topics we address with them, far beyond “wish
lists”?
Don’t we bring families closer
together as parents & grandparents share a magical tradition with the next
generations?
Don’t we exemplify LOVE and
HAPPINESS?
Are we not Christian in all of our
mannerism without expressing the words of scripture?
We know it and we show it, even if
we are usually not able to “say” it outright.
Santa is not added into the symbols
of the season to detract from the Biblical aspect of the season! In fact,
moreso than fruit cake or snowmen or jingling bells, SANTA CLAUS IS ABLE to
express the core reason for the season by his gentle & loving manner, his
gift distribution beyond material greed and his spreading of cheer and
happiness to complete strangers.
This coming season, all of us need
to focus on the REAL REASON for the SEASON and find as many ways as possible to
SHOW every life we touch that WE DO know and honor CHRISTmas!
Susen Mesco
Master Santa Claus Trainer since
1983!
Thank You & All you Christ loving Santa's <3 (emoji heart) http://www.ldsliving.com/What-Prophets-Have-Said-About-Santa-Claus/s/77397
ReplyDeleteDavid O. McKay
DeleteIt is a glorious thing to have old St. Nicholas in our hearts and in our homes today, whether he enters the latter through the open door or creeps down the chimney on Christmas Eve. To bring happiness to others without seeking personal honor or praise by publishing it is a most commendable virtue. . . .
Good old St. Nicholas has long since gone the way of all mortals, but the joy he experienced in doing kindly deeds is now shared by millions who are learning that true happiness comes only by making others happy—the practical application of the Savior’s doctrine of losing one’s life to gain it. In short, the Christmas spirit is the Christ spirit, that makes our hearts glow in brotherly love and friendship and prompts us to kind deeds of service.
Quoted in Stars Were Gleaming, a beautiful new book featuring the artwork of Greg Olsen.
Jeffrey R. Holland
DeleteThe memory of that [first Christmas] night would bring Santa Claus and Frosty and Rudolph—and all would be welcome. But first and forever there was just a little family, without toys or trees or tinsel. With a baby—that’s how Christmas began.
Emphasis added. From "Without Ribbons and Bows," printed in the December 1994 Ensign.
Ezra Taft Benson
As a boy, I loved going to the canyon to cut our Christmas tree, and I always tried to get one that reached to the ceiling. Though we received only a few gifts, our stockings were filled with fruit, nuts, and candy, and Santa always left something. Like all children, we suffered terrible anticipation at Christmastime--until, that is, we happened onto the Santa Claus costume in the bottom of an old trunk. Suddenly the secret was out. So that was why Father was always out doing chores when Santa came on Christmas morning.
From The Joys of Christmas, a booklet of President Benson's testimony on the true meaning of the season.
James E. Faust
DeleteNo one can measure the effect of an unselfish act of kindness. By small, simple things great things do indeed come to pass. Of course, gifts given and gifts received make Christmas special. For many children, Christmas Eve is a very long night as they look forward with eager anticipation to the gifts Santa brings, which is why children love Santa Claus. Let me share what someone once said about Santa Claus:
"First of all, he's a joyous individual. People are attracted to joyous individuals as filings are attracted to a magnet. Next, Santa Claus is interested in making others happy. He increases the happy moments in the life of everyone he meets. He loves his work; he gets fun out of his job. He is childlike, simple, humble, sincere, and forgiving. Finally, he is a giver. His philosophy is to give himself away in service. He is a friend to everyone. He smiles. Perhaps you and I could attain greater happiness if we emulated Santa Claus a little more, for his way is the way of the Infant Jesus also."
From "The Man Who Would Be Santa," First Presidency Christmas Devotional, December 6, 1998
There is two concerns from my side, first of all santa sits on a throne, where God the Father is the only one that should sit on a throne, and I do feel that santa claus takes the focus of of Jesus our Lord and Saviour. Jesus says, Let the children come to me!. My second concern is if you look at word scrambling, santa claus spells satan lucas or satan lucifer. Be carefull, satan disguises himself ad the angel of light.
DeleteTrue happiness can only come from God, I am by no means judging. The truth sets you free, so sorry if I am stepping on toes but I can not apologise for the truth, the root of santa claus is wrotten, nice or not.
ReplyDelete