Santa Claus and Easter Bunny

Excellent points.

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


HankD

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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???

 

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

 

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.

 

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..

 

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.

 

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.

 

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...

 

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

 

Esther Bunny???

Ed

 

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