Disclaimer: Remember, the opinions expressed in this blog are the thoughts of the writer - me - and in no way reflect anyone else's. Unless you post a comment, then those are yours.
Fox News reported this morning that the YMCA had decided Santa Claus would no longer be making the rounds at their clubs. Frosty the Snowman would.
Personally, I have nothing against Frosty. He's actually a pretty "cool" dude. But I couldn't believe that an organization with the word Christian in its title was going to pass up such a wonderful opportunity to teach children a valuable lesson.
What does God look like? Does anyone know? The Holy Spirit is represented in the Bible as both a flame and a dove, among other images. We are made in His likeness. Any representation of God would be symbolic one, wouldn't it, since we have no pictures of God, or Jesus? We only have artists' interpretations. So can't we decide what God looks like, at least to us?
I will not dispute that Christmas is way too commercialized. Won't argue that point for even an instant. But we have here a truly unique situation to try and change some of that. At least plant a seed a two.
First, Santa Claus evolved from Saint Nicholas, a real person. He was a real Greek bishop in the Catholic Church that lived centuries ago who had a penchant for secret gift-giving. He liked to leave small gifts at doorsteps or coins in the shoes the children left outside. He was a protector of children and recognized by the Church by achieving Sainthood for all the works of his life.
So, the concept of Santa Claus does have foundational roots in religion, right? Isn't Santa a person who loves children and secretly leaves them gifts once a year?
Stay with me here.
Second, many traditions in religion are symbols or remembrances of true events. I doubt anyone really believes that Jesus was actually born on December 25. But Christmas is a celebration of the event, not the date, surrounding the birth of Christ.
And who, or what, is Jesus? Jesus is a gift from God. The greatest gift. God, a "person" that no one has ever seen, giving a gift to the World.
Yes, Jesus is more than that, depending on your belief system - a Savior, the Messiah, a Healer, Teacher, the Light of the World and all the rest. But Jesus was also called a Gift.
So, why couldn't the YMCA have taken the initiative to start the children thinking of Santa Claus as just another representation of the image of God? A chance to get them to see that, like God, Santa Claus brings gifts to our lives and, by example, encourages us to give gifts to others.
Wouldn't that have been better than banning Santa Claus?
I hate the phrase "teachable moment" but that was one if I ever saw it.
Too bad they missed it.
A good word!!
ReplyDeleteAnd I like the winter blog look too. :)
yes they missed it. My son told me the other day they no longer say the Pledge of Allegiance in the schools. He said it's because the word God is in it. He said the teachers told him we have to be more understanding of the 'amalgamation of cultures we have represented in America now'. NOW?!?!
ReplyDeleteHaven't we always been an amalgamation of cultures?
Im hope that, anyone, whose children are growing up in todays world will teach them their religious beliefs/values at home & through their church programming.. Although, christian is included in their title, I think these days, their are so many other religions represented in the Y's multi-cultural membership... It is financially responsible, not to offend anyones belief or promote one belief over another....
ReplyDelete