Spiritual Forum. Org

As a Christian, I find it odd when I see other Christians celebrating Christmas by giving out presents and telling their children that Santa will soon visit them.  As we all know, December 25th is the day in which we choose to celebrate the birth of Jesus and nowhere in the bible does Jesus' birth include a fat man in a red suit and his reindeers.

Are there any other Christians that do celebrate Christmas in the form of Santa, Xmas trees etc. And if so, what are your reasons for doing so?

I grew up in a family where my mother was a Catholic and father an Agnostic, so basically I had a secular Christmas with Santa Claus and "christmas" trees. When I turned 18 and became a born-again Christian I couldn't understand why some Christians would celebrate Christmas without Christ. Before my husband and I were married he knew how I wanted to celebrate Christmas and agreed that we would celebrate it as a religious holiday (Holy Day). We have a Nativity scene in place of a "christmas" tree and do not talk about Santa Claus coming to bring presents. We have seven children and one on the way and when our oldest two were toddlers I explained to my parents how we celebrate Christmas. Needless to say, they weren't happy with it but respect our wishes. I don't know why gift-giving is part of Christmas but we do allow my children to give it they want to and we exchange gifts with my parents and in-laws.
Sincerely in Christ,
Leesa C.
Eph.2:8,9

I put up a tree and docorate, but when it comes to Santa, I explain that this is only a fairy tale like Peter Pan. I tell them the real reason we celebrate Christmas and my kids only get three gifts so they have to choose wisely when I ask them what they want.

Please remember why Christmas is celebrated on this day. We already know Jesus was not born on this date, but we do recognize it as a day of His birth and that is what should be celebrate.

Thanks catwoman, it just seems to me that some Christians concentrate on Dec. 25th originally being a pagan holiday, and not the real reason this date was chosen. Celebrating the birth of Jesus should be done everyday, but this is a date where everyone can celebrate this glorious event. Who cares if it also falls on a pagan holiday. I believe that it has taken over that pagan holiday and that was the original intention anyway. Does anyone know what pagan holiday was celebrated at the same time? I am not sure many Christians or non-Christians even know.

I live in Spain, which is a Catholic country, and I feel they have the balance between religion and secular celebration just right. There are no visible preparations such as decorations in houses and city centres until after Imaculada, 8th December. This is St Anne's Day and celebrates the conception of the Virgin Mary. After 8th, the Belens are erected and shops decorate their windows with a Christmas theme.

Belens are representations of the whole village of Bethlehem at the time of the birth of Christ, rather than simple Nativity scenes. Shops incorporate a Nativity scene of some sort into their window dressing, so even as you shop, you are reminded of the significance of the holiday, but it isn't pushed down your throat.

In Spain, 3 Kings Day - 6th January - is the focal point of Christmas. Each town has a 3 Kings procession on 5th, and the Kings parade through the streets to the church, throwing sweets into the crowd. Spanish children go home and put their shoes outside, and the Kings bring gifts as they sleep. As in countries where Santa Claus is the bringer of gifts, the children are told that the Kings don't visit naughty children!

In areas where there is a large expatriate presence, Spanish children also receive small gifts on Christmas Day, and expat kids get a visit from the Kings. It's a great way for all children to learn of the real significance of the holiday, and the Christian religian has joy at it's heart, so why shouldn't the birth of Christ be celebrated in secular as well as religious fashion? It doesn't make me less of a Christian because I cook a special meal on Christmas Day.

We do have nine morning masses before Christmas that makes everyone remember and know the real meaning of Christmas and that is the birth of Jesus Christ and some other important things about it.
We had adopted Santa and Christmas tree as representation of the holiday season and as Santa the representation of giving/sharing.

The secular "Santa" is a made up man, but Saint Nicholas is not. In my faith, we incorporate Dec. 6, St. Nicholas' feast day, into the gift giving season. Dec. 25 is primarily for church and family, but many families exchange gifts on that day, too. Epiphany (Three King's Day) is a big part of the religious celebration. Many families--mine included--have a Christmas tree and enjoy holiday specials, but they are not emphasized the way the birth of Christ is emphasized.