The older I get, the less I like to fight.
That doesn't mean I don't have strong opinions. Quite the contrary. If anything, I probably have only developed stronger opinions.
With that said, I realize, every day, just how much some things are just not worth fighting over.
I'm super glad that the elections are over, because I HATED the commercials and countless ridiculous ads on the internet. I used to really get involved in politics, but I've come to realize that political debates amongst friends very rarely result in one person changing the other person's mind. They just get pissed off.
Matters of faith can be the same way.
Don't get me wrong, if someone is going to try and flaunt something in my face that is theologically opposed to doctrine/gospel, I'm going to have a hard time keeping my mouth shut. But I just believe some things are grey areas.
I came across one such a topic, yesterday, during a period of menial meandering on Facebook.
One of my friends posted a status about Santa Claus, posing the question:
"What's your take on kids & Santa Claus? // I'm chewing on a post idea & want to know your thoughts."
I knew there'd be some differing viewpoints, but I had no idea how angry some of the responses would make me -- comments that essentially called it sin for parents to allow their small children to believe in or celebrate the legend of Santa Claus.
Come again?
Listen. I'm a Christian. I believe that Christmas is a celebration of Jesus Christ's birthday, and that He is the "reason for the season." I'll teach my kids that. It's the focal point.
But, I also realize that not everyone believes that. I'd love to show them otherwise, but I am aware that there are other traditions that have sprouted up along the way.
(Spoiler alert: Jesus wasn't born on December 25th. So, how far do you want to take this? You need to decide.)
Santa Claus isn't real. Neither is the Easter Bunny or the Tooth Fairy. But am I sinning or setting up my kids to be idol worshipers if I let them make believe for a few years?
Truthfully, it's probably not something we'll get carried away with. Once I realize my kids are starting to figure things out, I'll set the record straight.
But, my point is that we, as Christians, can go to far over matters that ultimately don't matter all that much.
In the middle of the Facebook debates I witnessed, the idea of trust was brought up.
"How can I expect my kids to trust me if they eventually find out I lied to them about Santa?"
Stop it. Stop being ridiculous.
Truth isn't relative, but there are some things that are age appropriate. If this weren't the case, we'd tell kids where babies come from as soon as they learned to talk. Stupid, right?
It's okay to make believe. It's okay to pretend.
We're not here very long. We're a vapor in the wind. HAVE FUN!
I'm going to make
much of Jesus. I'm going to teach my kids about the message of the gospel. We're also going to have fun at Christmas, go trick or treating and have Easter Egg hunts.
If you don't like that, please keep it all the way to yourself. This is a "party pooper" free zone.
Thanks.
