According to Wikipedia Santa is a mix of Saint Nicholas and father Christmas, the latter whom was invented by english puritans to take away Christmas from Rome.

I personally do not like the songs singing about santa coming to town, or that he's making a list and going to judge people. He seems like a replacement of Christ on His own birthday.

And Saint Nicolas had his feast day yesterday so there's that...

I personally do not like the songs singing about santa coming to town, or that he's making a list and going to judge people.

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No kidding. Same here.

When my eldest was around four years, we went to Mass on Christmas Day, and one older lady, as she walked down the aisle after Mass, asked him "and what did Santa bring you for Christmas?" He just looked at her blankly as if to say, "What are you talking about?"

😂 I love kids. They are so honest! My children have done many things similar just this year alone.

We were at a local craft fair the other day where “Santa” was walking around talking to kids.  I felt highly irked by it, but we went on about our business. Eventually he walks up to our kids and asks them what they want for Christmas and my youngest got behind me and asked him, “who are you?” She knew who “Santa” was but wanted to know who that guy was dressed up like a character and talking to her.
Not two minutes later after that awkward encounter, a lady came up to my eldest who is 7, and asked her if she has talked to Santa yet. She said, “You are a very sweet lady, but Santa isn’t real. I hope you have a wonderful day!” She was being as sincere as can be.

Seriously though, this time of year is brutal for Catholics. Every where we go, Santa is there in one way or another. People talking to our kids about Santa happens pretty much every time we go out. It’s a topic among my children’s friends, and there’s always the risk of getting a phone call from an angry parent or cousin that is fiery mad that my kid told theirs that there is no Santa. We don’t go around trying to ruin people’s fun, but you can’t depend on or even expect 4 or 5 years old to be sensitive towards other peoples weirdness. Catholic children grow up with parents being truthful and are under the expectation to be truthful themselves… except about Santa, Easter Bunny, etc etc? It is a precarious subject. 🤨

I am curious, how do you all talk to your kids about what to say to other kids who talk with them about Santa? Do you coach them to not reveal the truth? We usually just tell our kids to avoid conversations about Santa, and that some kids do believe in Santa, and it might hurt their feelings if you tell them otherwise.

😂 I love kids. They are so honest! My children have done many things similar just this year alone.

We were at a local craft fair the other day where “Santa” was walking around talking to kids.  I felt highly irked by it, but we went on about our business. Eventually he walks up to our kids and asks them what they want for Christmas and my youngest got behind me and asked him, “who are you?” She knew who “Santa” was but wanted to know who that guy was dressed up like a character and talking to her.
Not two minutes later after that awkward encounter, a lady came up to my eldest who is 7, and asked her if she has talked to Santa yet. She said, “You are a very sweet lady, but Santa isn’t real. I hope you have a wonderful day!” She was being as sincere as can be.

Seriously though, this time of year is brutal for Catholics. Every where we go, Santa is there in one way or another. People talking to our kids about Santa happens pretty much every time we go out. It’s a topic among my children’s friends, and there’s always the risk of getting a phone call from an angry parent or cousin that is fiery mad that my kid told theirs that there is no Santa. We don’t go around trying to ruin people’s fun, but you can’t depend on or even expect 4 or 5 years old to be sensitive towards other peoples weirdness. Catholic children grow up with parents being truthful and are under the expectation to be truthful themselves… except about Santa, Easter Bunny, etc etc? It is a precarious subject. 🤨

I am curious, how do you all talk to your kids about what to say to other kids who talk with them about Santa? Do you coach them to not reveal the truth? We usually just tell our kids to avoid conversations about Santa, and that some kids do believe in Santa, and it might hurt their feelings if you tell them otherwise.

This is what I mean about replacing Christ on His own birthday. Instead of preparing for a good Christmas with penance they are instead focused on 'Santa' (or Satan as some put it). Plus lying is a sin so I don't think I could ever tell my children (if I have any) this secular nonsense. If other parents get mad because your children revealed the truth, they can just cope. Christmas is about Christ not Santa or presents (sure charity is fine). It also sets a bad precedent for parents to lie to their children. It reminds me of the conspiracy meme "imagine how many people would have to be in on it", yet they are with santa and easter bunny...

My 1949 Missal mentioned Santa in the comments about St Nicholas yesterday.