Celebrating Sinterklaas is still a big tradition here in Belgium and in the Netherlands. Some parents spend as much money on chocolate, candy and gifts as they do for Christmas. I never liked the tradition as a child and never celebrated it with my children. I can't tell them Sinterklaas exists and then later tell them he's not real, how are they supposed to believe God is real then? I also struggle with Zwarte Piet as a helper. He may be black because he crawles through chimney's but I also wonder about slavery and black image bearers.
We felt the same way about our "American" Santa Claus. We told our daughter from the beginning that he was a mythical character that was inspired by the life of a real person, someone who did good things for the people around him, someone who loved God. We also sang all of the songs about Santa with her and watched the same movies with her as we did when we were children. All the while, though, we kept reminding her that the Santa Claus in the movies and songs was make-believe. Though, we had to tell her not to say that to her classmates at school. Some parents get angry when you mess with their Santa Claus!
Celebrating Sinterklaas is still a big tradition here in Belgium and in the Netherlands. Some parents spend as much money on chocolate, candy and gifts as they do for Christmas. I never liked the tradition as a child and never celebrated it with my children. I can't tell them Sinterklaas exists and then later tell them he's not real, how are they supposed to believe God is real then? I also struggle with Zwarte Piet as a helper. He may be black because he crawles through chimney's but I also wonder about slavery and black image bearers.
We felt the same way about our "American" Santa Claus. We told our daughter from the beginning that he was a mythical character that was inspired by the life of a real person, someone who did good things for the people around him, someone who loved God. We also sang all of the songs about Santa with her and watched the same movies with her as we did when we were children. All the while, though, we kept reminding her that the Santa Claus in the movies and songs was make-believe. Though, we had to tell her not to say that to her classmates at school. Some parents get angry when you mess with their Santa Claus!
Never mess with Sinterklaas, Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny... :-)