In Santa, Are You For Real?, children will discover that there really was a Saint Nicholas. Through colorful illustrations and a heartwarming story, children - and parents - will learn who the real Saint Nick was, when he lived, and why he gave gifts. Most importantly, you'll see how the original Saint Nick set an example for us today by keeping Christ at the heart of Christmas.
Written by Harold Myra, President of Christianity Today, Inc., this trustworthy story is accompanied with fun, whimsical illustrations.
Item Specifications...
ISBN 0849914922 EAN 9780849914928 UPC 023755014924
Pages 32
Dimensions: Length: 8.36" Width: 8.34" Height: 0.29" Weight: 0.45 lbs.
Release Date Aug 1, 1997
PublisherTOMMY NELSON #394
Okay...we gave this book a try. My wife and I have been looking for a way to communicate Nicholas to our toddler girls, but are besides ourselves in this. There really isn't anything on the market right now which convinces us that the "Christian" approach to this is any different. Every one still wants to hold on to Santa Claus! Haven't we figured it out yet. Christmas is not about Santa Claus. It's about Jesus Christ, the Lord and Savior. And the manger was the precursor to the Cross of Christ, whereupon He died on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins, and now reigns as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Why doesn't any Christmas book communicate this?
I just have to give up at this point, and maybe I'll write my own book!!
Good, but doesn't go far enough for me. Dec 6, 2004
I really liked this book and how it explained the truth about the real St. Nick, but I still came away feeling like it was a half truth. I guess I wanted more of Jesus in the story. I do still read it to my kids every year, though. The other day in the grocery store my 3 year old was acting up and someone said, "Santa is watching you" to help calm him down. My 5 year old looked at her as if she were crazy and said, "Santa is in heaven with Jesus" - so I think she gets it. I'm pretty sure that is a direct quote from the book. Overall, I would recommend it, although I don't read some of the text and add my own on some pages - like the last page.
Is he real? Nov 26, 2004
Is Santa real? Well, yes and no.
Myra does a really nice job of explaining where the Santa legend came from, and how St. Nicholas loved God and people. Myra's story point kids to St. Nicholas' Lord, and shows them they do not need to sacrifice the magic and imagination in order to worship Him.
Nicely illustrated too.
I buy two or three of these every year for 4-6 year olds.
Tells the"truth", with joy intact Oct 19, 2000
This is a must-read for Christian children at Christmas. A child hears kids on the street say Santa isn't real, and goes inside to ask his father. The dad tells him that St. Nicholas was a real person who, because he loved Jesus, gave gifts to the poor. The boy is inspired by the story and decides to share with others, like St. Nick did. The book ends with a cheerful picture of Santa: "As the family sat around and talked half the night, Todd thought he saw, in the snow and moonlight...a bright-eyed Saint Nicholas with his sack looking in, and wide across his face, a jolly old grin." Children will know that the real Santa is now in heaven, but people still rememeber him today because of his generous spirit. The book tells the "truth" about Santa, while also allowing for a child's imagination and sense of joy to remain intact over who Santa was.
I was disappointed . Mar 1, 2000
We bought this book ( Santa ) because we have the Easter Bunny Book (which we love). The Santa book does a great job explaining the story of the real St. Nick. After telling the story and explaining that Christmas is about giving, they show a picture of a Santa Claus winking. I found this to be very confusing The reason I wanted the book was to take the focus away from Santa and on to Jesus. I felt this book really contradicted itself at the end. I will continue to read this book to my children , but will not include the last page and wording.
