I Believe in the Spirit of Santa Claus

I was having a discussion with some of the young people of my church regarding the traditions and ideas that have formed around the celebration of the Birth of the Lord Jesus, or Christmas. We talked about the three wise men bowing before the baby Jesus in a stable, as found in our nativity sets. We really don’t know how many wise men there were, and when they found Jesus. We do know He was a young child living in a house when they found Him (Matthew 2:11)!

We also wondered how a star could direct someone to a specific dwelling. At times the Moon is big and bright, but it cannot point to one building.

We talked about the three gifts given by the wise men; gold, frankincense and myrrh. Gold for His kingship; frankincense for His priesthood; Myrrh for His death. These gifts were the Lord’s provision for Joseph and Mary as they fled to Egypt to escape hateful Herod.

The discussion moved to Santa Claus and how he distracts from the real Christmas story. One of the young people reminded me that the Santa Claus concept is more than a distraction. This is how “Santa” usurps the entire Christmas story.

Santa Claus is an elf, or a spirit, who lives in a far-off place. The Creator of all things, God, resides in Heaven.
Santa Clause knows what you are doing, good or bad, meaning Santa is all-seeing, just like the Mighty God.
Santa Claus can visit the entire world in one night, and therefore he is omni-present, just like our Heavenly Father.
Santa Claus judges whether you have been good or bad, just like the Judge of the Universe, God.
Santa Claus gives us gifts, just like our gracious Heavenly Father, who gave us the gift of eternal life through His son, Jesus.

The idea of Santa Claus, as much fun as it may be, and regardless of the delight it brought us as children, is a counterfeit. It is the world’s effort to distract us from the truth by usurping the characteristics of the one, true, living God, and the wonderful gift He gave us. I don’t know whose idea it was, but I do know who the great counterfeiter is. It is Satan, the liar. He has given us many counterfeits. Some have invaded the Lord’s church.

I might believe in the “spirit” of Santa Claus, the Spirit being that of our loving, gracious, Heavenly Father. But I don’t believe in Santa Claus.

Praise the Lord for Jesus leaving Glory and coming to this world. Praise the Lord for the gift of Jesus and the Salvation He provides us if we choose to believe. Praise the Lord, forever!

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