I must once again give my usual disclaimer from the get-go here: if you do not consider yourself a follower of Christ, you have no reason to agree with anything I’m about to share. So sit back, relax, drink some eggnog (yuck), and enjoy the show.
Christmas is my favorite season. I get into the movies, music, and decorations as much as the next person. However, one thing you will not find me or my family getting into is promoting belief in Santa Claus. I really don’t care for him because I believe he is a major distraction from our celebration of Jesus’ birth. Heck, my own birthday is on Christmas Day, and I don’t like this for the same reason. It needs to be about Jesus. With that said, we were strict with our children in keeping our view of Santa private, as it was/is the prerogative of their friends’ parents to decide if their children believed in Santa or not.
The vast majority of Christians with whom I have discussed the topic of Santa Claus either do not agree with me or think I should keep my opinion to myself. Some get downright upset. After all, Santa Claus is “harmless”; having our children believe in him is “all in good fun,” because he is part of the “magic of Christmas.” I beg to differ, and to alter an old song title, “It’s my blog and I can cry if I want to.”
Consider this. In a Christian home where Santa Claus is celebrated, who does the kid with the young, simple mind look forward to more: the fat guy in a red outfit bearing gifts or the Baby in a manger? Is it more about the gifts under the tree or the ultimate Gift who was crucified on one? Be honest. It’s probably Santa. If your child is an exception to this, congratulations.
The following are four convictions that motivated our family’s view of Santa . . .
Reason #1
He is not real (Exodus 20:4–5). As a Christian ministry, we try to help a lot of children spiritually and physically. We pray that they would realize the god that their family worships is not real, whether his name is Buddha, Krishna, or Mohammed. So it is ironic that Christians who also have this passion for evangelism would at the same time actually encourage their children to revere someone who isn’t real. Santa is a distraction from the true reason for the season, just as the ridiculously fictitious Easter Bunny is a horrible diversion for children from Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Reason #2
It requires parents to lie to their children (Colossians 3:9–10). I realize there are some harsh realities of life from which we tend to shield our children until they are older. We sugarcoat or cover up what it’s really like out there. In the case of Santa, though, parents often go to great lengths to perpetuate a lie. And by the time they are teenagers, if not long before, children realize their parents have been lying to them for years. Tell me how it is a good practice and a life lesson to say it’s okay to lie about certain things.
Reason #3
The emphasis is on works-based behavior (Ephesians 2:8–9). Is your child on the naughty or nice list? This is obviously the exact opposite of the message of the Gospel. Let’s face it: we’re all sometimes tempted to think that God will love us more if we do what’s right more often than not. But salvation is an undeserved gift, so we won’t deserve it any more or less by what we did yesterday, today, or tomorrow. Thank goodness!
Reason #4
The focus is on receiving gifts, not giving meaningful ones (Acts 20:35). I would daresay that most of us don’t remember the majority of the gifts we received last Christmas. We might, however, remember the gifts we gave into which we put special attention and care. Why would you want a fictitious fat dude to get the credit for the meaningful gifts you gave? The original St. Nicholas was a Christian trying to help the needy, particularly children. His story was one we shared with our kids. But ultimately, I would rather put the primary focus on the One who is the true Gift-giver (James 1:17).
The only true “magic” at Christmas is the miracle of the Savior’s birth. I encourage you to not put your energy into convincing your children to believe in the fantasy of Santa for another year, but instead on the reality of Jesus as their only hope this year and for eternity. Santa doesn’t get them into heaven. He won’t even be there.
Wow, Joseph! Great exposition on Christmas and Santa. (I’ve just read it today.) I hear a strange echo in it from years past! Keep up the good writing! Love, PLJW
Thank you for writing this. I agree wholeheartedly. I have 3 children and did start out with “Santa” but have come to understand exactly what you wrote about here and with our last child we were honest with him, not giving into the pressure of the culture. I wish more Christians would have this viewpoint.
I just read this today but am thankful for what you wrote. We decided when our daughter was young and we were brand new Christians to tell her the whole truth of Santa. It did not diminish her excitement for Christmas morning. Thankfully, she and her husband have been truthful with their four children and, after being with them yesterday as they opened gifts,I can tell you it didn’t rob them
of any childhood joy!!!
The trust issue is so important between parents and
children and how can they trust adults if we lie to them about one issue and tell them to trust us to tell the truth about another. You did well at explaining it. Thanks, too, for your devotionals.
Our prayers go out to your family on your loss of loved one.