People making too much out of Santa Claus
Let it be known that I am not of the number of those overly zealous critics who denounce and deplore any Christmas observance as totally pagan or carnal or detrimental to real Christianity.
Christmas, for many, is a wonderful, happy, and wholesome spiritual celebration. It is an especially effective and appropriate time to build and strengthen family ties and cohesion. Somehow it is often the best of times for calling forth the nobler instincts of humanity–kindness, mercy, gratitude, gentleness and even forgiveness.
Many Christians are spiritually refreshed during this season and experience a deeper appreciation for and a closer relationship with Christ. I feel sadness for those who know not of what I speak or have no fond memories of some Christmas past with a united family. But sadly, for many, even for those who self-identify as Christians, the modern reality is that the exact opposite often happens at the Christmas season.
This traditional occasion to remember and honor Christ’s birth-and rejoice in God’s greatest gift to humanity—and the opportunity to display a gracious, generous, humble, and forgiving attitude is rapidly changing. The change is much more than the crass commercialization and naked materialism we often now see. We have apparently lost our way. What has happened: Instead of peace there is so often turmoil and disappointment and even despair. Contentment is mostly measured by the price of a toy or gadget or if it is a “hot gift item.”
Christmas office-parties are becoming more and more an occasion for debauchery, booze, and drugs. It is tragic that for several decades now, that at this time of the year, more suicides will be committed than at any other time.
But there is an even more egregious concern. Ask any small child, “what happens” or “who comes” at Christmas? Some Christian parents who keep their kids out of church for weeks because of the danger of catching some “flu-bug,” will stand with them in a 40-foot line at a mall with scores of squalling, bawling, sneezing, hacking kids, so they can “talk to Santa.” And who is this “Santa?” The answer is quite simple. Santa is the world’s substitute for Jesus to children. He is given the very same divine attributes that are held by Christ our savior.
For example, “Santa,” (as is Jesus), is said to be “all knowing.” Though it is probably not sung nowadays, when I was growing up, every kid used to know, the little Christmas ditty: “You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, I’m telling you why, Santa Clause is coming to town. He sees you when you’re sleeping , He knows when you’re awake He knows if you’ve been bad or good so be good for goodness sake.”
That my friend is what theologians refer to as “omniscience.” Jesus, we are told feed on one occasion 5,000 people from a small boy’s lunch. But what is that compared to Santa’s magic sleigh that holds all the gifts for an entire world? The other attributes of deity, namely, omnipotence, omnipresence, eternality and immutability are all exhibited by “Santa.”
Listen to how one encyclopedia describes him: “A mixture of human and supernatural attributes so delightful to children and adults.” Have you ever heard of the “incarnation?” Wikipedia calls him “ageless, timeless, and immortal.” But who can deny that Santa always favors the rich children over the poor? However, Jesus loves them all equally. Santa is said to not like “bad little boys and girls.” Hallelujah, Jesus does! If He didn’t, where would any of us be?
But my main concern is what small children might think as they grow up and they discover they have been tricked. I wonder what will come to mind and what they will think when a parent or a Sunday-school teacher tries to tell them about this wonderful person called Jesus? I wonder as the lord is held forth, if it might come to their minds, “Yea, I heard that one before…only then you called him Santa.”
In my opinion, I believe it is absolutely essential that parents be honest and never lie to their children. God has instilled into children the desire to trust their parents and no parent should ever cause a child to lose that confidence. Why not tell them the real purpose of Christmas and that Santa is “pretend” and that sometimes “it is OK to pretend.” However, in my opinion, they should be told that all the gifts were given to them to show how much you love them. I promise you they can handle it. Christmas will then continue to be the “real deal” throughout their life. Merry Christmas!
William “Ed” Nicholson is current pastor of the Grace Baptist Chapel located in the village of Little Summit in Dunbar Township.