My grandson wanted a picture with Santa Claus when they were at a mall. When he was telling me about it, he said, “Lola, Santa Claus is not real.” My daughter quickly added, “I told him that Santa is just a man dressed in a red suit.”
When I was growing up—and even today, for sure—the mention of Santa Claus and his power to give and take away gifts from kids was enough to help with discipline at home. Who would want to have empty Christmas stockings without any gifts under the Christmas tree to open on Christmas Day? After the Labor Day weekend, almost all kids are giving hints already on what they would like to receive for Christmas and willing themselves to behave.
Be warned of Santa Claus’ influence and authority on kids! Of course, there is no denying that the famous Christmas song about him says why: “He’s making a list and checking it twice. He’s gonna find out who’s naughty and nice.” And watching movies about him reading his long list of names with the Naughty and Nice columns, while his toy shop is busy cranking out all the good stuff reinforces this. And on his delivery day, you better believe that the “Nice” kids will always outdo the “Naughty” ones in the gift department.
It’s not that the naughty kids have not been forewarned. The song also boasts of Santa’s amazing powers because it continues with these words: “He sees you when you’re sleeping. He knows when you’re awake. He knows if you’ve been bad or good.” There is no escape for Santa Claus is all-seeing and all-knowing. Or is he?
It is said that a wealthy monk by the name of St. Nicholas, who was born in A.D. 280 in Turkey, traveled all over the countryside to help the poor and sick. This legend eventually made its way to Western culture at the end of the 18th century, with variations in St. Nicholas’ name depending on the country. There was no mention of this character ever owning a toy shop or store with elves working his factory, or flying reindeer to pull his sleigh, or squeezing into chimneys while the kids were asleep to deliver their gifts and enjoy a snack of cookies and milk. St. Nicholas was just a man who was long gone from this earth! Let’s pump the brakes on this supernatural claim about Santa Claus.
However, there is the omniscient One the Bible talks about. Psalm 139 says, “O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether” (vv.1-4). It’s very clear that God knows everything about us, even before any of our thoughts, actions, and words come into play. Why then do we tell our kids about Santa Claus knowing our every good and bad deed?
And if it’s not enough proof for us to talk about God’s all-knowing characteristic, David continued with his psalm: “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, ‘Surely darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,’ even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you” (vv.7-12). Is there anywhere we can run and hide and cover up our dirty deeds? There is nowhere to go! God sees each one of us, not Santa Claus.
Yes, it’s easier to control our kids with physical things and anything that sounds hocus-pocus. So, we convince them with deception, creating this very persuasive story about Santa Claus, the jolly man in the red suit who will come bearing gifts they have wished for…if they behave. It’s the songwriter who promised Santa’s return, that he will be back in town.
When Jesus was talking to his disciples about his eventual departure—His death and resurrection—he said, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also” (John 14:1-3). Jesus has temporarily left this earth but gave His Word that He will return for His own!
And He tells us to prepare for His return: “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:34-36). He added, “For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done” (Matthew 16:27).
It’s time for us to get serious because there really is a “Naughty” and “Nice” list, which the Bible calls The Book of Life. It contains the judgment of each of us, according to what we have done (Revelation 20:12). It is said that if “anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire” (v.15). If you’ve ever received a lump of coal for Christmas, know that it pales in comparison to the lake of fire.
Parents expect their children’s obedience; hence, the threat of “No-gift from Santa on Christmas." Meanwhile, God expects obedience to His commandments too, but we don’t need Christmas to come around to receive a blessing. We can receive it daily and live an abundant life in Him when we follow His instruction.
More than a provision for our physical sustenance is the spiritual blessing in Christ. “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight, making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth… In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believe in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:7-10, 13-14).
Jesus’ gift is not something we receive today and discard tomorrow so we can receive a replacement. His gift is “imperishable, undefiled and unfading” (1 Peter 1:4). “There is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day…[of] his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8). There is also “the unfading crown of glory” (1 Peter 5:4).
The Gospel of Mark says, “And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory” marking His return, as He promised (13:26). Don’t wait for Santa Claus’ return. Jesus Christ is the One coming to town “at an hour [we do not expect]” (Matthew 24:44).
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/kevron2001
Luisa Collopy is an author, speaker and a women’s Bible study teacher. She also produces Mula sa Puso (From the Heart) in Tagalog (her heart language), released on FEBC Philippines stations. Luisa loves spending time with her family over meals and karaoke!