Why should parents not enter into the folly of telling their children there is a Santa Claus: after all, he is a sweet little old elf; what harm could there possibly be in being a part of this “innocent deception?”
When Satan beguiled Eve in the garden of Eden; “innocent deception” that it was: “Oh, go ahead Eve; take the fruit! What possible harm could it do!” Just what do we know about this fellow? Is he only the design of someone’s imagination; or is there something more, some living entity that masks itself behind this “Image” to which men pay homage?
Know first of all, that the premise of “Santa Claus” is GLOBAL in its concept. However in many other countries his “Image” takes on a different slant. He may be known as “Saint” Nicholas,” or as in England, “Father Christmas.” In other lands there appears to be at least some degree of religious association; the Image becomes “god-like;” there is a reverential respect, he is an honored figurehead.
Santa Claus is a god. He is as much god as any of those Greek gods who encompassed Mount Olympus. Are we not instructed in the commandments: “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me? Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them. Exodus 20, Deut. 5.
Foolishness, you say? How cunning are the devices of Satan; how subtly he deceives! True, Satan “as a roaring lion walketh about, seeking whom he may devour,” but are we not also told that he “himself is transformed into an angel of light;” that his “ministers” are also transformed as the “ministers” of righteousness. Shall he be thought to reveal himself in a red suit with long tail and pitchfork? No, far better may he be found adorned in a red suit with white trim, a Grandfatherly beard, and bearing a large bag with wondrous presents. Are not his “ministers” to be found in every parade, in shopping malls, and in department stores in every town?
“And they brought young children to Him, that He should touch them. . . Jesus. . . said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for such is the kingdom of God. And he took them up in His arms, put His hands upon them and blessed them” Mark 10. Strikingly similar is the scene to be found in department stores or in shopping malls. “They” bring young children to him; he takes them up in his arms, sets them upon his knee for such is the “kingdom” of Santa Claus. In many lands the young ones receive a “blessing” from their own particular Santa, but for America there is the promise of mammon; of presents, toys. The Christian is to “come boldly unto the throne of grace” for there “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Santa’s subjects likewise may come boldly to his “throne” where they may present their petitions; whereupon he is to supply all the “things” they desire according to his abundance of riches at the North Pole.
Concerning the Person of Santa Claus:
His kingdom is ruled from the North Pole. In Isaiah 14 we find this concerning Lucifer:
“For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the North.”
He is ageless. In Hebrews 7 we are reminded of an O.T. figure, Melchisedec. “Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God.” In this does the Image of Santa agree; in this does he qualify as a “god.”
He is to be “believed in.” “But without faith it is impossible to please Him; for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Heb. 11:6. A child who would receive his “reward” from Santa must surely “believe” in him, else chance the forfeiting of presents!
The Word of God as found in Hebrews 4 is duel in its presentation: as a sword, as the
Person of Christ Himself: “And is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.” “You better watch out; you better not cry; you better not pout: Santa Claus is coming to town. He knows: when you’re sleeping, awake, bad or good, etc. The Omniscience of God is likewise laid claim to by Santa Claus, an attribute of a “god.”
Santa is Omnipresent. How else could he deliver presents to every house in the short span of Christmas Eve? Isaiah upon speaking about the presence of God said, “It is He that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadcth them out as a tent to dwell in.”
Santa Claus is Omnipotent. The materials in which to manufacture billions of dollars in toys and other gifts are surely not to be found at the North Pole. Does he have power to render them into existance? If he has power to enable reindeer to fly; if he can cover the globe in a chariot in the span of a few hours: does he not deserve the title of the Prince of the Powers of the Air? But Jesus told His disciples: “All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth” Matt. 28:18. Interestingly, Santa appears to be mimicking Elijah: "there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire . . .and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven" II Kings 2:11.
Santa has “power” to “descend” from the rooftop, down the chimney; is unaffected by smoke, soot or flame; is then able to “ascend” from the “Fire Place.” Yet we are told in the scriptures, “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone. . .and shall be tormented day and night forever and ever” Rev. 20:10.
But how may Santa enter a house with no fireplace, being secured by dead bolt locks? In John chapter 20 we find: “Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shutwhere the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.” Not only did he appear in the room but gave a “gift” to each disciple: “Receive ye the Holy Ghost.” Shall it be any wonder then, that St. Nick “appears” in the evening; that he may simply be in the room, perhaps by de-materializing. His greeting is not “peace” be unto you, but Merry Christmas; his “gift” not the Spirit of Christ, but the “spirit” of mammon.
Santa shall come from the heavens, his “rewards” being with him. Therefore those who “believe” in him are to diligently look for his appearing: Santa Claus is coming tonight! The believer is to be “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” Titus 2:13. The promise of Christ in Rev.22: 12: “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”
Is Jesus God? Then is Santa a god. Is Jesus come in a body as a man? So does Santa. Does God have a “wife,” and Jesus a “bride?” Then likewise does Santa.
Of course many know that by moving one letter in the name “Santa,” that of the “n,” that the result is “Satan.” Too numerous are these comparisons to be shrugged off as being mere coincidence.
We return to our original question: Why should parents not tell their children to believe in Santa Claus. What possible harm could there be in this “innocent deception?”
Familiar to all is Proverbs 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Paul, in writing to Timothy, called “to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also” II Tim. 1:5. “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” II Tim. 3:14,15.
And what mother, as a believer, does not desire the same for her child as did Grandma Lois and mother Eunice; that with anticipation she longs for the day that the Holy Spirit will quicken the implanted Word in saving faith!
Young minds are very impressionable. Are we not told of the need to instruct them at an early age? How carefully ought they to be molded; that they be guided in good conduct and behavior!
Suppose a young one, being in church and Sunday school: knowing all the Bible stories - suppose this child has been taught to believe in Santa Claus; believe that he is real; that he brings those presents under the tree; believes you: that you have been honest about his exist-ance. From the same mouth he has heard of the reality of Jesus . . .and of Santa. But it’s only a little harmless deception, isn’t it? The day comes when the truth about old St. Nick comes out. Well, what harm could it possibly do!?! I have known of children who took it seriously, who cried when they found out that the Santa that they had loved and depended on was a myth. Is it really worth the chance; of putting your integrity and credibility on the line?
And what if this child that has received from your mouth the reality of Jesus . . .and Santa Claus - if Santa is not real after all; he’s only make-believe: then maybe, just maybe, Jesus isn’t real either. If reindeer don’t pull a sleigh full of toys through the air on Christmas Eve - then maybe Moses didn’t cross the Red Sea on dry ground: maybe young David didn’t slay a giant named Goliath with a sling and a stone. Was Jonah really swallowed by a whale?
Satan is making a bid for your child. As the seed of Truth is sown in his heart, even so will Satan look for a door of opportunity that he may sow the seed of doubt! Is it not Satan’s hath God Said, that brought doubt before Eve, leading to her downfall?
It is in error if we contend that Jesus and Santa can co-exist. The scripture is plain: “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Matt. 6:24.
If that young one is taught to “believe” in Santa, and taught to believe in Jesus, then is he put into a position where he must make a choice. Who shall he favor: a little Christ-child born in a manger many, many years ago, to whom presents were given? Or a cheery little man who flies through the air in a sleigh pulled by tiny reindeer: who’s coming Christmas Eve: to bring him a lot of presents! Are we to be an avenue through which the Holy Spirit may work, or shall we be found hindering His spiritual operation in those tender lives?
“Yes, but if I tell my children there is no Santa Claus it will cause conflict with other children who have been instructed to the contrary!” Possibly. But who said that the life of the believer is to follow the path of least resistance? Listen: Jesus Christ is the God of Heaven and earth. Santa Claus is an image; a “god” of mammon. We need not look far for proof. Consider even now, hundreds of millions of people, buying billions of dollars in toys and presents for one another. Shall we deny his influence upon all; the “Christian community” as well?
Does it not seem reasonable that a home just might be drawn a little closer if your children knew the gifts were from you? May they not jump up in your lap, put their arms around your neck, and say, “Thank you Mommy,” or “Thank you Daddy!” Shall their affections be allowed to flow to a make-believe benefactor whom they have not, nor will ever see?
There quite possibly is an opportunity afforded here for an effective testimony to that young one, yet without compromise: One might say, Yes, there is a Santa Claus - he is make-believe, a pretend Santa - just for fun. He is like cartoon characters; he is like a little girl’s “Barbee doll." It’s O.K. to pretend if you want to. But on the other hand, all you hear from the Bible; all those things about Jesus, are real: just as real as Mommy and Daddy; just as real as you are! Jesus is not make-believe; he is real and wants to be a living person in your heart!
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