Spoiler Alert: This post issues with topics related to Santa.
I've been thinking quite a bit about Santa. Since I spend at least 7 hours a day with 25 children around the age of 10, I've had plenty of experience with the varying degrees of faith kids put in the little bearded guy.
I just wonder why parents want their children to have faith in him.
Let's look at the information we have:
Wears a red suit with fur lining
Goes down chimneys
Delivers toys to good kids
Delivers Coal to naught kids
Has a workshop with lots of little elves who work on those toys year-round
Is married
Flies in a sleigh carried by flying reindeer
Reaches every house in the world in one night
Is omnipotent (he knows who is naughty or nice) or at least all-seeing
Likes cookies and milk
I forgot how embedded the guy is in kids minds until a boy in 2nd grade said, "I didn't get my list in the mail. I think I'll just be happy with what he gives me," and was very matter-of-fact about it. I suggested email. Santa must have email by now.
So, why is it, if parents can encourage so much faith in this fictional character, they can not see the simple faith they need to believe in Jesus?
It truly is the "faith of a child" to truly believe in Christ, so why not look at it from that perspective.
Let's compare the two for a moment.
Santa: There is no getting off that "naughty" list. He checks it only twice and if you're on the wrong one by Dec 24, you'd better start thinking of the new benefits of coal. There is no form of communicating or explaining how or why you're on the naughty list.
Jesus: Is always checking that list and doesn't keep track of those 'naughty' things. Sure, we need to recognize the harm our naughty actions do, but at least you can talk to the guy.
Santa: Only comes once a year and is only available through mail (email access has not been confirmed)
Jesus: Available year-round, any time, anyplace
Santa: Gives gifts for good boys and girls.
Jesus: This one can be very theologically tricky. I don't want to make it too deep. Doesn't really hand out gifts like Santa. "It rains on the righteous and the unrighteous," right? So, sure, good things happen to good people, but so do the bad. Believing in him doesn't mean you'll be more successful than someone who doesn't. Maybe it just means you will feel different about your success... or failure.
So, parents, what is the problem in encouraging your child to believe in someone who seeks them out to love and care for them, is available year-round and wants nothing but good things for them? It seems a lot better than some guy who is only available once a year, has a list, and in whom children eventually lose faith? Actually, the image of Santa reminds me a lot of who people think God is: that Big White-haired Man who looks for our faults and yells at us for them and the only way to please him is to be a good boy or girl.
I know there are plenty out there who could call me a Scrooge about this. I know, I'm pretty much saying I don't have faith in Santa. In society today, that seems horrendous. Its like I'm on track to becoming a new family PG rated movie about that poor doubting person who just needs a little more faith in her life to believe in Santa.
But look at what that movie would really tell kids, "Believe in something that brings others joy. Believe miracles can happen. Believe in the idea there is hope, joy and kindness in the world." Why does that message need to come from Santa? That message appeared long before Santa.
I do have faith. I just choose to put it in something more substantial.
Have a Merry Christmas.
Comments (4)
But Santa brings presents. And in today's society, getting material things is so much more important than having Jesus around. Besides, it's so much easier to stop believing in Santa - there's no guilt to go along with that. Everyone wants to have an easy way out.
I totally agree with you on Santa. I just finished a section of The Year of Living Biblically, where the guy goes to an Atheist meeting, and one shares that he became one because he found out Santa's not real, and so figured Jesus wasn't real either. Which is ultimately the destination we have, if parents pretend with on mystical figure but say they're not with the other. Children are supposed to figure out the parents are lying about Santa but telling the truth about Jesus, when they can't ever see or touch either?
And you're right, there are many similarities between the two. What we actually propose is nothing short of idolatry, when we speak of how great this numinous intangible figure is, and expect gifts from him. I was actually excommunicated from one church in part for suggesting this. (The other part was for not being patriotic, which lead me straight into the arms of the Quaker church.) Which only highlights how much we in America, and even Christian Americans, have put Santa into the holy category. But you can not have two masters.
Much better, I think, is the St. Nicholas tradition of England and Europe, more based on the turkish saint than the Nordic deity, like our Santa Claus.
Well said!
Will invariably have their unique dreams forever! Trust yourself!
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