Santa Claus is a ficticious character, but he can represent something that is very real. Now, some Christian parents believe that anything having to do with Santa Claus can greatly detract from the true meaning of Christmas. They flee from the image of this jolly old man the way John tells his followers "Dear children, keep yourselves from idols" (John 5:21). While it is understandable for some parents to want to keep their children away from Santa so that they do not idolize him, it is possible for the character of Sant Claus to be used to illustrate the gospel and the Christmas message. In much the same way that some of the characters from Jesus' parables were used to represent God, the ficticious character of Santa Claus can be used to represent the true spirit of Christmas.
For us believers, the spirit of Christmas is expressed best through the words the angels sang long ago on that first Christmas night, "on earth peace to those on whom [God's] favor rests" (Luke 2:14). In the hearts or children who believe that Jesus Christ has come, there is peace. Similarily in some works of fiction, those who are on Santa's "nice" list can rest in peace on Christmas Eve knowing that Santa Claus will come down their chimney and give them great gifts. The ficticious stories of Santa Claus can be used to show God is seeking to give everyone a great gift, like Santa does, but only those who have His favor will receive this gift with peace. Similar to Santa, God, too, has a list and anyone whose name is not written on His list will suffer a fate worse than that of a smoldering coal in a blazing furnace (Revelation 20:15). Only those who humble themselves before the LORD receive God's gift of salvation and become children of God. As Mary observed, God's "mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation" (Luke 1:50).
For us believers, the spirit of Christmas is expressed best through the words the angels sang long ago on that first Christmas night, "on earth peace to those on whom [God's] favor rests" (Luke 2:14). In the hearts or children who believe that Jesus Christ has come, there is peace. Similarily in some works of fiction, those who are on Santa's "nice" list can rest in peace on Christmas Eve knowing that Santa Claus will come down their chimney and give them great gifts. The ficticious stories of Santa Claus can be used to show God is seeking to give everyone a great gift, like Santa does, but only those who have His favor will receive this gift with peace. Similar to Santa, God, too, has a list and anyone whose name is not written on His list will suffer a fate worse than that of a smoldering coal in a blazing furnace (Revelation 20:15). Only those who humble themselves before the LORD receive God's gift of salvation and become children of God. As Mary observed, God's "mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation" (Luke 1:50).
While Santa Claus can be used to illustrate the Gospel, most stories about him are not used to show how Santa Claus can represent the true spirit of Christmas. In spite of this, there is a song that does state the gospel message of Christmas throug the use of referring to Santa Claus. (You might even know this song.) In Gene Autry's Christmas classic "Here Comes Santa Claus" in the third verse, Autry sings, "Santa Claus knows we're [as believers] all God's children, that makes everything right. So fill your hearts with Christmas cheer, 'cause Santa Claus comes tonight." In this verse, Autry compares how children who know they will get a present from Santa Claus are similar to Christians who know that Jesus has made them righteous in the eyes of God. In addition to this, Autry sings these words of Biblical wisdom in the fourth verse, "Peace on Earth will come to all if we just follow the light. So let's give thanks to the lord above, 'cause Santa Claus comes tonight." The light to which Autry is refering is likely the same light that the wise men from Anne Murray's song "We Three Kings" call a "perfect light;" a light to which the star above Bethlehem was guiding them. This light is Jesus Christ, who says, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12). Life with Christ is a life of true peace.
Along with what I have written, please bare in mind that Santa Claus is a ficiticious character, and not in any way a replacement for Jesus Christ. If Santa Claus is shown as something worth more than the true meaning of Christmas, then he can easily become the idol and the danger that some parents fear. This can occur when Santa Claus is presented to audiences as a truly real person who exists. John Piper states, "If Christ cannot compete with Santa in the hearts of our kids, we don’t know the real Christ or there is no real Christ." Yes, Santa Claus can be used to illustrate the good news of the coming of Jesus Christ, but Santa can't come anywhere close in excellence to the person who is Jesus Christ. Santa might wear a big red suit, but Jesus is dressed in splendor and "on His robe and on His thigh He has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords" (Revelation 19:16). We, as believers, do not worship a jolly old man in the north pole who only visits the rest of the world once a year. We worship the one true King who is with us always even to the end of the world (Matthew 28:20).
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