Santa Claus vs. Jesus Christ

~ An Exposé ~    

Background  ~  One Christmas one of our daughters gave away her “Christmas dishes.” She commented that they had the image of Santa Claus on them.  Her decision and action caused me to start thinking about and comparing Santa Claus and the real person of Christmas—Jesus Christ. 

Thesis  ~  Our enemy, Satan, is the master deceiver.  To counter the genuine he presents alternative false options.  He also often uses well-meaning individuals to accomplish his purposes.  His goal is deception by replacing what is real with something that appears to be good.  One example are the false cults which mask themselves as branches of Christianity—and in the process deceive many.

Fact:  “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God IS light and in Him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5).  “For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14).

Origin

Santa Claus:  Santa is a figment of the imagination. 

Jesus Christ:  Jesus is a member of the eternal Godhead.  

Fact:  “Before anything else existed, there was Christ, with God.  He has always been alive and is himself God.  He created everything there is-nothing exists that he didn't make.  Eternal life is in him, and this life gives light to all mankind.  His life is the light that shines through the darkness-and the darkness can never extinguish it” (John 1:1-5, TLB).

Various Names

Santa Claus:  Santa is also known as Saint Nicholas, Kris Kringle (literally “Christ Child”), and Father Christmas.  

Jesus Christ:  Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Lamb of God, the Son of David, Savior, Redeemer, and holds many other names and titles. 

Fact:  “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder.  And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6)” 

Home

Santa Claus:  It is claimed that Santa lives at the North Pole at the top of the earth and that he comes down among us annually.

Jesus Christ:  Jesus Christ did come down—He left His home above—to dwell with us for a short time in history (33 years). 

Fact:   “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.  For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.  This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day” (John 6:37-39).

Message

Santa Claus:  Everything is wonderful: “Ho, Ho, Ho.”

Jesus Christ:  Life on earth has been corrupted, but He has come to ultimately bring peace once again. 

Fact:  “You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:12-14).

Accounting

Santa Claus:  Santa keeps a record of who has been naughty and who has been nice.

Jesus Christ:  Jesus knows every deed you have done and the motives behind them.

Fact:  “For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). 

Vision

Santa Claus:  It is claimed that Santa can see all people at all times. 

Jesus Christ:  Jesus does see all people at all times. 

Fact:  “Where can I go from Your Spirit?  Or where can I flee from Your presence?  If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there” (Psalm 139:7-8, see the entire psalm).

Accountability

Santa Claus:  Santa punishes those who have been naughty.

Jesus Christ:  One day we will all stand before Him to give an accounting of our actions.  Those who have not accepted His provision of forgiveness will face eternal punishment. 

Fact:  “It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). 

Colors

Santa Claus:  Dressed primarily in bright red, with bright white trim, a black belt, and gold buckle. 

Jesus Christ:  His purpose in coming amongst us was to shed His blood as provision for washing us to pure whiteness removing the blackness of sin and enabling us to spend eternity on streets of gold with Him. 

Facts:  “This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matthew 26:28-29).  “Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow” (Psalm 51:6).  “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil) (John 3:19).  “The city was pure gold … and the street of the city was pure gold” (Revelation 21:18, 21).

Visibility

Santa Claus:  Because he is imaginary he has never been seen. 

Jesus Christ:  Although He is a member of the invisible God He made Himself into human flesh in order to live among us.  He was visible to tens of thousands during His time on earth. 

Facts:   “There were about five thousand men [plus women and children]” (Luke 9:14).  “He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve.  After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once” (1 Corinthians 15:4-6).

Timing

Santa Claus:  Santa is available near the end of each year.

Jesus Christ:  Jesus is available 24/7/365. 

Fact:   “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth” (Psalm 145:18).  “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near” (Isaiah 55:6). 

Gifts

Santa Claus:  It is claimed that Santa spends all year at his factory making gifts for us.  This belief creates billions of dollars each year in retail sales.  Note however, that according to tradition, Santa gifts are given conditionally.

Jesus Christ:  Jesus Christ offers us the most important gift in the universe—absolutely free of charge and with no strings attached!  His gift of love is unconditional. He offers salvation as a free gift upon the condition of belief in His death, burial, and resurrection on your behalf. 

Fact:  “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Belief

Santa Claus:  Small children are taught to believe in this wonderful imaginary person. 

Jesus Christ:  The intelligent human must exercise a rational faith in the only One who can offer salvation to them. 

Fact:  “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me’ ” (John 14:6).

Ramifications  ~  Examine your home this Christmas season.  How many images and reminders do you have of Santa Clause?  How many reminders of Jesus Christ and the Word of God?  If an unbiased observer evaluated your home would they think your trust was in Christ or in Claus?  What are your children learning from the visible objects in your home?

Curious Fact  ~  In the English language Satan and Santa contain the same letters of the alphabet! 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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