~ 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
NOTES:
(1)
The
current
TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very
bottom of this home page.
(2)
There
is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the
left column.
(3)
You
may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website.
(4)
You
may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by
prominently displaying the following statement: Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free
blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid
Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/
.
