Why is SANTA a symbol of Christmas?
Proverbs 15:3 "The Lord is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good."
Santa Claus the man in the big red and white suit. The figure of a big jolly man. Apparently he sees you when you're sleeping, knows when you're awake, knows if you've been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake. Comes down your chimney or into your home to leave you presents in a stocking or under the tree. What does this man have to do with Christmas?
His face is everywhere during this time of year. You can go to nearly every mall in America and take a photo with him. He's visiting hospitals, churches, and holiday parties. He's on stamps, wrapping paper, cards, sticker, mugs, clothing, cookie tins, everywhere! You can't miss him. I would say he's a pretty big deal during Christmas. But how does Santa point us to Christ during Christmas?
Historically you can find a man named Saint Nicholas, but again I'm not writing to give you facts or legends. My intentions are for people to embrace this season, but seeing Christ in it all.
In no way am I saying that Santa Claus is Jesus Christ. However, I do believe that he can be used as a parable reflection of who Jesus is. The same way Jesus spoke in parables describing God as the father of two sons, as well as God being a master over servants. Now I can only imagine how the religious during Jesus time got theologically upset about these figures that Jesus was using to demonstrate who God is to others. Same happens today.
I'm not saying to believe in Santa Claus, but use this example to teach our children about the greatest gift giver, Jesus Christ, through His Holy Spirit. Christmas is about the birth of Jesus and reflecting about why He was even born into this world. And we can look at the symbol of Santa and see that he too reflects why Jesus came.
Red - to shed his blood
White - to save us from our sin
Jolly - to bring us joy
Gift Giver - He gave us His Holy Spirit
NorthPole - He came from above
And as the scripture says, it is the Lord that see's us at all times, all the good and the bad. The anticipation of Santa coming to town gets children and their faith on the track of seeking to be good and to do good to others. If we as believers can have faith like children and understand that our Savior is coming back someday then everyday would be a Christmas season of seeking to be good and do good to others.
That's what Santa teaches us. To live in expectancy that Jesus will come back some day and we need to be ready.
So what do I teach my children? I teach them there was a man named Saint Nicholas and he lived to honor God, but Santa paints a picture of who Jesus is and He loves to give His children gifts. Embrace the season of Christmas, enjoy the festivities, but point your family and friends to the reason of it all. Let them see Jesus in Christmas! Let them even see Jesus in Santa!
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