The poem "Christmas Truth" is below, but I first wanted to express some thoughts for those who care to read them. These thoughts were prompted by the disagreement that occasionally arises over whether parents should teach their children that Santa Claus is real.

While realizing that the degree to which Santa is a part of one's Christmas needs to be a personal conviction, the disturbing thing to me is that Santa has become such a strong tradition (especially in America) that most people could not enjoy Christmas without him.  This is sad since true joy is found only in Christ...which for the Christian...is what Christmas should be about.  Unfortunately many Christians seem to agree with the unsaved (who care little about Christ) and think it strange if you do not teach your children to believe in Santa Claus.

The very fact that Santa is not real...a character of folklore...is why I have such a hard time understanding the dissension that often takes place between Christians over including Santa in one's Christmas.  Before you argue that Santa Claus is based on the real St. Nicholas, please understand that though this may be true, the evolution of St. Nicholas to Santa Claus has been to such an extent that there is little resemblance between him and the person that St. Nicholas was according to tradition. The tall dignified ecclesiastical figure has been replaced by a chubby elf dressed in red while his means of travel has gone from a white horse to a sleigh and reindeer. Of course the sleigh and reindeer are more appropriate since he no longer lives in Turkey(?) but now resides at the North Pole. In addition to all of this, Santa possesses some rather amazing abilities that St. Nicholas didn't seem to have (need I mention).

St. Nicholas was a man, who according to legend, did a lot of good deeds including giving gifts to the poor.  How much of this legend is true?  How accurate is it?  I have no idea, perhaps a great deal.  But part of the legend(s) also suggests that he was at times accompanied by an elf named Black Peter who came along to whip the naughty children.  And one of the sources that I used in researching St. Nicholas said that his life was so unreliably documented that Pope Paul VI ordered the feast of Saint Nicholas dropped from the official Roman Catholic calendar.

Therefore, understanding these things, we must at least question to some extent how accurate the information we have about St. Nicholas really is.  But, considering that St. Nicholas may have been a true saint (1 Corinthians 1:2), he probably wasn't anything like Santa Claus with the exception of giving to others which should be true of anyone who is a Christian (saint).  Finally, I feel certain that as a saint he would not have wanted to be responsible for usurping worship from the One who truly deserves it (Revelation 15:3-4)...from the very One for whom the day (Christ-mas) was set aside.

I am not trying to speak poorly about St. Nicholas.  His life may have been far more Christ centered than my own will ever be.  However, when it comes to celebrating Christmas, the gift of Christ (incarnation), then I will bypass all the Santa tradition and teach my children to praise the One who without question deserves the praise, the One who is the Truth, the One in whom we can have true joy, and the One from whom we receive all that we have; and that is Jesus Christ.

"For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.
To Him be the glory forever. Amen" (Romans 11:36).

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Christmas Truth

Christmas day approaches
With it’s old familiar ring;
To children, Jesus means little,
But Santa means everything.

You can teach the Incarnation,
The gift of Jesus as the savior;
But it won’t compare to Santa
Or the gifts that "buy" him favor.

Christians, throughout the year,
In their daily living,
Teach their kids to thank the Lord
For all that He has given.

They're taught to thank Him for their food
and say their, "God is great;"
and pray at night, to "keep their souls,"
Should they die before they wake.

Then told on Christmas morning
That the many gifts received,
Have come from another source...
One who is make believe.

But God is the real provider,
So we have decided,
Christmas morning in our house
Will not be divided.

We'll teach our chidren the truth,
while giving gifts and such;
To praise Jesus... for all things come,
Only through His touch.

©1999  A. Mitchell Moore, Jr.

“Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift
is from above, coming down from the Father of lights,
with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow.”
James 1:17

“I am the LORD, that is My name;
I will not give My glory to another,
Nor My praise to graven images.”
Isaiah 42:8

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