You're a mean one, Mr. Claus

So,  we made it past the twelve days of Christmas and into the season of Epiphany. . Don't want to ruin anyone's Christmas by complaining about Santa Clause,  so waiting until now to post this.

On one hand, I'm not really anti-Santa. His image can be found in my home at certain points in the year, I've been known to sing songs about him from time to time,  and I enjoy the Tim Allen movies. Part of me thinks it's all just harmless fun. Some Christians struggle with Christmas being split or shared between Christ and secular festivities like Santa Claus. Even this does not bother name all that much.

So, what is it I don't like about Santa Claus? Well, that all goes back to what we give presents for in the first place. Christmas gifts are given as a commemoration of the ultimate gift given to us on the first Christmas; Jesus becoming fully God and fully Man to bear or sins to the cross. Most may not think of it that way anymore, but that is why we do it.

The first Christmas gift was not given to mankind because we deserve it,  earned it, or even asked for it. God have the gift out of love for his children, undeserved love. Likewise, when we give gifts at Christmas, especially to our children, we do it for the same reasons. This is not what the story of Santa Claus teaches or children. In order to get something from Santa, you have to ask for it and you have to be good. The gifts must be earned (at least in theory).

Yet, if these gifts symbolize the gift of Christ and salvation it self, then what does the story of Santa Claus teach about that gift? Obviously it teaches that salvation must be earned by being good. It promotes legalism, and that is unacceptable. Children of the age to believe in Santa are constantly absorbing and processing ideas and concepts, it's not the time to be confusing ideas.

You could still do Santa Claus and ignore the real purpose of these gifts at Christmas time, but you will be missing a fantastic teaching opportunity by doing so.  If is very easy to use Santa and Christmas to try to get better behavior out of our children, but it does them a disservice and it does a disservice to the Gospel. How much better is it to show children undeserved love when they misbehave and give them the gift from loving parents in spite of their behavior instead of encouraging them to earn it from a magical power?

Christmas is about Christ. I'm OK with some secular celebrations, but when those secular things can undermine the meaning of Christmas, it becomes a harder pill to swallow, and one that gets harder every year.