Santa vs. The Nativity

Every year I look forward to Christmas. I love shopping. I love wrapping. I love surprising my friends and family with gifts. I like the decorations and the lights and, yes, I like the food a lot.

That sums it up. A time of friends, family, gifts, food, and decorations. A time for me to spend a little (or a lot) of money on my family to show them that I care- and just for fun.

I do like that at Christmas time everyone seems a little more happy. A little more generous and loving. That's certainly an added bonus to the friends, family, gifts, food, and decorations.

However, there is one thing I ABSOLUTELY DO NOT LIKE about this time of year. And that is what Christians have turned it into. I do not appreciate that Christians (and yes, I am one) have tried to make December 25th something it's not- the birthday of Jesus.

First of all, let me state quite clearly that I have no problem with a family or individual deciding that they want to take a day out of the year to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Christ's birth is most certainly worthy of celebration. The sacrifice our God and Father made for us- sending His one Son as a vulnerable child who would soon die for all of mankind- will forever make me stand in awe. I cannot describe to you, reader, the love I know when I realize that Jesus was placed into the care of sinful people as a baby. I can't tell you the emotion I feel when I know this world had nothing better for Him than a dirty stable. This is something that I think of often. It is something I thank God for at every opportunity. And please have no doubt that I celebrate the birth of my Lord.

However, the special celebration of Jesus' birth on December 25th of every year is neither commanded, nor is it accurate. Jesus was not born on December 25th (well, I suppose there is a 1 in 365 and 1/4th chance that He was). Celebrate the virgin birth throughout your life. And celebrate it on the 25th of December if you like, but please, please do not proclaim to the world that Jesus was born on that day.

Digging deeper into this issue, I see a great problem among Christians. That problem is that we are being inconsistent. This year, for some reason, I noticed more than ever a theme of "Santa is a lie." coming from Christians. The point being that if you tell your children there is a Santa, you are lying to them and that is sinful. Let me ask, with all respect, is it any LESS of a lie to tell your children that Jesus was born on December 25th? Let me submit to you that saying Jesus was born on December 25th is not only a lie, it is adding to Scripture (Revelation 22:18). God's Word never tells us when exactly Jesus is born, nor does it specifically tell us to celebrate that day. We ARE commanded to gather around the Lord's table to proclaim His death until He comes. (1 Corinthians 11:26) But celebrating the birth of Jesus is not something we're told to do on any specific occasion in any specific way.

As far as Santa is concerned, children naturally have an imagination. My sister and I, much like any other little girls, used to pretend we were princesses living in a fine castle. Did my parents punish us and tell us we were lying? Certainly not. My parents know that lying is a sin. But they also know that using your imagination is not a lie.

That being said, if you do not want to play along with the Santa game, then don't. I won't tell you not to celebrate the "birthday" of Jesus if you won't tell me to stop believing in Santa. After all, in our house if you don't believe in Santa you don't get any gifts.

All of this to say, I think Christians really... really need to evaluate how we use Christmas. Do not treat other Christians, or non Christians, like they are wrong or sinful for enjoying the story of Santa and focusing on gifts. Children can enjoy opening presents without being "materialistic". Please realize that Christmas, to most people, really is not about the birth of Jesus. It's about the above mentioned friends, family, gifts, food, and decorations. And is that WRONG? No! A healthy family or individual can keep things in perspective while enjoying a holiday that is really just an excuse to have some fun. So whether you're singing Silent Night or Santa Clause is Coming to Town, realize that your version of Christmas may very well not be any more holy or right than that of your neighbor.