My last post concluded with the words, "However, I can see one clear and present danger that needs to be confronted....." The theme has to do with Santa Claus as part of our culture and the danger is that we, young and old alike, are prone to confuse the identities of Santa Claus and Jesus Christ. Of course, Santa does not belong to the realm of reality whereas Jesus does. That separation between reality and fantasy is critically important.
Yet it seems to me that there are many adults who want God to be some kind of heavenly Santa Claus.
They "believe in God" (whatever they mean by that) because of the benefits that will flow to them if "they are good" (whatever they mean by that!). Those same people become confused and angry when bad things happen to good people because it contradicts their 'Santa Claus theology' which says that only good people should receive good things while bad people should be deprived of good things.
Even in some of our Christmas music we can see the similarities; consider the following….
You'd better watch out, You'd better not cry,
You'd better not pout, I'm telling you why,
Santa Claus is coming to town.
He's making a list and checking it twice,
Gonna find out who's naughty or nice,
Santa Claus is coming to town.
He sees you when you're sleeping, He knows when you're awake,
He knows if you've been bad or good, So be good for goodness sake!
The song makes Santa Claus out to be one who rewards good but withholds rewards from those who have been naughty, not nice!! It would seem that one has to earn Santa's favour. Apparently there are some behavioral expressions that are not acceptable to Santa. Crying and pouting are but two of them.
I'm a bit threatened by the idea of that list, too. Even more so that he is checking it twice! With or without that list, he knows whether I've been bad or good. He is also very knowledgeable about my sleep patterns. No wonder my parents seem keen for me to go to bed at a reasonable hour (reasonable by their standards, not mine!)
"He knows if you've been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake!"
I suppose that line sum up the belief system of Santa Claus theology. In short, it is one's personal goodness that qualifies us to receive Santa's approval and reward. Countless thousands believe the same way when it comes to finding favour and acceptance with God.
I want this Christmas to be memorable because it is a reminder of God's grace.There is no list of my failures and sins. That list was cancelled long ago (Col.2/13-15). I no longer need fear the coming of Jesus.
