I have grown more and more to be troubled by and even to despise the concept of Santa. In a world that is rapidly trying to strip Christmas of Christ, I am troubled that Santa is so much a part of Christmas celebrations, especially by believers. We have already begun to teach our little ones that Santa does not exist. You ask my four year old, or comment on Santa, and he will tell you that there is no such person. He already understands that he does not exist and he understands that Christmas is about Christ's birthday. I am so zealous to protect God's glory that I do not want anything, anything to be a part of a celebration of Christ that does not point to Him! I am so zealous for God's glory that anything that would detract attention from God must go! Santa has nothing to offer except a love of self, a love of materialism, and a lie that says we can do good in and of ourselves. Christ has so much more to offer! Why on earth would we want to elevate Santa to a place of glory and honor next to Christ!
My wife and I just had a conversation today in the van about this and about the fact that I want no part of Santa in my Christmas celebration. It adds nothing to celebration the reason He came. Why would I waste my time on it. Oh, but Mike, you say, you are being too harsh. It is just a fun part of the holiday. Listen, I do not hate you or look down on you if you make him a part of your Christmas celebration. What I would say is this, Does it point your kids and your own heart to God or does it feed a love of self and promote a message that says I only get good things if I am good. Because that is not the message of my bible. My bible tells me that when I was a sinner, vehemently opposed to God and His enemy, having done nothing good and deserving only Hell, God gave me the best and greatest gift He could: HIS SON'S LIFE ON THE CROSS TO PAY THE PENALTY FOR MY SIN AND GIVE ME HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, SUFFICIENTLY REDEEMING MY SORRY SOUL.
THAT is something worth celebrating, not Santa.
Listen to John Piper.
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