Santa vs. Jesus: Who is the Embodiment of Religion?

*Disclaimer: This blog post may not be appropriate for small children.

For many, the biggest myth they have ever believed involves a jolly, white-bearded, cookie-loving, embodiment of religion. “Embodiment of religion?” you may ask. How is Santa the embodiment of religion? Most world religions operate like Santa operates. Most religions say, if you obey, if you follow the rules, then you will be accepted. Santa operated much like this. Santa’s rules state that if you measure up to some imaginary standard of goodness throughout the year, you will be accepted onto the “nice list” and be rewarded with nice things.

Christianity is radically different from the way other religions operate, and how Santa operates. Christianity is not based on us and our performance. Christianity is based on Jesus and His perfection. We don’t obey in order to get acceptance from God. We obey because we already have acceptance from God through faith in His only Son, Jesus. Jesus lived perfectly on your behalf, living the life you couldn’t. Jesus died in your place, on the cross, taking the punishment, you deserve. Santa and other religions say, “Earn your life.” Jesus says, “My life for your life.”

To further illustrate these points, read this poem entitled ‘Santa vs Jesus’, written by a preacher from London.

“They say there’s a big man who lives far away,
Supposedly jolly but it’s hard to say.
I’ve never seen him, and neither have you.
But the children believe, whether or not it's true.

He’s known as a loner, with many a quirk
No time for a chat, he’s embroiled in his work
He keeps to himself, for most of the year,
I reckon we’re grateful he doesn’t appear.

We send him requests, for particular needs,
But we never hear back, who knows if he heeds?
We try to be good, give his arm a twist,
To merit our place on his blessed little list.

And maybe one day if we do what we should,
He’ll give us our things, so long as we’re good.
I’ve had it to here, I’m calling his bluff:
He’s a weird moralistic dispenser of stuff!

Granted, this rant is a strange one to pick
But listen I’m not really after St Nick
As strange as he is, and Santa is odd,
I’m really addressing most folks’ views of God.

It’s God who we see as a distant Big Guy –
An ancient, invisible, St Nick in the Sky.
“He sees you asleep, He knows when you wake
He’s watching and waiting to spot your mistake.”

And just like with Santa, requests we hand in,
We want all his things, but we don’t want him.
That’s our connection with old Father Christmas.
We might dress it up, it’s essentially business.

Throughout the year, good behavior is our onus
When Christmas rolls around we’re expecting our bonus.
“Just leave us the gifts Nick, we’ve been good enough!
And then please push on, now we’ve got all your stuff!”

I mean Santa is interesting, curious, quirky
But no one wants him to share their Turkey!
I’m sure his “ho, ho, hos” are sublime,
But I fear what he’ll say once he’s drunk our mulled wine.

That’s old St Nick, but the picture rings true,
It’s how we imagine what God is like too.
But Christmas resounds with a stunning “Not so!”
The One from on high was born down below.

To a world in need, He did not send another.
God the Son became God our Brother.
He drew alongside, forever to dwell,
Our God in the flesh, Immanuel.

This God in the Manger uproots all our notions:
A heavenly stooping, divine demotion.
Born in a stable, wriggling on straw,
Fully committed to life in the raw.

Santa gives things and then goes away.
Jesus shows up, to befriend and to stay.
Santa rewards those with good behavior.
Jesus comes near to the broken as Savior.

If you don’t like God, I think I know why…
You probably think He’s St Nick in the Sky.
You’re right to reject that far-away stranger!
This Christmas look down to the God in the manger.”

This poem was originally posted by Glen Scrivener on December 21, 2013.
https://www.christthetruth.net/2013/12/21/santa-vs-jesus-with-words/