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Youth Messenger Online Edition

October-December

Who’s Coming to Town?
Liliane Balbach
Who’s Coming to Town?

Christmas lights! Decorated Christmas trees! The Christmas spirit is in the air. Little children are lining up in the malls dressed in their best holiday clothes waiting to take pictures with Santa Claus and tell him what they want for Christmas. People are bustling in the stores buying gifts for family and friends. Everyone is happy for “ ‘Tis the season to be merry.”

Christians and non-Christians alike love Santa Claus. He is loved by families. He can be found in local malls, on the back of fire trucks. He’s even part of church celebrations. Many people feel that Santa personalizes the ideals of love, peace, and joy. But does the Bible have anything to say about Santa Claus?

In Exodus 20:4–6, the second commandment forbids idolatry. Christ also cautions us, “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect” (Matthew 24:24). Could Santa Claus be a fraud that is designed to deceive Christians, and steal the spotlight away from Christ? You may say, “That is ridiculous. Santa is an innocent, mythical character who makes Christmas fun for children and even adults.” But unfortunately for many today, Santa holds a much larger place in the holiday season than does Jesus. Let us consider some of the ways that this character attempts to impersonate Christ.

The number of similarities between Jesus Christ and Santa are striking! Is that a pure coincidence or is there a darker design in this?

Lucifer, the mightiest angel who stood next to Christ, was thrown out of heaven because he wanted to be like God. “For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High” (Isaiah 14:13, 14, emphasis added). In fact, the Bible defines blasphemy as trying to be God (John 10:33).

By using Santa Claus as a counterfeit Christ, Satan is attempting to draw our attention from the Son of God to himself so that he can get the worship that he has always coveted. In 2 Thessalonians chapter 2, the apostle Paul foretells of a great deception before the second advent of Christ:

“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders. And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved” (verses 3, 4, 9, 10).[Emphasis added.]

The great danger of deception is that it seems so innocent. However, if we know the truth, and if we know it well, we cannot be deceived. Jesus is the Truth (John 14:6). Dear friend, are you willing to learn to love and obey truth that you may not be deceived by the enemy? While Santa laughs and says, “Ho, Ho, Ho, Merry Christmas,” Christ warns us, “Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, saith the Lord” (Zechariah 2:6). The land of the north refers to ancient Babylon. There are many around the world who are unconsciously propagating Babylonian religious customs when they celebrate Christmas, while the enemy uses Santa Claus to mock Christ and His work as our Saviour.

What will you do this holiday season? Will you be preparing yourself and your children to meet Santa Claus or Christ, the King of heaven and earth? Will you make Christ your King and Saviour every day of this next year?