So, over the years, I’ve kept my views on Santa Claus mostly quiet with some veiled but sharp commentary. However, in the year of 2020 perfect vision, I’m going to be a bit more direct.
As a Jew, I am immensely grateful for Jesus. As a Jew, it’s a miracle that I’ve even come to accept that which was already mine. For I once was lost, but now I am found.
Yet. Most of my Jewish peeps can’t and won’t receive Jesus due to fear of being expelled from their families.
As a Jew, who is now a son, I often sit perplexed at how American Christians view Jesus. It simply amazes me how thankless (yes, check that this week on turkey day) many are towards The One I had risked everything to accept.
For what The Jewish people have openly rejected from pride, fear, stubbornness, and full on blindness ... such blessing has come to the gentiles. Such power. Such hope. Such purpose. Even despite the vast theological differences, what an inheritance the gentiles have .... yes, within them!
But. For many, Jesus is nothing more than a cartoon. In many, I see a reverence really no greater than that for Santa coming down the chimney to chow down on milk and cookies. For many “believers” Jesus is more myth than reality.
Through Santa we teach our kids that:
- If you are good, you get good things from the one who knows all.
- If you are naughty, you get lumps of coal from the one who knows all.
- If you behave, you will get gifts once a year from the one who knows all.
- If you misbehave, you have to wait a full year for redemption from the one who knows all.
Really. Santa IS behavior modification. I’ve seen teachers even threaten kids they will call Santa. I’m certain parents do the same.
In fact. Does it bother anyone, we lie to kids about Santa (for our parental enjoyment) and one day our kids are crushed as they DO find out we were lying to them?
Does it bother anyone that we are teaching kids to search for gifts at the foot of the wrong tree? The best gifts of all, yes the ones that set captives free ... are at the foot of the cross, not at the foot of the giant Fir!
Santa may deliver gifts once a year, but Jesus saves, heals, delivers, gifts us, and grants us access to the keys of the kingdom 24/7 year round. And no matter the personal stupid that I’ve done, I can still operate in His love and giftings.
We are literally training kids that they are only worth something to God if they are good. We teach them that the love Santa has for us is conditional to 1) believing enough and 2) how good I am.
I’m good, I get good things.
I’m bad, I get coal.
No wonder most American kids grow up having no clue about their identity in Christ. Most have no idea that the gospel has nothing to do with our goodness but everything to do with His goodness!
How about, Jesus loved me first. And. No matter what I do, I am both loved and approved. Yes, that love itself will change me, flow through me, challenge me, shape my behavior, and become my guiding light. His love for me and His Spirit within me IS my behavior modification plan!
Between Western pulpits that preach self help and behavior modification, to uninformed parents who reinforce good behavior for heavenly acceptance - no wonder most have little true understanding of the gospel.
Traditions are great. I’m Jewish, I know this.
But traditions aren’t great at the expense of truth.
I don’t mind Santa. I mind that Santa has more of a hold on the hearts of children than Jesus does.
We have it all backwards!
Look around you. The times are quickly changing, and as the EMPOWERED spiritual body of Christ, our focus on kingdom must change. And. That change is being demanded from us.
The societal issues we face Santa can’t remedy.
Only Jesus and His church can.