Children are brought up with the idea of asking Santa for things. They are drawn into the idea that good behavior gets desired rewards.
They are threatened with rejection or punishment by Santa if they mess up.
They are told Santa or one of his elves are watching them all the time, not in love, but to keep score of how they are performing.
And, of course, all this goes on for just a season. After Christmas, Santa and his elves go back to the North Pole. Children have to wait for next year to see him again.
Recently I have noticed how closely these Santa ideas parallel how many see God.
They believe God rewards them for good behavior and abandons them or punishes them for bad behavior.
They believe God or His angels are watching them, not in love, but to keep score. They live with the phrase, “God will get you for that.”
And sadly, they do not believe God is with them, except in certain circumstances, and even then, they see Him as doing what He does from a distant location.
Many believe He will not be back until a future time.
Should we eliminate Santa? No!
But what if we used Santa to teach our children about unconditional Love?
What if we taught them about a Loving Presence in their lives who knows what is happening and wants them to behave in a way that will help Santa spread Love and Joy everywhere?
What if we encouraged them to select gifts from what they have to give to others? They could be on Santa’s team!
What if we let them feel the joy of receiving a gift, even when they have not earned it?
What if we taught them what mercy and grace is all about?
What if we taught them they have the superpower of loving other people and forgiving them when they mess up?
What if we confirmed Santa will go away until next year, but God never will?
What if we taught them God is with them always, loving them and guiding them in the right way?
And finally, what if we encouraged them to pray for Santa and give thanks for His faithfulness and Love?
One of my favorite pictures of our grandson from some years ago makes it appear he was praying for Santa.
I don’t know for sure what was being shared between Santa and this precious child.
Perhaps Santa realized this child was not there just to ask for things. He was there to invite Santa into The Kingdom of Heaven!
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Matthew 19:14
