ABC and the Santa Claus lie

Sinter Klaas “Saint Nicholas”

On a December 24th a while back, ABC had an interesting headline about the Santa Claus lie:

The Heartbreaking Truth About Santa Still Stings Adults

The truth is that this time of year, many who profess Christ feel that it is acceptable to lie to their children about a figure commonly called Santa Claus, who supposedly goes down chimneys and gives gifts to children for Christmas.

One would think that those who claim ties to Jesus would realize that His words prohibit lying and that lies come from Satan the devil:

42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. 43 Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. 46 Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? 47 He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.” (John 8:42-47)

But, no, many decide that their traditions are more important than the commandments of God. Notice that Jesus dealt with this as well:

“3 He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? 4 For God commanded, saying, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ 5 But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God” — 6 then he need not honor his father or mother.’ Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. 7 Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:

8 “These people draw near to Me with their mouth,
And honor Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
9 And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'” (Matthew 15:3-9)

But, again, many ignore that.

Lest there be any question about commandments, notice Jesus’ own words about at least one that those who tell children that there is a Santa Claus who comes down chimneys and gives gifts violates:

“You shall not bear false witness” (Matthew 19:18). “Do not bear false witness” (Mark 10:19). “You know the commandments:…Do not bear false witness” (Luke 18:20).

Now, while there actually was a Catholic bishop named Nicholas (see ‘The Real St. Nicholas – Not Fat and Not Very Jolly Either’), it perhaps should be mentioned that he was violent and held certain views contrary to those of the Bible. While the Roman and Eastern Orthodox consider him a “saint,” those who truly believe the Bible would realize that he was not.

Of course, those interested in the truth have or will study into the entire Christmas matter and realize that no earlier professors of Christ celebrated Christmas or other birthdays. Instead, they observed the biblical holy days, which days like Christmas tend to obscure.

The Bible is about truth. As Jesus said, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth” (John 17:17). So, real Christians are set apart by truth, the truth that is in the word of God.

Yet, since stories about Santa Claus and going down chimneys to give gifts are lies, what does that make those to promote that myth?

Do you really believe the Bible or are you more comfortable with traditions of men?

Now, some believe that all the lies and pagan symbols associated with Christmas are simply harmless fun. They believe that Christmas brings families together, and gets people to learn about Jesus. While the name of Jesus gets mentioned more than at other times of the year by various ones, the reality is that those who observe Christmas do not properly discern the message of Jesus Christ, nor do most of the customs associated with Christmas help people understand how Jesus would have them live.

Furthermore, those who tend to keep Christmas, also tend to not keep the Holy Days that Jesus and His apostles kept. Partially because they do not, those who keep Christmas normally fail to understand God’s plan of salvation, as the lies and trappings associated with Christmas obscure the message. God has a plan revealed through His Holy Days that people would be able to grasp if they would obey Him instead of relying on false traditions of men.

The Santa Claus lie is only a small part of the damage that Christmas does.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

What Does the Catholic Church Teach About Christmas and the Holy Days? Do you know what the Catholic Church says were the original Christian holy days? Was Christmas among them? Is December 25th Jesus’ birthday or that of the sun god?
Did Early Christians Celebrate Birthdays? Did biblical era Jews celebrate birthdays? Who originally celebrated birthdays? When did many that profess Christ begin birthday celebrations?
Is There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible? This paper provides a biblical and historical critique of several articles, including one by the Tkach WCG which states that this should be a local decision. What do the Holy Days mean? Also you can click here for the calendar of Holy Days. (Here is a related link in Spanish/español: Calendario Anual de Adoración –Una crítica basada en la Biblia y en la Historia: ¿Hay un Calendario Anual de Adoración en la Biblia?
Jesus: The Son of God and Saviour Who was Jesus? Why did He come to earth? What message did He bring? Is there evidence outside the Bible that He existed? Here is a YouTube sermon titled Jesus: Son of God and Saviour.
Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing Church of God differ from most Protestants How the real Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants, is perhaps the question I am asked most by those without a Church of God background.
Tradition and Scripture: From the Bible and Church Writings Are traditions on equal par with scripture? Many believe that is what Peter, John, and Paul taught. But did they? A related sermon is titled Tradition and Scripture.
Do You Practice Mithraism? Many practices and doctrines that mainstream so-called Christian groups have are the same or similar to those of the sun-god Mithras. December 25th was celebrated as his birthday. Do you follow Mithraism combined with the Bible or original Christianity? A sermon video from Vatican City is titled Church of Rome, Mithras, and Isis?
Was Jesus Born in the Grotto of the Nativity? Was Jesus born in a below ground cave? Was Jesus born below the “Church of the Nativity”? Were the wise men there?
Is Keeping Christmas a Sin? Is keeping Christmas acceptable for true Christians? What are some scriptures to consider?
What Did Jesus Teach About the Ten Commandments? This article quotes what Jesus actually said about them (His words are in red).
Were the Ten Commandments Nailed to the Cross? Some have said so. This article provides some biblical quotes to answer this important question.
What Did Paul Actually Teach About the Ten Commandments? Many say Paul taught against the ten commandments. Is this true? This article quotes Paul with his words in green.
Are the Ten Commandment Still in Effect? This article quotes the ten commandments and combines some of the previous articles into one article about the ten commandments. The commandments are shown at Mount Sinai, before Mount Sinai, in the teachings of Jesus, after the crucifixion, and in the teachings of Paul. It addresses the most common “traditions of men” regarding them as well.
Were the Pharisees Condemned for Keeping the Law or Reasoning Around it? Many believe that the Pharisees were condemned for keeping the law, but what does your Bible say? If they were not condemned for that, what were they condemned for?
The Ten Commandments Reflect Love, Breaking them is Evil Some feel that the ten commandments are a burden. Is that what Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, and John taught? For a more detailed discussion of the first four commandments, please see the video The Ten Commandments: Loving God. For a more detailed discussion of the last six commandments, please see: The Ten Commandments: Loving Your Neighbor. Here is a link to a related article in Mandarin Chinese 十条诫命显示爱，违反诫命的就是邪恶的
 Was the Commandment to Love the Only Command? Some have stated that John’s writings teach this, but is that what the Bible really says?
The Ten Commandments and the Early Church Did Jesus and the Early Church keep the ten commandments? What order were they in? Here are quotes from the Bible and early writings.
Is There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible? This paper provides a biblical and historical critique of several articles, including one by the Tkach WCG which states that this should be a local decision. What do the Holy Days mean? Also you can click here for the calendar of Holy Days.
Continuing History of the Church of God This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from c. 31 A.D. to 2014. A related sermon link would be Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D. Marque aquí para ver el pdf folleto: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios.
The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?