Hayford On Santa

Santa Claus...

I've been reading a lot about Saint Nicholas - the mysterious historical figure who is the basis for Santa Claus. I've probably read twenty Christian articles and blog posts about Santa and St. Nick over the past few weeks. The one that most impressed itself upon me and really stuck with me was by Pastor Jack Hayford. I've held great respect for Pastor Hayford since 1982 or so when I learned he was pastor of The Second Chapter of Acts music group. Their concerts and recordings were foundational to my walk with the Lord in my late teens and throughout the '80s. He wrote an article about Santa Claus called "He Is A Beautiful Symbol". Here are some excerpts:

"Even though a small percentage of the Christian community takes issue with Santa, I find it hard to be threatened by him. I also find it impossible to believe either God the Father or Christ the Son is likely to be eclipsed by the silhouette of his sleigh rising in the Christmas sky.

The reason is that, beyond all crass commercializing and pagan violations of the true spirit of Christmas, when understood historically and interpreted fairly, Santa is a great symbol of the Holy Spirit the Father wants to rain over the world. However besmirched his image by those who may commandeer and apply his name to any less-than-worthy pursuits or perversions of true Christmasing, Santa Claus will survive unscathed if honestly assessed on the grounds of his true derivation.

Let me explain why I believe in Santa Claus, and what I believe about him.

I believe Santa Claus was a real person, and one who testified to and demonstrated the love of God poured out to us in the Person of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord. A study of Nicholas of Myra (or Bari), who was a "saint" by reason of his faith in Christ, and was titled "Saint Nicholas" by reason of the traditional church's recognition of his love and good works, reveals a true believer and a genuine servant to mankind. All myth and legend evolving from this man, which is flavored with good and godly ideas of love, giving, caring, and helping, are well grounded in fact — facts I believe in.

I believe in Santa Claus as a righteous mood, attitude, or disposition. I believe in whatever generosity of spirit he symbolizes to us, and I like the idea that the contemporary role of Santa has traditionally incorporated a call to personal accountability for good or bad deeds done or undone. To "believe" in this way is not an endorsement of money-grubbing commercialism or orgiastic parties where an employee dressed as Santa leads in the lecherous misappropriation of the spirit of Christmastime celebration. Whatever is done with Santa's reputation by the ignorant ought not weaken our remembrance, acceptance, and celebration of what he truly represents.

I believe in Santa Claus because, when rightly adopted into a family's Christmas traditions, he enhances children's fun without threatening their faith. Whatever instance to the contrary may be cited, where some adult may have concocted a Santa that injured a child's thoughts or emotions, there is an acceptable way to include him in the family and not diminish either ultimate truthfulness or youthful imagination. When adults who know the Savior live like it, no child they influence is likely to confuse the Santa we pretend about with the Living Christ we worship, serve, and place our eternal faith in.

My granddaughter confirms this. She was raised in an atmosphere that neither avoided Santa nor made a religion of him. Though her parents joyfully played Santa, this didn't demolish anything of a healthy respect for the real or the holy.

Yes, I believe in Santa Claus. But I haven't been trapped into paganism or even slightly lost focus on Jesus—the Babe-become-King and the Center of the Season. And I have a suspicion that if Jesus were asked how He felt about Santa Claus—whether the man in the red suit is a threat to the intent of Christ's holy kingdom—Jesus might say: "Wherever a heart of love inspires further loving and giving, the true Father of Christmas is being experienced."