For the Christian, Christmas should fundamentally be about Jesus, just as every day should ideally have Jesus Christ as the focus. As God through Paul says in 1 Corinthians, "Whether you eat or drink--whatever you do--do it to the glory of God." And only the person who believes in Jesus Christ can do anything to the glory of God, for it is God (alone) who works in you to will and work for His good pleasure.
But just as the civil holiday we call Christmas has diverse roots, so it serves as a holiday, not merely for Christians, but for all people. And as the vast majority of Americans celebrate Christmas, but not Christ, we should ask what it is that this vast majority is truly celebrating?
People have every right to celebrate Santa, but as witnessed with the growing number of young parents who don't do Santa, selling children a myth has consequences.
First, many children, when grown older, feel lied to. It would be one thing if parents really believed in the Santa of the North Pole and were passing their beliefs down to their children. But there are few adults who believe in Santa. Rather, parents by and large take something they know to be untrue, and present it to the children as truth. For many, the first question asked after learning that Santa is a myth is "Then why did you tell me he was real?" That is hard to answer.
Second, the myth of Santa can prove to be more scary than magical. I remember being told one Christmas Eve that Santa would only come if I fell asleep. I was terrified--and was awake half the night, imagining how I had ruined Christmas. But this instance pales in comparison to the larger belief propagated that Santa will give presents or coal based on whether a child is naughty or nice. In other words, Santa is keeping tabs on your behavior all year round and sword is hanging over your head. There is much more law and judgment in this sentiment than grace and love.
Third, Santa distracts from the true gift-givers on Christmas, from a civil perspective--Mom and Dad. Once a year, Mom and Dad give gifts to their children, not to reward good behavior or punish misbehavior, but because they love their children and want to give them gifts.
Thus, we should tear the beard and hat off of Dad, and expose him for who he is--not a mythical man of omniscient judgment, but a gentle and tender father who gives out of love and grace. And Mrs. Claus--Mom--is not in the background of this picture, but is hand-in-hand with her best friends, seeking to bless her children.
We don't have to lose Santa entirely. My little boy was taken to see "Santa" just recently. But when he is old enough to understand, we'll introduce him to the nice, old man who is dressing up in a costume for Christmas in order to share the love that mommies and daddies around the world have for their children.
And, as kids are given a holiday centered on loving authority figures and gracious gifts, they are more encouraged to look to the Creator of this world and Giver of grace by faith in Jesus Christ.
