| (Copyright 2004) by Wayne Schatzle (West Chester, Ohio) |
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| I have watched the phenomenon of the Christmas celebration from the outside for over 25 years now. I have studied and wrote many articles on the subject as well as discussed the origins of the many strange traditions involved in the celebration. It is interesting how people will put a spin on the ancient pagan practices and make it appear to be a wholesome Christian holiday. The facts will remain that Jesus was born in the fall, decorating a tree are of the roots of ancient tree worship, no where do we see biblical evidence of celebrating His birthday, and December 25 was the very date of sun worship practiced long before the advent of the Babe in a manger. I have heard many excuses as to why people perpetuate such pagan ceremonies, and that is between them and their Creator. Over the years I have become calloused to the many traditions except for the inclusion {or intrusion} of Santa Claus. Above all the curious customs we associate with the birth of our Lord we add the custom of this figure to draw our children’s attention away from Jesus! Think about it: the “reason for the season” is supposedly to celebrate the birth of our Savior which is something that we should instill into our children {if we are to keep His birthday} yet we invent this individual to take the affection away from Jesus in the youngest of minds. I wonder of the rational to lie to our kids for years about the personage of Santa Claus. Good relationships are built upon trust and honesty and to deceive the most vulnerable of our families affects the bonds of trust into the teen years. There was a television show that had a skit called the “Church Lady”. Once she talked about Santa Claus and the deception- and ended the bit with her signature line, “Let me see, who could it be? Could it be…SATAN? It was a very funny sketch- but oddly enough has a ring of truth to it. As we study the bible, we see our Creator as a jealous God, not willing for His followers to share their love for any other {Isaiah 48:11; Exodus 20:5; 2 Corinthians 11:2}. We also see in the background an individual with contempt for God and wanting that same worship. “I will ascend into heaven and exalt my throne above the stars of God… on the farthest sides of the north {North Pole?} … and will be like the Most High”, said Lucifer {Isaiah 14}. Jesus speaking of this individual said, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven” and after Jesus’ baptism Satan immediately tried to get Jesus to worship him {Matthew 4}. Satan is deceptive and will get homage one way or the other. Consider Paul’s warning,” and no wonder, For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light”. Maybe the “church lady” is correct. The Christmas celebration is not going away anytime soon- it is too entrenched in our culture and economy to end. If you must keep it remember why you keep it and do your children a favor and teach them about an extraordinary moment in time, when the Creator of the universe became flesh! Read to your kids that awesome story in the second chapter of Luke… and don’t give that glory and honor to any other- even Santa Claus. “Do not be deceived. Every good gift is from above and comes from the Father of lights…” {James 1:17} {Study scriptures: Jeremiah 10; Deuteronomy 12; Matthew 15:9} |
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