“…how do you tell young children about Santa Claus? He is supposedly everywhere and knows whether you are good or bad. Is this a permissible lie to tell or is this being a little ridiculous? May God continue to give you and Bonnie what you need to do His work.”
Some brethren feel very strongly that Christians must not go along with the Santa Claus story regarding their children. Many of them believe that such is lying, which would be sinful (Revelation 21:8). One Gospel preacher, who views Santa Claus as a lie, told me that he was disillusioned after he learned that Santa Claus was not real; as a youngster, he then began to wonder if his parents had lied to him about God, too, and that perhaps He was not real either. Other Christians who object to Santa Claus also reject all aspects of Christmas on the basis of its origin arising out of Catholic and pagan religious practices. Further, these saints argue for an observable distinction by the churches of Christ, respecting Christmas, from Catholicism, denominationalism, Hinduism, Buddhism, etc.
Certainly, one ought not to violate his or her conscience (Romans 14:20, 22-23), irrespective of whether the practice against which a person has a conscience is right or wrong biblically (Romans 14:5, 14). The apostle Paul taught in Romans 14 a tolerance of Christians toward each other in matters of conscience that Scripture does not clearly define (1, 3, 5, 10, 13, 15, 19, 22). There are some issues that are not important to God, and they are things over which Christians should not divide (Romans 14:17). The children of God must exercise caution that they do not unnecessarily press as doctrine anything that is not specifically taught in Scripture by command or direct statement, approved example or divine implication (requiring correct inference).
First, Santa Claus in western society today is on par with fairy tales, cartoons, fantasy, movies and books. Typically, mental normality among most of the youthful population has little to no difficulty distinguishing between make-believe and reality, at least by the time it approaches adolescence and often before that time. Discovering that Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, Spiderman, Superman, the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus are fictitious has not resulted in a disconnect with reality by teenagers.
Secondly, the commercialized Santa Claus associated with the national holiday of Christmas in many western countries is divorced from its roots in either Catholicism or paganism. That secular Santa Claus and the secular Christmas with which he is associated do not represent a religious observance. Whereas Catholicism and denominationalism maintain religious observances of holy days such as Christmas, certainly Christians and the Lord’s church ought not to do that in the absence of biblical authority for those kinds of religious observances (Galatians 4:10-11). Therefore, Christians should not impose doctrinal restrictions upon fellow Christians respecting their treatment of secular Santa Claus and secular Christmas. Yet, it is quite understandable, especially in foreign countries that do not have the western backdrop of a secular Santa and a secular Christmas holiday, if Christians in Hindu and Buddhist nations, for instance, opt not to show any affinity for Santa Claus or Christmas, secular or religious.
Thirdly, people in general and Christians in particular have no difficulty whatsoever making a distinction between pagan or pseudo-Christian origins otherwise. Hence, they should not place doctrinal restrictions on secular Santa and the national holiday of a secular Christmas that they would not put on, for instance, the days of the week or the months of the year. Sunday is the day of the sun or worship of the sun god. Monday is the day of the moon or worship of the goddess of the moon. Tuesday, Tyr’s day, was named after the Norse god of war Tiu or Tyr, son of Odin or Woden. Wednesday, Woden’s day, was named after Odin or Woden. Thursday or Thor’s day was named after another son of the mythological god Odin, Thor. Friday, Frigg’s day, was named after the goddess of the sky and wife of Odin. Saturday or Saturn’s day comes from the Roman god Saturn. Likewise, some of the names for the calendar months were derived from similar sources: January (the Roman Janus); February (Roman purification festival called Februa); March (Roman god of war, Mars); May (Roman goddess Maia).
In conclusion, to expose one’s children to Santa Claus, Little Red Riding Hood and Mickey Mouse are parental decisions. Aesop’s Fables have more than entertainment at heart as they present morals to the stories, but they also resort to fantasy with talking animals, etc.; it remains the responsibility of the parents according to their discretion whether they permit their young ones to be introduced to them. Parents in particular and Christians in general ought to decide for themselves how they will proceed with these, without imposing their personal judgments on others. In the absence of clear biblical instruction on this sort of thing, we need to demonstrate toleration, irrespective of what we personally decide for ourselves and for our families. That is my opinion based on general and specific scriptural observations.
