Is “Santa” an anagram for “Satan?”
Is it just a typo or something far more diabolical? We’re in a courtroom and the evidence is about to be presented. As in all jury instructions, we are to keep an open mind until we have seen the evidence. In our courtroom, there is one difference. There is no defense, only a presentation of the charges.
Let’s start with the purpose(s) of Santa/Satan. Sure it’s a commercialized holiday. Stores make a large percentage of their annual sales during the three months prior to Christmas. And, of course, homes are decorated, trees adorned, lights put up and we all ooh and aah. But I believe the primary purpose is to distract from the true meaning, the eternal importance of Christmas. To put it simply, Jesus’ birth was the opening act in God’s plan of salvation. Anything that defocuses our attention from that is a lie from the pit. But it doesn’t stop there.
Another purpose of Santa/Satan
is to feed our selfishness and greed. We could aptly be named the “Me Generation.” We count the presents under the tree. We expect our employers to pony up a bonus while our output typically wanes because of the “Christmas” spirit in the office or workplace. Just look at the kids’ faces as you sit around the tree waiting for the presents to be handed out and you’ll see anything but a holy respect for the birthday party of our Lord. Further evidence can be found in our comparison to what others got. Did they get more, or more expensive than I? And what feelings are fostered from this comparison? Either pride because we got the “more” end of the stick or envy, maybe anger because we didn’t. Both are wrong.
One more piece of evidence not often talked about is how some parents try to make up for a year of poor parenting by spending money they don’t have on shiny objects that aren’t needed and by New Years will be tucked away in a closet rarely to be seen or used again. Moreover, getting kids to believe in Santa, the Easter Bunny, the tooth fairy, or any other seemingly harmless childhood “right,” and then taking it away amounts to lying and then telling the truth and bursting their bubble. It paves the way for this same expectation when trying to get them to believe in God. If that isn’t a perversion of God’s intent, I can’t think of one. And who is it that perverts everything from God, the “giver of every perfect gift (Jas. 1:17)”?
Let’s face it.
For the most part, Christmas is a pagan holiday celebrated by pagans and Christians alike. That’s the sad state of the church today. The Bible has a clear warning from God, “Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord. “and do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you.” (2 Cor. 6:17; Isa. 52:11).
I am not advocating totally abandoning traditional Christmas trappings. But I am calling those of us who know the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, to hear the message of the Lord to the church at Ephesus in Revelation 2:4,5 “But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent.” Strong warning and He wraps it up with this, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (v.7). Are you listening?
Friends, I believe the church
is on a slippery slope and gathering speed. We have embraced all kinds of Biblical prohibitions from ear-tickling messages to blatant immorality. Yes, thank God there are still godly men in some pulpits and they are not afraid to preach the truth. But they are an endangered species. Satan’s mission is obvious, “The thief [Satan] comes only to steal and kill and destroy…(John 10:10a). Thankfully, there is a part ‘b’ to this verse, “I [Jesus] came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
So it’s time to weigh the evidence. Two questions to ask yourself, “1. What does the (worldly) celebration of Christmas—with all its glitter and busyness—do to point me to the One whose birthday we are supposed to be remembering?” There are only two teams to play on. If one of them isn’t pointing us to Christ, it has to be “the other one, Santa/Satan, hmm.” And then ask, “2. What am I going to do about it?”
Thanks for stopping by. If you’d like to know more about a relationship with the God who wants the best for you, check out our “Steps to Salvation” page on this site.