Tim Powers, an American author once remarked: “Thus Milton refines the question down to a matter of faith," said Coleridge, bringing the lecture to a close, "and a kind of faith more independent, autonomous - more truly strong, as a matter of fact - than the Puritans really sought. Faith, he tells us, is not an exotic bloom to be laboriously maintained by the exclusion of most aspects of the day to day world, nor a useful delusion to be supported by sophistries and half-truths like a child's belief in Father Christmas - not, in short, a prudently unregarded adherence to a constructed creed; but rather must be, if anything, a clear-eyed recognition of the patterns and tendencies, to be found in every piece of the world's fabric, which are the lineaments of God. This is why religion can only be advice and clarification, and cannot carry any spurs of enforcement - for only belief and behavior that is independently arrived at, and then chosen, can be praised or blamed. This being the case, it can be seen as a criminal abridgement of a person's rights willfully to keep him in ignorance of any facts - no piece can be judged inadmissible, for the more stones, both bright and dark, that are added to the mosaic, the clearer is our picture of God.” Matthew 2:11 reminds us: “And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.”
Whether the real Father Christmas exists or not is a matter of personal belief. Many deem that Father Christmas, also known as Santa Claus, is just a legendary figure who delivers gifts at Christmas, and his story centers on historical and mythological elements. However, a true Christmas is only in the heart of the living believer. It incorporates the birth of Christ, many secular traditions and for the younger generation the hopeful prospect of the arrival of Father Christmas. Although Santa is sadly not considered real by all, it is said that the spirit of Father Christmas can dwell in everyone. Doubt only prevails in self-sabotage.
The figure of Santa Claus has a connection to a real person, Saint Nicholas of Myra, a bishop who lived centuries after Jesus. He was known for his generosity to the poor and became a popular figure of gift-giving in European tradition. Santa Claus is a symbol of the Christmas season. He represents the human ability to suppress the selfish and hateful tendencies that rule the major part of some people’s lives. Father Christmas is a symbol of joy and happiness, representing the spirit of the Christmas season through generosity, good cheer, and the magic of giving. He embodies the festive and communal aspects of Christmas, bringing excitement and wonder to children and reminding people of the values of kindness and togetherness.
Believing in Father Christmas can be considered a concept of faith for many children, as it involves accepting someone unseen based on the accounts of others. This credence is often tied to the magic and spirit of Christmas and involves trusting certain ideas, such as his existence and role in delivering gifts, without direct proof. Father Christmas (or Santa Claus) is widely considered a source of hope. He embodies the spirit of giving, joy, kindness, and his character manifests optimism in a legacy that may help to lift a sunken heart and revive the despondent. Colossians 3:12 reminds us: “Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.”
The figure of Father Christmas is fundamentally about benevolence, which is defined as the disposition to do good and an inclination to perform kind or charitable acts. This is a core aspect of his character in modern popular culture. Numerous real-life stories highlight the profound kindness of total strangers, often appearing during moments of crisis or need to provide unexpected help and comfort. These acts range from small gestures to life-changing interventions.
Father Christmas is for children of all ages. A story is told of an elderly couple with a flat tire on a busy motorway, worried about missing their Christmas flight, were rescued by a young man in a van. He changed their tire quickly, refused any payment, and simply said he hoped someone would do the same if his own grandparents were in trouble. In a similar situation, a military private whose car broke down in the middle of nowhere was helped by a passing mechanic and his wife; the mechanic bought and installed a new alternator for free, and his wife packed the young man dinner for his journey.
Belief in Father Christmas can be beneficial to children by fostering imagination, promoting prosocial behaviors like generosity, and sparking a sense of wonder and creativity. The tradition can encourage children to think creatively, act generously, and learn about the spirit of giving, which can be a positive aspect of childhood development. Acts 20:35 reminds us: “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
A Christmas tree is considered traditional during the festive season. It is said to represent eternal life and, for Christians, the birth and resurrection of Jesus Christ. A tree will often contain a ornamental figurine of Santa. In a broader, historical sense, evergreens symbolize life and renewal during the winter, a tradition adopted from ancient pagan solstice celebrations. Today, the tree serves as a focal point for the festive season, uniting traditions and beliefs, and bringing families together. Whether a Christmas tree glorifies God depends on individual belief, as interpretations vary, but many Christians believe it can symbolize and point to Christ, while others view it as a pagan tradition that should be avoided. Those who use them often see the tree as a symbol of eternal life, the star on top as the star of Bethlehem, and the tradition as a way to bring family together in a celebratory or spiritual way. José Andrés a Spanish chef once remarked: “The modernity of yesterday is the tradition of today, and the modernity of today will be tradition tomorrow.”
Jeremiah 10:2-4 condemns the pagan practice of making and worshipping idols, specifically a tree, by cutting it down, decorating it with precious metals, and fastening it with nails so it can't move. The passage's meaning is to warn the Israelites against adopting idolatrous customs and instead to fear and worship the true God, who is the creator of all things, unlike lifeless idols. This scripture is often taken out of context in modern discussions, particularly regarding Christmas trees, but the original context was about a specific ancient pagan practice of idol worship. It reminds us: “Thus says the Lord: “Learn not the way of the nations, nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens because the nations are dismayed at them, for the customs of the peoples are vanity. A tree from the forest is cut down and worked with an axe by the hands of a craftsman. They decorate it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so that it cannot move.”
While the traditional figure of Father Christmas (also known as Santa Claus) is based on the historical Saint Nicholas, the spirit of the character is widely considered to represent a more universal idea: Thus, anyone who performs acts of selfless kindness and generosity to others embodies that spirit. Many people view the concept of Father Christmas as a metaphor for the inherent human desire to bring joy and goodwill into the world. In this sense, the enchantment isn't tied to one specific person but rather to the collective actions of all people being good to one another. The acts of Father Christmas can be seen as similar to the wishes of God, as both involve themes of generosity, judgment, and a benevolent desire to bring joy. Both figures are associated with rewarding good behavior and providing for those in need, and the tradition of giving gifts is rooted in emulating the generosity attributed to both God and the magic of Santa.
Amen.
