Santa Baby,

In America, Christmas is Santa Claus and Christmas Trees and unfortunately, NOT Jesus. We get confused today too about the true meaning of Christmas. We see less and less Nativitys scenes around and more and more Santas. It’s confusing, the marketing and promotion of the American Christmas scars us more than you might think. And soon we forget the true meaning behind Christmas.

So let’s find Santa Claus in the Bible.

Oh wait, he’s not there. But you do find old guys, all dressed up, bringing gifts to the first Christmas.

Ah yes. The wise men.

Matthew 2:1-11 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ” Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 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.

In addition to the gift tradition started by the Magi seeking a Kings birth, we also know about a saint of early Christendom that loved Jesus and seemed to also have the spiritual gift of giving… St. Nicholas. He was later deemed the Patron Saint of Children in 280 AD. True stories became fictional legends by the 1600s and we see a few recreations of St. Nick around the world.

1. 1600s Kris Kringle- Germany (Christ Child- Chauffeured by St. Nick) Fly house to house quizzing children on Bible Trivia

2. 1600s Father Christmas- Gives Gifts

3. 1600s Sinterklaas- Holland, White horse, rooftops, filling boots with food, money, gifts

4. Early American settlers cancelled Christmas because of the unbalanced focus on St Nick and presents.

5. 1800s Santa Claus- Reindeer, Sleigh, chimney- stockings, gifts, tree

6. 1823. ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’ written by a Christian seminary professor for his children

7. Coca-Cola distributed photos based off of this poem, and that is where our vision of Santa comes from

So Santa today is a little bit of truth, a little bit of fiction and a whole lot of marketing.

Don’t be afraid of Santa, but especially don’t hesitate to share about the real men of history who started the tradition of gift giving at Christmas time.

Merry Christmas!