What Does Santa Claus Have To Do With Christianity?

[MarcATL]

Is Santa Claus a Christian symbol?

If so, please break it down for me by showing me how.

As it stands, I don't see how a mythical character is a symbol for Christianity.

In fact, I believe it distorts it, certainly if and/or when it's used as symbol for Christianity.

I look forward to your responses.

 

[Chuckt]

Santa Claus And The Gospel

1


Has white hair like wool (Rev 1:14)


Has white hair like wool


2


Has a beard (Isaiah 50:6)


Has a beard



3


Comes in red apparel



Comes in red apparel


4


Hour of His coming is a mystery
(Luke 12:40; Mark 13:33)



Hour of his coming is a mystery



5


Comes from the North where He lives (Ezekiel 1:4; Psalm 48:2)


Comes from the North where he lives: North Pole


6


Is a carpenter (Mark 6:3)


Is a toy carpenter



7


Comes as a thief in the night (Matthew 24:43-44)


Comes as a thief in the night. Even gains entrance to homes as a thief.



8


- Omnipotent - All powerful (Rev 19:6)


- Omnipotent - Can deliver all the toys of the world in one night



9


- Omniscient - Knows all (Hebrews 4:13; 1 John 3:20)


- Omniscient - Knows if you have been good or bad, for the entire year



10


- Omnipresent - (Psalm 139:7-10; Ephesians 4:6; John 3:13)


- Omnipresent - He sees you when you wake or sleep. He has to be everywhere at once to be able to deliver all the toys in one short night.



11


Ageless, eternal (Rev 1:8; 21:6)


Lives forever



12


Lives in men (1 Cor 3:16; 2 Cor 6:16-17)


Lives in the hearts of children


13


Giver of Gifts (Ephesians 4:8)


Giver of Gifts


14


Absolute Truth (John 14:6)


Absolute Fable - (1 Tim 1:4; 4:7; 2 Tim 4:4)


15


Sits on a throne (Rev 5:1; Heb 1:8)


Sits on a throne


16


We are told to boldly go to the throne of Grace for our needs (Heb 4:16)


Children are told to approach his throne to ask for anything they want



17


Commands children to obey parents


Tells children to obey parents


18


Wants little children to come to Him (Mark 10:14)


Wants little children to come unto him


19


Judges (Rom 14:10; Rev 20:2)


Judges whether you were bad or good



20


Everlasting Father (Isa 9:6; Heb 12:2)


Father Christmas


21


Christ Child (Matt 1:23; Luke 2:11-12)


Kris Kringle (means christ child)



22


Worthy of Prayers and Worship (Rev 5:14 Hebrews 1:6)


Prayers and worship to "St. Nick" by children


23


Lord of Hosts (Mal 3:5; Isa 8:13; Psalms 24:10)


Lord over a host of elves - (In Druidic religion, elves are demons or tree spirits)


24


God says, "Ho, ho ... (Zechariah 2:6)


Santa says, "Ho, ho, ho ..."


25


Prince of Peace, the Image of God (Isa 9:6; Hebrews 1:3)


Symbol of World Peace, the image of the Christmas Season - the image of man

Comparison Between Jesus Christ and Santa Claus

I do not support the other articles from this site.

 

[Vox]

Apart form St. Nicholas being a Chrisitan Saint and a 4th century Bishop of Myra - nothing

 

[MarcATL]

Is the Santa Claus that's currently displayed to the world the Christian Saint from the 4th Century?

Wasn't that guy from what it today Turkey?

Isn't the current incarnation of Santa Clause a big fat jolly white guy that lives in the North Pole and flies around the world on Reindeers on a sled that delivers toys to children based on whether they are naughty or nice?

What part of Christianity is that?
[MENTION=44368]Chuckt[/MENTION], if you seriously are pushing that post you just posted, then you've just confirmed your kookiness. Are you suggesting that Santa Claus was foretold in Scripture?!?!? Say it ain't so.

 

[The Irish Ram]

It is Satan's way of diminishing his adversary. He is hoping we will replace our Redeemer with a less powerful alternative.

 

[MarcATL]

It is Satan's way of diminishing his adversary. He is hoping we will replace our Redeemer with a less powerful alternative.

So are you suggesting that TODAY's Santa Claus is a charlatan and has absolutely NOTHING to do with Christianity then.

Yes?

 

[Chuckt]

Is the Santa Claus that's currently displayed to the world the Christian Saint from the 4th Century?

Wasn't that guy from what it today Turkey?

Isn't the current incarnation of Santa Clause a big fat jolly white guy that lives in the North Pole and flies around the world on Reindeers on a sled that delivers toys to children based on whether they are naughty or nice?

What part of Christianity is that?
@Chuckt, if you seriously are pushing that post you just posted, then you've just confirmed your kookiness. Are you suggesting that Santa Claus was foretold in Scripture?!?!? Say it ain't so.

Marc,

Jesus' birthday is celebrated. How was it celebrated? The wise men came and gave gifts. What did Jesus bring? He brought the gift of salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Different people try to adorn or ornament the doctrine of God. How do they adorn the doctrine of God? By bringing along anything beautiful that resembles what they are adorning in scripture.

Titus 2:10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

St. Nicholas represents the Christian. I can use the title "saint" because we're all saints if we are Christian. This isn't a Catholic thing. This is a Christian thing because "to be" is not in the original Greek and everyone was called Saints (Romans 1:7, 1 Corinthians 1:2) because the words "to be" are in italics which represents it isn't in the Greek. St. Nicholas was a learner or follower of Christ in that he emulated Jesus by giving gifts so our part of discipleship is to copy others emulating Jesus Christ because each one know a little more than the other one.

Revelation 22:2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

The Christmas tree is symbolism for the tree of life and we adorn it by decorating it with ornaments. And we celebrate the gift giver by giving expressions of love through gifts.

What did God give for us to celebrate?

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

God gave us a gift of His son so that we could have a gift which is eternal life.

By emulating God, this Santa figure took on attributes of God even though Santa isn't real but it represents in a like figure of God who is real.

Chuck

 

[koshergrl]

Shouldn't we just have a "Let's Bash Christmas and Christians" forum for this crap?

 

[CrusaderFrank]

Shouldn't we just have a "Let's Bash Christmas and Christians" forum for this crap?

agreed


Have a "Nasty Libs Rail against Christmas" Forum

 

[koshergrl]

"
The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.
Under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith, was exiled and imprisoned. The prisons were so full of bishops, priests, and deacons, there was no room for the real criminals—murderers, thieves and robbers. After his release, Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea in AD 325. He died December 6, AD 343 in Myra and was buried in his cathedral church, where a unique relic, called manna, formed in his grave. This liquid substance, said to have healing powers, fostered the growth of devotion to Nicholas. The anniversary of his death became a day of celebration, St. Nicholas Day, December 6th (December 19 on the Julian Calendar)."

St. Nicholas Center ::: Who is St. Nicholas?

 

[MaryL]

Santa and Christianity are metaphors. Who can explain WHAT suicide bombers have to do with religion? Or drinking poisoned kool-aid has to do with religion?

 

[MaryL]

Santa is a hope that perhaps the world is a better place, that hope and love transcends the flesh. Like any religion, it's what we do. Some people abuse belief, for whatever reason, Crass commercialism to cynical political activism to mindless nihilism. All I meant.

 

[koshergrl]

Plus he was a really nice Greek dude who did a lot for the poor, and for children.

 

[MarcATL]

Is the Santa Claus that's currently displayed to the world the Christian Saint from the 4th Century?

Wasn't that guy from what it today Turkey?

Isn't the current incarnation of Santa Clause a big fat jolly white guy that lives in the North Pole and flies around the world on Reindeers on a sled that delivers toys to children based on whether they are naughty or nice?

What part of Christianity is that?
@Chuckt, if you seriously are pushing that post you just posted, then you've just confirmed your kookiness. Are you suggesting that Santa Claus was foretold in Scripture?!?!? Say it ain't so.

Marc,

Jesus' birthday is celebrated. How was it celebrated? The wise men came and gave gifts. What did Jesus bring? He brought the gift of salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Different people try to adorn or ornament the doctrine of God. How do they adorn the doctrine of God? By bringing along anything beautiful that resembles what they are adorning in scripture.

Titus 2:10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

St. Nicholas represents the Christian. I can use the title "saint" because we're all saints if we are Christian. This isn't a Catholic thing. This is a Christian thing because "to be" is not in the original Greek and everyone was called Saints (Romans 1:7, 1 Corinthians 1:2) because the words "to be" are in italics which represents it isn't in the Greek. St. Nicholas was a learner or follower of Christ in that he emulated Jesus by giving gifts so our part of discipleship is to copy others emulating Jesus Christ because each one know a little more than the other one.

Revelation 22:2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

The Christmas tree is symbolism for the tree of life and we adorn it by decorating it with ornaments. And we celebrate the gift giver by giving expressions of love through gifts.

What did God give for us to celebrate?

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

God gave us a gift of His son so that we could have a gift which is eternal life.

By emulating God, this Santa figure took on attributes of God even though Santa isn't real but it represents in a like figure of God who is real.

Chuck

Aside from the original three wisemen and others who brought gifts to the baby Jesus, can you cite any Scripture that shows a celebration of Jesus' birth?

Secondly, what about the original Pagan celebration of the sun during that time that The Church co-opted for political and social reasons? Were you even aware of that?

 

[koshergrl]

EVERYBODY is aware of it.

Cripes give it a rest.

 

[MarcATL]

Plus he was a really nice Greek dude who did a lot for the poor, and for children.

He was GREEK you say?

WoW.....sounds like you're condemning Megyn Kelly for being absolutely wrong for saying that Jesus and Santa were white.

 

[JakeStarkey]

Is the Santa Claus that's currently displayed to the world the Christian Saint from the 4th Century?

Wasn't that guy from what it today Turkey?

Isn't the current incarnation of Santa Clause a big fat jolly white guy that lives in the North Pole and flies around the world on Reindeers on a sled that delivers toys to children based on whether they are naughty or nice?

What part of Christianity is that?
@Chuckt, if you seriously are pushing that post you just posted, then you've just confirmed your kookiness. Are you suggesting that Santa Claus was foretold in Scripture?!?!? Say it ain't so.

Marc,

Jesus' birthday is celebrated. How was it celebrated? The wise men came and gave gifts. What did Jesus bring? He brought the gift of salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Different people try to adorn or ornament the doctrine of God. How do they adorn the doctrine of God? By bringing along anything beautiful that resembles what they are adorning in scripture.

Titus 2:10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

St. Nicholas represents the Christian. I can use the title "saint" because we're all saints if we are Christian. This isn't a Catholic thing. This is a Christian thing because "to be" is not in the original Greek and everyone was called Saints (Romans 1:7, 1 Corinthians 1:2) because the words "to be" are in italics which represents it isn't in the Greek. St. Nicholas was a learner or follower of Christ in that he emulated Jesus by giving gifts so our part of discipleship is to copy others emulating Jesus Christ because each one know a little more than the other one.

Revelation 22:2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

The Christmas tree is symbolism for the tree of life and we adorn it by decorating it with ornaments. And we celebrate the gift giver by giving expressions of love through gifts.

What did God give for us to celebrate?

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

God gave us a gift of His son so that we could have a gift which is eternal life.

By emulating God, this Santa figure took on attributes of God even though Santa isn't real but it represents in a like figure of God who is real.

Chuck

Aside from the original three wisemen and others who brought gifts to the baby Jesus, can you cite any Scripture that shows a celebration of Jesus' birth?

Secondly, what about the original Pagan celebration of the sun during that time that The Church co-opted for political and social reasons? Were you even aware of that?

One, historians accept the reality of the Christ's life.

Two, who cares if the Christians were smart enough to swipe pagan holidays and make them their own.

Lighten up, dude.

If you want to justify everything by scripture, that go be a Biblical literalist.

 

[mskafka]

Is Santa Claus a Christian symbol?

If so, please break it down for me by showing me how.

As it stands, I don't see how a mythical character is a symbol for Christianity.

In fact, I believe it distorts it, certainly if and/or when it's used as symbol for Christianity.

I look forward to your responses.

I've always used the same site to describe St. Nicholas, as Kosh did.
St. Nicholas Center ::: Who is St. Nicholas?

I didn't read about the "saving of the innocents", until I converted to Catholicism. It was a shocking story.

 

[mskafka]

I don't think that he's "bashing Christmas". He seems to have a sincere question. And Christians sometimes wonder why their evangelism, is rejected. People are going to have questions, and doubts. Just answer them without arrogance. It's that simple.

 

[koshergrl]

Plus he was a really nice Greek dude who did a lot for the poor, and for children.

He was GREEK you say?

WoW.....sounds like you're condemning Megyn Kelly for being absolutely wrong for saying that Megyn Kelly: Jesus and Santa were white.

Maybe you need to make a thread about that in media.

Yes, he was Greek.