By Andrew V. Ste. Marie
I ask that you forgive me for my bold title. I know there is a natural temptation for some to laugh over such a bold title, and for others to take offense. But it is neither with levity nor with a desire to offend that I write this article. With a great burden for those who are partaking in the sin of telling their children lies about Santa Claus, I write this as a bold warning, yet in a spirit of love.
Santa Claus is a lie. No parent can deny this fact. It does not need demonstration, elaboration, or discussion. It is a plain fact. Santa Claus does not exist. He is a lie.
What does the Bible say about liars?
“These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren” (Proverbs 6:16-19). (Notice that lying is put in the same category with murder!)
“He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit. The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellers of peace is joy” (Proverbs 12:17, 19-20).
“Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight” (Proverbs 12:22).
“A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies” (Proverbs 14:25).
“A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit” (Proverbs 15:4).
“Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince” (Proverbs 17:7). (Has not Christ made us “kings and priests unto God and his Father” [Revelation 1:6]? If lying lips are not becoming to a prince, how much less a king and priest?)
“A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape” (Proverbs 19:5).
“A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish” (Proverbs 19:9).
“The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar” (Proverbs 19:22). (Would you like to be dirt-poor? According to Solomon, it would be better for you to be dirt-poor than to tell your children lies about Santa! Why? Because “he that speaketh lies shall perish” [Proverbs 19:9]!)
“Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles” (Proverbs 21:23).
“A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin” (Proverbs 26:28).
“They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy” (Jonah 2:8).
“Provide things honest in the sight of all men” (Romans 12:17b).
“[Charity]…rejoiceth in the truth” (I Corinthians 13:6b).
“Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates” (II Corinthians 13:7).
“And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another” (Ephesians 4:23-25).
“For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth; ) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord” (Ephesians 5:8-10).
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (II Timothy 4:3-4).
“I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth” (IJohn 2:21).
“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8).
“And there shall in no wise enter into it [the heavenly Jerusalem] any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Revelation 21:27).
“For without [the city] are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie” (Revelation 22:15).
Please do not think I am yelling. I want to make very clear the word of God in this matter. Telling your children about some jolly man who slides down the chimney and leaves presents for them may seem like innocent fun to you, but what does God think about it? The Bible says “no lie is of the truth” (IJohn 2:21)!
What should the people of God tell their children about Santa Claus? Tell them the truth: Jesus Christ is real – Santa Claus is not!
“For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty” (II Peter 1:16).
Originally published in The Witness December 2010.