Santa, a Holiday Character of Darkness
The Sapphire Review Vol. 1 | No. 32 • December 27, 2024
Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
Ephesians 5:10–11, KJV
SHADOWS OF DARKNESS
The things that are well pleasing to God,1 the Father of Lights,2 are not found in darkness, nor in the shadows formed around areas where light has been blocked from shining.
Some people are fully engrossed in darkness, rejecting all elements of truth, and having no professed love for God neither for the things of God. They are irreligious and desire only to live for the world, and to satisfy the carnal and selfish lusts of their flesh. Yet darkness is not limited to only this arena.
Others walk in the light of certain truths, yet erect monuments of tradition in their hearts.3 These traditions stand in the face of Biblical truths and godly principles, serving only to cast dark shadows across hearts that God desires to be fully illuminated with the light of His Word and His truths.4
Can a God that is fully light be well pleased with anything that has a mixture of darkness?5
“This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:” (1 John 1:5–6, KJV)
HOLIDAY TRADITIONS
Today, and most especially around this time of year, we have Christians holding up dark shadows of pagan tradition while professing that these things are innocent and good. Some do this in ignorance while others do it in defiance. When such things are embraced, danger awaits of being named amongst those who honor God with their lips, but have hearts that are far from Him.6
Consider the tooth fairy and the two most popular mythical holiday characters: Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. Year after year, parents lie to their children7 about these characters and justify it as being harmless and fun.
“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; That put darkness for light, and light for darkness; That put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20, KJV)
When do these characters come out to bestow their gifts upon the children of the world? It is while they are sleeping, and the illumination of the sun has faded away. These characters walk in darkness, not in the light, lest their deeds be seen for what they are.
“For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.” (John 3:20, KJV)
If the deeds of these fantastical beings were wrought of God, they would be brought forth in the light and glory would be given to the only true God8 who is above all.
“But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” (John 3:21, KJV)
Light Bearers
There are those who reprove these manmade traditions of error by holding up the Word of God as their standard of living and reason for not learning the ways and traditions of unbelievers, such as the building of a Christmas tree.9 Those who make their stand against holidays that are rooted in paganism and imbued with mythical creatures are often reviled, mocked, and accused of being stealers of joy.10
“Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, And be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; For the heathen are dismayed at them.” (Jeremiah 10:2, KJV)
Jesus said to let the children come to Him.11
Rather than teaching children to revere the Son of God, the true Light of the world,12 and to look expectantly for His return,13 they are instructed to look excitedly to those whose works are manifested in the dark of night.
A Work of Satan
Such stratagem is the work of Satan across centuries of moral decay and spiritual lethargy. Shrouded behind Satan’s cunning, we see children being raised to take pleasure in that which is worked in darkness while rejecting that which stands for light and truth.14
Though mostly through ignorance, children are nonetheless being raised to covet and to break the commandments of God.15 They are being taught to love that which is false rather than that which is true, thus setting them up to be amongst the damnation of those who take pleasure in unrighteousness.
“That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” (2 Thessalonians 2:12, KJV 1900)
When children discover that these characters are not real, they are then more easily manipulated to doubt the existence and character of the loving God in heaven, as well as the significance of keeping His commandments. They question the living God, whom they also cannot see, and consider that He too is no more real than the fanciful creatures that they were raised, through deceit, to believe in and trust.
SANTA CLAUS
Santa Claus is an absolute mockery of Christ, and yet is cherished by children in households all around the world where the name of Jesus is professed to be honored and glorified. As with Satan, Santa’s darkness is hidden behind a façade of light.16
This so called bearer of joy carries divine attributes. He is omniscient in that he knows all the details of the actions of every child in the world. He is omnipresent in his ability to traverse the entire world in a single night, dropping gifts under the trees of expectant children. He is all powerful in his ability to manufacture such gifts to be placed under these trees. He commands the worship and prayers of his followers as children seek to please him and to entreat him, with earnest zeal, that they may be recipients of good gifts from him.
Satan’s boast is seen through this mythical man, which captivates the minds of children:
“I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” (Isaiah 14:14, KJV 1900)
Such children are robbed from learning at an early age that every good and perfect gift comes only from their Father who is in heaven.
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17, KJV)
Odin
Far from being an innocent and modern day character of fun and entertainment for children, Santa Claus has his roots with Odin, a pagan god in Norse mythology, who rode upon a white horse with eight legs, contrasted with Santa’s chariot pulled by eight reindeer.
Robin Goodfellow
Santa’s trademark “ho, ho, ho” comes from the laugh of a devilish character named Robin Goodfellow in a 1600s fable.
Nature and Purpose
Eternal - Santa is presented as an eternal being. Jesus is the life17 and the giver of eternal life.18
Knowledge - Santa knows all things about everyone’s behaviors. Jesus knows all things.19
Book - Santa writes the names of good and bad children in a book. Jesus has authority over the names in the book of life.20
Darkness/Light - Santa walks in darkness. Jesus walks in the light, for He is light.21
Entry - Santa climbs into homes through chimneys, not the door.22 Jesus stands at the door of hearts and knocks.23
Food - Santa consume cookies and milk from the homes which he visits to satisfy his own gluttonous appetite. Jesus is the bread of life,24 which He gives of Himself along with the living water of His spirit25 to bless and sanctify all those who come to Him.
Gifts - Santa seeks to give us everything that our carnal flesh desires. Jesus seeks to give us that which we need,26 and helps us bear spiritual fruit unto the glory of God the Father.27
Santa stands as a standard bearer of law-breaking, covetousness, and self-indulgence, while Jesus Christ stands as the example of law-keeping,28 humility,29 and self-denial.30
CONCLUSION
Much more could be written about Santa Claus, Christmas, and other holidays along with their mythical creatures. The information regarding the pagan roots and dark practices of these things is very easily found for those who have a love for the truth.
This article simply serves as a point of reference which shines a light on an area where the traditions of men have been held up to a standard above the Word of God.31
God is calling His people to come out of Babylon and abandon all of her false doctrines, pagan practices, and unbiblical traditions.
“And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, That ye be not partakers of her sins, And that ye receive not of her plagues.” (Revelation 18:4, KJV)
If we are to be children of the day,32 and lights in the world around us,33 let us not partake in any works of darkness, nor make excuses to justify doing things which give honor to the enemy of souls rather than Him who is worthy of all praise, honor, and glory.34
God Bless,
Charles
Satan and Santa one in the same. Goes great with Chris's message this season with "To Obey is Better Than Christmas he posted on youtube. God bless you Brother Charles for sharing and pray people will be willing to lay down their sentimentalism for the truth.
My son loved and understood your message very well! Thank you so much for writing this up for us! God bless you!🙏🏻