Editor’s Note: Dr. Roger Barrier went to be with the Lord on February 16, 2024. Dr. Barrier’s family will honor his legacy by continuing the ministry of Ask Roger and Processitteachit.org for years to come, sharing over 2,000 unpublished sermons and Ask Roger articles. All papers written, published and republished by Dr. Barrier have been posthumous.
Dear Roger,
My kids ask all kinds of questions about Santa, including whether he’s a Christian. They’re old enough to understand that Santa isn’t real, but I think they wish all the stories were true. Can you help me answer this difficult question?
thank you!
sarah
Hi Sarah, great question! I love getting a glimpse into the minds of children. Children look at the world with great openness and curiosity. My wife Julie and I prepared a little about the history of Santa Claus and some Biblical truths to pass on to our children.
First of all, is Santa a Christian?
yes! The story of Santa Claus has existed since ancient times and is based on the life of St. Nicholas of Myra. He was born near Anatolia, Turkey, and served as a bishop (or pastor, for you Protestants) of the church in the 4th century. Nicholas was born to Christian parents, who left him an inheritance when they died. He became famous for donating all his wealth to the poor. Historical documents reveal that he loved Jesus from an early age and devoted his life to benevolent and generous giving.
St. Nicholas was famous for giving gifts anonymously, throwing bags of money into people’s homes (sometimes down their chimneys) under the cover of night to avoid being seen.
Legend has it that he gave his first gift to a family of three daughters. They were to be sold as slaves (actually prostitution, but don’t tell the kids!). Nicholas was heartbroken to see the plight of these innocent girls and paid off the family’s debts, providing funds to help them live a better life. The Catholic Church recognized Nicholas as a saint, patron of sailors, merchants, archers, children, pharmacists, lawyers, pawnbrokers, and prisoners. St. Nick loved them all.
We know that Nicholas died on December 6, around 340 or 350 AD. The day of his death became an annual festival, with children serving food for Nicholas and straw for the donkey. Catholics often taught that St. Nicholas would come down from heaven at night and replace offerings with toys and treats, but only for good boys and girls.
Santa has many different names around the world. The famous German pastor Martin Luther introduced Christkindl. Christkindl means “Son of Christ” and originally referred to the infant Jesus. Eventually, a story was born about Christkind, or Kris Kringle, handing out presents to well-behaved Swiss and German children. Christkind, the “Son of Christ,” then became known as the angelic figure who accompanied St. Nicholas on his holiday missions. In Scandinavia, a cheerful elf named Jurtomten delivers gifts in a goat-drawn sleigh. According to British legend, Father Christmas visits homes on Christmas Eve and fills children’s stockings with Christmas treats. Père Noel is in charge of stuffing the shoes of children in France.
Most boys and girls around the world are named after Santa. So what can we learn from his story?
Santa loved children.
Every “Santa” story features a man who gave generously to little children. His attitude towards children always reminds me of Jesus’ love for children. My favorite Bible passage about Jesus and children is Luke 18:15-17.
People also brought babies to have Jesus lay hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children and said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not disturb them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” NIV
Second, Christmas is about giving, not getting.
Jesus taught in Luke 6:38, “Lay down your life. Life is not only given, but given with bonuses and blessings. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.” (MSG)
Children, and even adults, tend to focus only on what we receive. But our tradition of giving at Christmas time can be a way to honor Jesus. When we give, we show love to others. You may also choose to involve your children in activities that revolve around giving, such as providing toys to children in need, making a special Christmas offering to your church, or volunteering together.
In the end, the greatest gift we can receive is Jesus.
John 3:16 is one of the most beloved verses in the Bible, which teaches us, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Our children need to know that Christmas is about Christ, not just His birth, but the purpose for which He came into this world. He came to give his life for you and me. And if we accept and believe in God’s gift, we can have eternity with God.
You can tell your kids about Santa, but make sure the story is clear. Saint Nicholas loved Jesus. Teach your children to love Jesus too.
love,
roger and julie
Photo by Alicia Slough/Unsplash
Dr. Julie Barrier has taught conferences on marriage and ministry in 35 countries with her pastor husband, Dr. Roger Barrier. The Barriers are the founders and directors of Preach It, Teach It, which provides free resources in 10 languages to 5 million visitors in 229 countries and territories. Barriers served as pastor at Casas Church in Arizona for 35 years, and Julie has served as a worship pastor, concert artist, and adjunct professor at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary. She has written or composed over 500 published works.
Dr. Roger Barrier retired as senior teaching pastor at Casas Church in Tucson, Arizona. In addition to being a popular author and conference speaker, Roger has coached or mentored thousands of pastors, missionaries, and Christian leaders around the world. Casas Church, where Roger served throughout his 35-year career, is a megachurch known for its well-integrated, multigenerational ministry. The value of embracing new generations is deeply ingrained throughout Casas so that the Church can move forward strongly into the 21st century and beyond. Dr. Barrier holds degrees in Greek, Religion, Theology, and Pastoral Care from Baylor University, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Golden Gate Theological Seminary. His popular book Hearing God’s Voice (published by Bethany House) is in its second printing and is also available in Thai and Portuguese. The latest work is “Gut Guts?” Be like a god! Pray a prayer that God will answer, from Xulon Press. Roger can be found blogging at Preach It, Teach It, a pastoral education site he founded with his wife, Dr. Julie Barrier.
This Ask Roger article may feature insights from Roger’s wife Dr. Julie Barrier, co-founder of Preach It, Teach It, worship pastor, concert artist, and adjunct professor at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, or his daughter Bree Barrier Weatherbee, a popular Bible teacher, conference speaker, author, analyst, and Christian theologian.
