HUM216A - Paper 3 -Santa and Christmas
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Colorado Christian University *
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Course
216A
Subject
Arts Humanities
Date
Apr 3, 2024
Type
docx
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4
Uploaded by EarlPowerCrane29
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Santa and Christmas
Carolyn Eubanks
The College of Adult & Graduate Studies, Colorado Christian University
Dr. Jill Johnson
December 10, 2023
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Today, many people have embraced the imaginary one, the Mighty Santa, and forsaken the faithful and Mighty Jesus Christ. B. D. Forbes said, “Both the religious and nonreligious public could embrace a Santa who brought joy to children and families, representing a spirit of giving and the nonjudgmental warmth of good feeling among all people” (Forbes, 2007, p. 96). So, what are Santa's merits and the detrimental effects on a truly Christian celebration of Christmas?
In our weekly reading, B. D. Forbes talks about Saint Nicholas (a.k.a. Santa, St. Nick) and some of the deeds or miracles he did. First, “Saint Nicholas inherited a large amount of money and used most of it to help people experiencing poverty. He gave freely to help meet the needs of the people around him. In the story of the three boys at the Inn, the innkeeper stole their money and killed them, and Saint Nicholas confronted the innkeeper and restored the boys to life. The story is of Saint Nicholas's trip by sea to Egypt and Palestine, and when the storm arose, Nicholas calmed the sea. When a sailor fell from the ship’s mast onto the deck and died, Nicholas restored him to life. When the sailor was flung into the water and drowned, Nicholas walked onto the water to retrieve the sailor, carried him to the boat, and brought him back to life”
(Forbes, 2007, p. 71). These miracles, tales, or incidents supposedly happened during his lifetime. Also, B. D. Forbes said, “One discernable pattern is Saint Nicholas’ (a.k.a. Santa, St. Nick) progressed through three significant roles: protector, disciplinarian, and gift giver” (Forbes, 2007, p. 94). The most dominating function today in the American Christmas holiday is what’s at the forefront of everyone’s mind: buying and gift-giving. However, Santa has become an icon in our modern culture, and his image is to sell everything from toys to sports cars and even sodas. Santa is commercialized with a twist of gift-giving.
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Santa is rooted in the honest Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, dating back to the 4
th
century, and from that, Santa had a beginning in a Christian past. This mythical Santa was founded by a man who believed in and honored Jesus Christ with his life and possessions. Saint Nicholas gave freely of his fortune to those less fortunate than him. This is a Christian principle as we care for the poor, proclaimed in the scripture in James 2: 1-17
during Christmas time. Thinking of the famous song “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town”
manipulates children to stop shouting, pouting, and crying to earn Santa Claus's favor and gifts. This is not a biblical attitude of raising our children in fear and admonition of our Lord, Jesus Christ. In conclusion, many Christian families have embraced Santa along with the nonreligious while keeping the focus on the birth of Jesus Christ to embrace generosity, giving, and kindness. But God's word in Exodus 20:3 says, “You shall have no other gods before me” (
Holy Bible, New
International Version, 2011). There is only one valid and living God, and his name is Jesus Christ.
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Reference(s)
Forbes, B. D. (2007). Christmas: A Candid History
. University of California Press.
Holy Bible, New International Version
, (2011), Zondervan. (Original work published 1973)