Is Santa Claus a counterfeit of Christ? Examine 20 characteristics of Santa Claus and Jesus Christ, and see how Christian parents help Satan successfully replace Jesus with his counterfeit.
Most know that on April 14, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. Ironically, earlier that very day President Lincoln had signed legislation that created the Secret Service, which protects our Presidents today. Why didn’t the Secret Service protect Abraham Lincoln during the assassination attack that evening? Of course, the Secret Service had just been created so there was no time to prepare, but it would not have mattered. The Secret Service was not originally formed to protect the President. Protecting the President was a task the Secret Service would take on much later.
The Secret Service was originally formed to combat counterfeit money. Approximately 1/3 (some say 1/2) of the money in circulation at that time was counterfeit.
The definition of counterfeit from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary is something made in imitation of something else with intent to deceive.
If a you receive a counterfeit, you are deceived into getting something of little or no value compared to what you should have received. It is a serious problem. In fact, some counterfeits can be downright dangerous, for example a counterfeit drug, or a counterfeit auto part. Counterfeits of all kinds are able to deceive because they APPEAR on the surface to have all the characteristics of the real thing. You must always keep on guard and examine everything closely for flaws that might indicate that the item is not genuine.
Counterfeits are everywhere! Counterfeits exist of expensive watches, tennis shoes, and precious gems. There are even counterfeits of God.
In the Old Testament of the Bible, there were many false, counterfeit Gods such as Baal, Molech, and Dagon. These gods were dangerous substitutes for the one, eternal, true God.
Are there any counterfeit Gods today? Can a counterfeit God be discovered operating today? A counterfeit of Jesus Christ, in fact?
Who is operating today with most of the same characteristics as God? What follows is an examination of 20 characteristics of Santa Claus. All references unless otherwise noted are from the King James Version of the Bible.
20 characteristics of Santa Claus compared to Jesus Christ
Let’s consider Santa’s PHYSICAL APPEARANCE. He looks the same wherever you go. Whether he appears in a Children’s TV show, a commercial, or in person at the mall, he always looks the same.
Let’s begin with the color of Santa’s hair.
- What color is Santa’s hair? From the poem “Twas the night before Christmas” by Clement Clark Moore, “His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, and the beard on his chin was as white as the snow.” Of course, every time we see Santa Claus, he always has white hair, and as in the poem, it is as white as snow.
Look at the description of Jesus Christ in Revelation 1:13-14 “And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow;”
Santa has white hair – Christ has white hair. - As we just saw in poem, Santa has a beard. Of course, any child could also tell you that.
Isaiah 50:6 I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.
Or in the Contemporary English Version, “I let them beat my back and pull out my beard.
Santa has a beard. Christ has a beard.
What is the color of Santa’s clothes?
- Santa wears the color RED. We can probably thank Coca-Cola advertising for the red color. Santa Claus has been prominently featured in Coca-Cola ads, particularly in early part of the last century.
Revelation 19:13 (Speaking of Christ) “And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.”
This is talking about the return of Christ, and of course, clothing dipped in blood would be red. Santa wears RED when he returns each year. Christ wears RED when he returns!
- What is Santa’s Occupation?
We’ve all grown up with images of Santa and his elves in his workshop at the North Pole. There, they were busy nailing together mostly wooden toys. Although things have become more modern these days with a trend toward more electronics, popular folklore shows Santa to be a carpenter by trade.
Mark 6:2 “And when the sabbath day was come, he (Jesus) began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, from whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?” Mark 6:3 “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.” (Offended as we find many people are today.)
Santa is a carpenter – Christ is a carpenter. - Santa has Helpers/Servants Actually elves that help him in his workshop. They obey his commands. They listen to whatever he says.
Psalms 103:20 Bless the LORD, you his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
Santa has elves for servants. In Druidic religion, elves known as demons. Of course, we know demons as fallen angels. Could it be that Santa has angels for helpers, fallen angels to be exact? If so, both Santa and Christ both have angels to listen to and serve them. At very least, they have servants.
- Santa is Omnipotent – All powerful. He can do anything–make any toy, or grant any wish. In their letters to Santa, children ask Santa to heal family members and to help parents find jobs when they are unemployed. It’s not JUST about toys. They believe Santa can do ANYTHING
Revelation 19:6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigns.
Santa is omnipotent. Christ is omnipotent. - Santa is omnipresent. He is everywhere at same time. He is at all malls simultaneously. Santa must visit all the children in the whole world at once. Santa is everywhere.
Psalms 139:7 Whither shall I go from your spirit? or where shall I flee from your presence?
Psalms 139:8 If I ascend up into heaven, you are there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, you are there.
Psalms 139:9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
Psalms 139:10 Even there shall your hand lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.
God is everywhere – wherever we are, He is there also.
Santa is Omnipresent. God is Omnipresent.
- Santa is Omniscient. He knows all things. Children can’t keep any secrets from Santa. He knows if they have been bad or good. Parents tell their children that Santa knows EVERYTHING. It is no use trying to hide anything from him. There is a popular Xmas song that will confirm this.
1 John 3:20 For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.
Santa is Omniscient. God is Omniscient. - Santa judges. Parents tell their children that if they are “good” Santa will reward them. If they are bad, they may not get any toys, because Santa Judges.
2 Timothy 4:1 I charge you therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
Santa judges. Christ judges. - Santa is Ageless, or eternal. Santa never ages. He is the same now as he was 50 years ago. (Ask me how I know.) He never ages, he never changes.
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today, and forever.
Santa is ageless. He never changes. We see in Hebrews, Christ never changes.
- Santa is a Giver of Gifts. This is what makes Santa so popular. He brings gifts, and puts them under a tree. People like to GET things–especially children!
Referring to Christ:
Ephesians 4:8 When HE (Christ) ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
Santa gives gifts. God gives gifts. Of Course, who can compare the gifts of toys and trinkets to the gift of eternal life? Which is better? Toys you will quickly discard and forget about, or eternal life. Now there is a REAL gift! But that’s what happens when we accept a counterfeit instead of the real thing, Jesus Christ. We don’t get the REAL GIFTS!
Matthew 7:11 (This scripture speaks of gifts) If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
As we saw, our heavenly Father is capable of much GREATER gifts than we (or Santa) have to give. The problem is, children aren’t asking their heavenly father. They are taught to ask Santa.
- Santa Loves Children. Santa’s primary interest is children. In fact, he shows up at malls and other places and just waits for the children to show up! He loves touch them and have them sit in lap, and indeed the parents DO bring their young children to him. If you’ve even been in a mall around XMAS time, undoubtedly, you’ve witnessed this.
Mark 10:13 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.
Mark 10:14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, suffer the little children to come to me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
Santa wants us to bring our children to him Christ wants us to bring our children to him
- What does Santa sit on when children approach him at the mall? If you have ever been to a mall when Santa was there, you know. Santa Sits on a THRONE.
Hebrews 1:8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom.
Santa Sits on throne. We see in Hebrews that Christ Sits on the throne. - Santa has a list of people and their deeds. Most of us have heard that Santa keeps a list of people and their deeds. He is said to check it twice.
Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works
Santa has list people and deeds, so does God.
On Christmas Eve, Children are typically sent to bed early. They aren’t allowed to stay up late. They know Santa is coming but they don’t know exactly when. Does Santa Claus knock on door and ask permission to enter? No, he sneaks down the chimney in the middle of the night and gains entry as a thief would.
- Santa Comes as a thief in the night. Speaking of Christ’s second coming:
Rev 3:3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
Santa Comes as a thief, the hour unknown. Christ Comes as a thief, the hour unknown. - How does Santa get around? If you say he rides in a sleigh pulled by reindeer, you would be right, at least in the United States you’d be right. Sometimes mythical figures, including false gods, tend change slightly based on culture. Much of our “modern day” Santa Claus actually comes from character Sinter Klaas. Sinter Klaas originated with the Dutch. In the Netherlands, people still hold huge celebrations centered around Santa’s annual return at Xmas time. You can actually watch this online every year. It is quite a spectacle. And when Santa returns, he is ALWAYS seen riding a white horse. Santa returns riding a white horse. In fact, you may see figurines of Santa on a white horse. This custom is where that comes from.
Rev 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
According to Revelation 19, Christ will return on a White Horse. In the Netherlands at least, Santa returns each year riding a White Horse. - What does Santa always say? Ho, Ho, Ho! I bet you are wondering where in the Bible did I find “Ho, Ho, Ho?” I didn’t. I did find, “Ho, Ho!”
Zechariah 2:6 Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, says the LORD: for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the LORD.
The word “Ho” in Strong’s Dictionary is H1945 which means “oh!” “alas,” or “woe.” If Santa’s “Ho, Ho, Ho” is really “Woe, Woe, Woe” according Rev 8:13, that may not be a good thing. - Santa has been known by other names. I mentioned Sinter Klaus earlier. He is also known as Kris Kringle. You may have heard him called Kris Kringle before. The FreeDictionary.com definition for Kris Kringle is “Chiefly another name for Santa Claus, changed from German Christkindl translated means “little Christ child.” Kris Kringle MEANS “Christ Child!” At Xmas time, when everyone claims to be celebrating the birth of Christ, the name they often use for Santa, Kris Kringle actually refers to Santa Claus as being “their Christ Child.”
Are all these similar characteristics JUST a coincidence? Or might we be looking an excellent counterfeit of Jesus Christ. A counterfeit designed to take the attention away from our Savior and focus it elsewhere. Has Satan been successful in creating a counterfeit of God that shifts attention away from the one TRUE God?
If asked why they celebrate Christmas, most people will tell you that Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. That isn’t actually true. XMAS is NOT the birthday of Christ but that is what most believe and teach. However, if people claim to be celebrating the birth of Christ at Xmas time, just ask any of their children who Xmas is all about. Who do children REALLY want to see? Will they say Jesus? No, of course not! They will invariably say Santa Claus.
After what we’ve seen today, I think you will have to admit, Santa Claus is a very effective counterfeit. However, remember that, by definition, all counterfeits have flaws that can be detected upon careful scrutiny. For example, let’s look characteristics 19 and 20.
- Santa is also Known as St Nick. I am sure you have heard Santa called OLD SAINT NICK! According to Webster’s 1913 Dictionary the definition of St Nick is: “An evil spirit of the waters. Old Nick – the evil one; the devil.” That certainly is NOT a characteristic of Christ.
- Both Santa Claus and Christ return wearing something on their head. Let’s look at Christ first this time.
Rev 14:14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.
Christ returns wearing a golden crown.
When Santa returns each year, he wears something on his head too. But it’s NOT a golden crown. Do you know what it is called? I am sure you know what I am talking about. It’s a Conical cap with a little ball on the top. This headwear is called a Phrygian cap. Oddly enough, (or maybe it shouldn’t seem so odd by now) this is same exact headgear worn by Mithra. Mithra is an Iranian Sun God, a known counterfeit God. Mithra can always be seen wearing his Phrygian Cap as he is depicted in various statues, drawings, and paintings that are commonly found in archeology.
There is SO much more about Santa Claus and the whole phenomenon of Christmas (for that matter) that you really need to know. Is Santa Claus a perfect replica of Christ? No, like all counterfeits, he has imperfections that can be detected, but as counterfeits go, this is a good one.
When do parents introduce their children to Santa? Practically as soon as they are born. The children are placed in Santa’s lap before they can even talk. Can you imagine what it might be like if parents actually taught their young children about Christ with the same zeal that they teach them about Santa Claus? But, sadly, most don’t.
If a child needs something beyond their means, do their parents instruct them to pray to God? No, they teach them to pray to Santa. Some might say they making a wish to Santa. But wishing for something and praying for something are the same thing. Both are a request for someone more powerful than ourselves to grant us something. As a result, we find that children write letters, send emails, and, of course even pray to Santa Claus. They do ask mostly for toys but sometimes ask Santa to heal a friend or family member. Make no mistake, Santa Claus is their God. Just try taking him away from them and see what happens!
The brilliant part of Satan’s plan is that he has deceived the “Christian” parents into pulling off this great deception for him. Parents primarily use gifts to bribe their children into worshipping Santa. Where have we heard that tactic before?
Mat 4:8 Again, the devil took him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
Mat 4:9And said to him, all these things will I give you, if you will fall down and worship me.
Satan was going to give Christ some pretty good gifts in exchange for his worship. Did Christ fall for it?
Mat 4:10 Then said Jesus to him, get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, you shall worship the Lord thy God, and him only shall you serve.
I was having therapy a few years ago to fix my right knee. One of the therapists asked me if I believed in Santa Claus. You can imagine how that went! But I asked the therapist if she believed in Santa Claus. Remember, this wasn’t exactly a child. I am guessing this therapist was somewhere in her 30s. What did she say? She said that her grandmother gave her presents each year at Christmas Time, as long as she said she believed in Santa Claus. Therefore, she always said she did.
Christian parents (and apparently even grandparents) give gifts to their children to bribe them into acknowledging Santa Claus in a way similar to how Satan tried to bribe Christ into worshipping him.
I sometimes ask parents why they go through all the expense and all the trouble to buy and hide presents so they can appear to come from a fictitious Santa Claus. Why DO they work so hard to make Santa look SO GOOD? Their answer, almost universally, “It’s for the children.” And –do you know something — Satan Agrees!