The anti-gospel (Santa, Part 3 of 4)

"He's making a list, And checking it twice; Gonna find out Who's naughty and nice; Santa Claus is coming to town"

This is the climax. If I could name the biggest issue I have with Santa, this would be it: Santa communicates an idea that is the complete opposite of the gospel...so opposite that it is an attack on the true gospel.  But know that this isn't something that just Santa communicates, this is something our culture is saturated with.

Here is the Readers Digest version of the gospel: All of us have sinned and fallen short of what God commands.  The penalty for our rebellion in death and separation from God.  It is too late for us.  There is nothing we can do or work up that can get us back into right standing with God.  Our only hope is that God himself pays the penalty.  Since the sin was against God, someone equal to God must pay it.  Since the sin was committed by man, a man must pay it.  Thus, Jesus Christ is our only hope: fully God and fully man.  He paid our penalty because he is gracious and merciful, not because of anything we have done.  And to receive this gift, all we have to do is believe in the person and work of Jesus.  Nothing will earn the salvation he gives.     

So here is the gospel and Santa contrasted:
Santa's gifts are given to the good kids.  Christ's gifts are given to the bad ones (which is all of us).
Santa's gifts are based on works.  Christ's are based on faith.
Santa tells us we can do it on our own.  Christ tells us we can't...but he already has.  
Santa weighs the good vs. bad.  God looks at the good: Jesus
Santa is all about "stuff."  Christ is all about relationship.
Santa cares about your actions.  Christ cares about your heart. 
Santa makes us feel entitled (we earned it).  Christ makes us feel grateful (we don't deserve it).
Santa makes Christmas about gifts.  God makes Christmas about the giver.   


Karma is everywhere, and this is no exception.  It is the idea that if we are good we should get good, and if we are bad we get bad.  But how do you explain the fact that thousands of "good" people die each day unexpectedly.  Karma is the idea that if my good outweighs the bad then I can get to heaven.  But if you commit a crime it doesn't matter how many time you served in the soup kitchen or how much money you gave to charity.  The jury is looking at the crime you committed.  We have committed a crime against God and that penalty must be paid. 

Please, if nothing else, protect the gospel this Christmas season.  Teach of God's grace.  Teach of how everything we have been given...everything...is a gift from God.  Teach of how we fall short of what God commands, and how we need a Savior.  Teach that we cannot do good apart from Jesus.  That we can't earn our way to heaven.  Teach that Jesus is enough.  Teach the gospel in all you do, and let nothing get in the way of this precious gift we have been given!