The Cultural Battle Between Jesus and Santa (Small Group Study)
Jesus Vs. Santa (Merry Christmas Vs. Happy Holidays)
This week, we’re talking about the annual Christmas battle between Jesus and Santa. Within this battle, the debate over festive greetings also wages. Should we stand firm in proclaiming “Merry Christmas” no matter what? Is it acceptable for a Christian to say “Happy Holidays” or “Seasons Greetings?” Every Christmas…this is a thing!
What’s really important? Where do values and convictions end, and love and friendship begin? What’s the eternal perspective? How do we share our faith as Believers without offending others? Let’s boil this down to a couple of key thoughts or questions.
- Can we promote Jesus without ruining the family traditions and childhood memories?
- What about those who have not grown up with a true Christian faith?
Small Group Introduction
Christmas is around the corner and we’re already experiencing the first round of the annual scrap between Jesus and Santa. Sometimes I wonder whether or not this annual throw-down is more about us needing the drama.
Truth be told, as a Christian, sometimes I’m embarrassed. I feel like everywhere I go, one of my brothers or sisters in Christ is giving people the third degree on why Santa is evil or why they shouldn’t be saying Seasons Greetings or Happy Holidays.
Let’s pause for a moment. Let’s look at this logically. I’m speaking directly to those who have chosen to follow Jesus and are currently trying to follow His teachings. Let’s think about this scenario carefully, considering everything we’ve learned about who Jesus was and is.
Can we picture Him giving that check-out attendant at Walmart a piece of His mind because she accidentally said Happy Holidays?
We so easily jumped to conclusions. Perhaps, her employer has asked her to greet people in that specific way? Perhaps, it’s a higher directive, as a company policy for that chain of stores? We don’t know the reasons why she chose that greeting, but does that even matter?
Would Jesus accost the check-out attendant?
Maybe it’s just me, but I think Jesus would be far too concerned with the person’s well-being, and more importantly, her eternity, to even acknowledge how she greeted Him.
I’m not saying it’s wrong to reply with a hardy Merry Christmas if that’s what you’re convicted to do. I can’t refute the potential that the attendant may ponder the initial greeting. On the other hand, the attendant likely won’t give it a second thought.
A deeper conversation is way more important than a greeting. The attendant may have no idea about the connection between Jesus and Christmas. Maybe she doesn’t even know the connection between Jesus and Christ.
Video Clip:
Check out the following video titled “Jesus And Santa” by IgniterMedia.com.
What if we changed our approach?
We’d be far better off bringing the attendant a pastry from the bakery counter, to save for their next break (from the Christmas chaos). Even better, inside the bag, maybe leave a card or note, explaining a bit about the true Christmas story.
Even better still, leave her a tip; some cash to help the attendant truly have a Merry Christmas. At that moment, go ahead, bodily say ‘Merry Christmas‘ when you hand the gift to the attendant. I guarantee you’ll see far greater results in battling Santa Claus and his dreaded ‘Happy Holidays‘!
Now consider if every Christian who stated Merry Christmas was kind and generous. A connection would be established in the attendant’s mind that will stick with them far more than battling over the type of greeting they used.
Small Group Discussion:
- What initial thoughts come to mind after seeing this video clip?
- How does your family incorporate Jesus and/or Santa Claus as part of your Christmas traditions?
- What do you think Jesus thinks of Santa Claus?
- How can we best tell others about the true meaning of Christmas without disregarding their family traditions?
- As a group, try to recite/recount the true Christmas story as if someone had never heard it before.
- Look up Luke 2:1-20. How did you do? Did you forget any details?
Join the Conversation; Share Your Thoughts
- What’s your opinion on the cultural battle between Jesus and Santa?
- How do you greet people during the Christmas season? Why that greeting?
- How should a Christian respond when greeted with Happy Holidays?
Merry Christmas!
Hey Jeremy…
From the very get-go of having children, we made it clear that we give presents to celebrate Jesus and symbolically similar to the wise men brought gifts to Jesus….Santa Claus wasn’t a very big part of Christmas. When Whit was little, like 4-ish? I think, we told her the truth about Santa. We told her it was part of a “game” at Christmas and she could still help us pretend for Joel, then we told him at the same age with the same instructions to play along with the twins. However, when we decided it was time to tell Alex & Zac, Zac burst into tears. I didn’t think he was really that invested in the whole Santa bit, so we asked him why he was so upset. His reply was, “If you lied to me about Santa and he gives us things and we can’t see him, then did you lie about God too, because I can’t see Him either and He gives us things.” Shattered my heart and made me wish we’d never done the whole Santa thing.
All of that aside, I agree with your post here and that as Christians we can do more actions to show our faith. I’ve decided to make that a very large part of this Christmas with the kids. I’ve planned out random acts of Christian kindness to do every few days while the kids are on break. 🙂
We completely agree with all said so far. Liane and I made it clear to our children than Santa is a character of the Christmas season and that he IS NOT real, kinda like the Great Pumpkin from Charlie Brown. We did not want the disillusionment in us nor the people that we believe in but cannot see.
There is many other similarities that we usualy don’t come accros ie; ‘he knows when you’re sleeping and he knows when you’re awake’……vs “He knows my going out and my lying down”
If we don’t get the automatic ‘liar’ accusation, then the seed of doubt is still planted. We do not need any help in the doubt dept.
Wow! Great feedback on this post! Big thanks to Kristie and Robert for taking the time to write out some of your thoughts, opinions and family traditions/values. It’s encouraging for me to read where other families are basing their faith teachings surrounding the Christmas season. Thanks so much for your comments!
Jeremy