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CHRISTMAS

On Christmas Eve, I decided to watch the Rankin/Bass claymation Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town, a production made in 1970. As I watched, I found myself both intrigued and unsettled by how it blended biblical truths with fictional storytelling. For instance, while the Bible makes no mention of Santa Claus, this production weaves references to our Savior, Jesus Christ—though without mentioning Him by name—into the narrative.

I couldn’t help but reflect on how confusing this might be for children who are unfamiliar with, or whose understanding of, Jesus is not accurately formed. If they’re exposed to this kind of storytelling, it could blur the lines between biblical truth and fictional myth. Then I thought further: what about adults who watch this? Could it also lead to confusion for them, influencing their perception of faith and the true meaning of Christmas?

As Christians, we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior on the 25th of December. We adorn our buildings with decorations, put up trees, and exchange presents. But does the Bible command us to do these things? No, it does not. While it’s not wrong to celebrate Christ's birth in this way, what often gets lost is the deeper truth behind the celebration.

The spirit of giving—central to the meaning of Christmas—should extend beyond a single day or the act of exchanging gifts. True giving comes from the heart and can be part of our daily lives. For instance, when out for a walk, you could bring a plastic bag and a glove to pick up trash.  Consider donating $20 to your neighborhood school’s PTA/PTO to support local education. Or, as an employer, you might choose to pay your workers for a 40-hour week while only requiring 36 hours of work, giving them the gift of time with their families.

These simple acts of kindness reflect the true spirit of giving—selfless, thoughtful, and rooted in love, which is the core tenet of Christianity.

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