Santa and the Church

So I grew up, just like any American kid, loving the sights and sounds of Christmas. From the time I was a little boy, my parents would take my brother and I to the big department store in downtown Grand Rapids to visit Santa. There we would sit on his lap, tell him all the great toys we would like to have magically appear under the tree. It was part of being a kid...part of growing up. These are some of my fondest memories.

Now that I am 49, I will look forward to my kids getting married and having their own children. And I will, with great delight, enjoy bringing them down to the big department store to visit Santa and get their pictures taken, where I will proudly display them in my home.

I am so glad my parents allowed me to enjoy these times as a kid. Yet there never was a Christmas that they didn't bring us "back to center" and remind us the true meaning of Christmas.....that Christ came as a baby in Bethlehem to rescue us from sin and eternal separation from Him by his death and sacrifice on the cross.

Forward fast to 2009. So I am walking down the hall of our Evangelical, Bible-believing church where the pastors' offices reside. Each door is decorated (some to the hilt) for Christmas. Some are traditional; another is decorated with pictures of family, children, and grandchildren. Yet another is donned with blinking lights and garland. I guess this is all part of some big "decorate your door" contest.

To my complete surprise (and shock) is one door that is completely decked out with images of Santa and his reindeer. What the heck is that doing on a Pastor's door? Not only that, but I find out that this is the one that actually "won" the decorate-your-door contest.

Now don't get me wrong. I am not anti-Santa or some modern-day Scrooge trying to stuff a lump of coal on top of someone's Christmas celebration. But one place I hope that I can escape from Santa during this holy season is my church.

It was less than two weeks ago when our pastor encouraged us to focus on Christ during the Christmas season -- to get away from all the distractions and remember what we celebrate. He challenged us to spend time reading the Christmas story during Advent -- something that more of us (including I) should do.

What message are we sending to those who walk down that hall during this blessed season when they see Santa and his reindeer splashed all over the door?

Take your kids and grandchildren to see Santa. Get your picture taken with him. Post the pictures proudly on your refrigerator and book shelves. But please, please, keep Santa out of the halls of our churches this Christmas. He has no place there.