On the surface, God and Santa have a lot in common. They each have their own version of naughty and nice lists, and they judge your every move to decide which you belong on. In fact, the Santa of popular music is as all-knowing and omnipresent as the God of the Bible.
He knows when you’ve been sleeping. He knows when you’re awake. He knows when you mouth off to your father and are scrolling on your phone in your lap instead of paying attention to your biology teacher.
Yikes.
So what is the difference between God and Santa, aside from the fact that one is real and one is a fantasy? Is God just a big grandfather-figure, looking to reward your good deeds with candy while pelting you with lumps of coal when you screw up?
And with this question often comes another: Is it a sin to believe in Santa Claus?
Let’s consider this from a biblical perspective.
Hey, I’m Lauren, author of YA Christian fiction and blogger for teens with higher aim.
In This Article
Take the Test: Are You Naughty or Nice?
Maybe you’ve been pretty good this year. You cleaned your room when Mom asked you to, weren’t as snarky to your father, and held back from hitting your little brother when he broke your earbuds. You got A’s and B’s at school, never missed an assignment, and earned Employee of the Month at your job. You put money in the collection plate, sent valentines to elderly church members, and didn’t cheat on your boyfriend.
Except you snapped at your brother a lot, regularly gossiped with one of your friends, and let your eyes linger too long on a hot guy who wasn’t your boyfriend. Santa will understand, right?
What if he takes into account all the times your heart wasn’t in the right place, or the times when you were envious of someone, or the times you blew off a responsibility?
Would you still make the cut? Or is there a lump of coal in store for you after all?
This is where the difference between God and Santa comes into play.
How Good is Good Enough?
How many times can you hit your siblings or curse when you smash your finger and still be considered “good”?
How far can you go with your boyfriend?
What is the limit on the number of lies you can tell in a year?
When have you crossed the line of too many hateful thoughts?
God answered that question:
“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Matthew 5:48
You’re either perfect or you’re not—there’s no in-between.
In other words, once is too many. One lie, one word, one lustful look. You’re either perfect or you’re not—there’s no in-between.
If you somehow manage to spend the first fifty years of your life without sinning even once, then cheat the government a few pennies on your tax return, you’re on the Naughty List.
And everyone on the Naughty list belongs in hell.
Does that sound mean? It’s not, and if you consider the difference between God and Santa, you’ll understand why.
Black is Black, Love is Love—and Grace is Amazing
Santa says you need to be good, but he doesn’t give you an exact checklist of what “good” entails. He leaves you guessing, worrying if you’ve made the cut. And what if Santa is having a bad day when he makes his Naughty and Nice lists? He might be less likely to overlook that extra snarky remark you made to your boss.
Santa keeps you in limbo.
God, on the other hand, says you must be perfect, period. Perfect means no flaws, no weaknesses, no sins. Black is black, white is white, and gray areas do not exist. It’s all laid out so you can be certain.
Then he sent a substitute to achieve the impossible for you.
Someone who lived perfection all the way, who switched identities with you so you could assume his perfect status while he took on your flaws and brokenness. You don’t have to guess whether or not you’re “good enough” for God because you’ve been made perfect in his eyes by his own doing.
For you, heaven is guaranteed. That’s amazing grace.
But don’t take my word for it! See the proof in Romans 3:21-26 and Ephesians 2:1-10.
Never Doubt God’s Love For You
Love is patient, love is kind… it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
1 Corinthians 13:4-5
This excerpt comes from the most famous love passage, used in Christian weddings galore. I’ll bet even some non-Christians would recognize it. But consider the above alongside the following:
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins… God is love.
-1 John 4:9-10,16
It doesn’t say that “God has love,” or “God likes love”, but “God is love.” You can’t have God without love any more than you can have the sun without light. One is the very essence of the other. Therefore, 1 Corinthians could read something like this:
God is patient, God is kind… God is not self-seeking, God is not easily angered, God keeps no record of wrongs.
The Bible is very clear, and every story, psalm, and letter you find in it is another piece in the picture of God’s love. Remember that when you look at your life. You may not understand the struggles you’re facing, but if you look at them in the context of God’s love, you will start to see the work of his hand on your life and your heart. Never doubt God’s love for you.
Still have questions about God’s love? See How to Really, Truly Know God Loves You
The Difference Between God and Santa
The difference between God and Santa is huge. Santa loves you when you’re good. God loves you unconditionally. Santa is the merry grandpa with a rosy smile and a jolly ho-ho laugh. But it’s God, your Heavenly Father, who loves you enough to make his laws clear before bathing you in his gospel. You’re on the Nice List—the Perfect List—because of him.
May you cling to that promise as we celebrate our savior’s birth this Christmas!
Is It a Sin to Believe in Santa Claus?
As with the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny, Santa presents a conundrum for Christians. Should Christian parents allow their children to believe in Santa? I’m a big proponent of not making up rules where God hasn’t already made them, so rather than giving a solid yes or no on the issue of Santa, let me ask you this:
Do you really need Santa Claus to enhance your Christmas?
Sometimes we cling to popular ideals for fear of missing out on a certain experience. Like your childhood was incomplete if you never succumbed to the notion that your gifts came from a guy who sneaks into your house like a thief. Santa might be fun and games, but Christmas is already beautiful without him.
As Tony Reinke said in his article Rethinking Santa, “If being Jesus-focused is a killjoy for your Christmas, you don’t know him well.”
More on Christmas & God’s Love For Teens
You don’t have to have all the answers.
But, hey, why not?
Bring me your questions about faith, life, God, the Bible… and I’ll help you find the answers.
What joy, what comfort and peace we have in Jesus.
Merry Christmas, Lauren, Brian and family and a blessed New Year!
The best gift that we ever got! Merry Christmas!
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