I Believe in Jesus Christ–and Santa Clause

By Nicole Carpenter

Christmas was a big deal at my house growing up. My dad was quite the jolly ol’ elf. As soon as the first snow fell (often in October), his Christmas cassette tapes began playing everything from “Silver Bells” to “Silent Night.”

Christmas lights covered our home-inside and out, second only to Clark Griswold.

As children, we never missed a clay-mation Christmas special. I loved Christmas time. I loved Santa Clause.

We were also raised as Mormons, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And we knew the true meaning of Christmas actually centered on the birth of Jesus Christ.

The Book of Mormon teaches that, “We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.” [1]

There were two parts of Christmas I knew to be true: Santa Clause and Jesus Christ. What wasn’t so clear was how I could celebrate both and feel good about it. If I like Santa as much as I do, did that diminish my love for the Savior?

It wasn’t until I was a college freshman that it all became evident. In my campus bookstore I came across a book mapping out, in beautiful watercolor, the connection between Santa Clause and Jesus Christ.

I treasure my copy of “I Believe in Santa Claus.”[2] I’m not even sure it’s still in print. The author, Diane G. Adamson, places emphasis on the symbols of Christmas, like the candy cane, star and wreath. She reminds us of the correlation between each Christmas symbol and it’s relation to our Savior, and just how alike Santa Clause and Jesus Christ really are.

The book concludes, “Santa Clause is a symbol of Christmas…The symbols of Christmas remind me of Christ. So, I believe in Santa Claus.”

Now I’m a mother of four and Adamson’s book has a special place in our home at Christmas. Each time we read it, the relation between the two beloved Christmas figures resonates in my heart, particularly when I reflect on the symbol of the Christmas color red.

Just like Santa Clause wears red, our Savior wore red in the Garden of Gethsemane when “his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” [3]

Jesus wore red when the soldiers of the governor mocked him. “And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.” [4]

When the Savior comes again, He will wear red.[5]

As it was when I was a child, Christmas is a big deal in our house. A beautiful wreath hangs on our front door, reminding us of an Eternal love with no beginning and no end.  Our Christmas tree, decorated all in red, points heavenward, reminding us of the Savior’s sacrifice for all. Christmas lights on the home and in every room remind us that Jesus is the light of the world.[6] There are symbols of Christ everywhere.

My young children eagerly count down to Christmas Eve in anticipation of Santa’s visit. And I do too. Santa Clause wears red. He is the spirit of Christmas, of giving, happiness and good will to all.

I believe in Santa Clause.

Nicole Carpenter and her husband live in Syracuse, Utah. They are busy raising their four children, six years and younger (including identical twins).  Nicole is an entrepreneur, speaker, writer and blogger. To read more from Nicole, visit her blog:  www.MyEverythingElse.com